The background music will play once, then stop.  If you wish to hear it again, refresh your browser.  The song is the Ukranian version of "Ring Bells at Christmas."

Christmas, my favorite time of the year... Undoubtedly Christmastime is the most benevolent time of the year.  Though the Christmas season has become quite commercial with stores displaying Christmas decorations as early as October, few would doubt the reason for Chirstmas is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the beginning of Christianity.  Before you email me, yes I am aware that we are not sure of the exact date when Jesus was born. Some say it was during the spring months, but it is by tradition that was established more than 2,000 years ago that we celebrate His birth in December. Christians and many non-Christians know the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethleham 2,007 years ago, His life and death on the cross to save our souls and his ascension into heaven, our Easter celebration.  But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.  We're commemorating His birth and what it means to the world and to you. For Christians and non-Christians the videos and links will add to your understanding of Jesus and of Christianity. And, yes, Santa Claus is here along with many Christmas traditions that compliment our celebration for this most wonderful time of the year.  However you spend Christmastime, I hope you open your heart to everyone in your family, to your circle of friends, to strangers, and most of all to Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas ~ Joanne ~ Jesus is The Reason for the Season ~ The HOPE blends the elegance and visual power of a major motion picture with the intimacy of a private conversation.   Narrated by actor Dean Jones and presenting the story accurately and in chronological order. Great for all ages. Want to know how to be saved?   Are You Going to Heaven? Are you SURE you know the answer this extremely important question?   ~ Wise Men Still Seek Him. ~ ~ Then centuries later along came Santa Claus and his reindeer. ~ St. Nicholas was a man of faith who lived his life in devotion to Christ. Saint Nicholas loved children and cared for the needy. He brings the love of Christ and the healing of Jesus. When we honor this saint, follow his example of selfless giving, we honor the Christ Child who selflessly gave the greatest gift of all—himself.  Read the evolution of St. Nicholas into today's Santa Claus:  Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus and see the Timeline of St. Nicholas Tracking Santa Claus ... You can track Santa Claus from when he leaves the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  Detecting Santa all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System.  It is available in the following languages: Deutsch, English,  Español, Français, Italiano, and Japanese.  Just click the "Track Santa" image. For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa. The tradition began after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. store advertisement for children to call Santa on a special "hotline" included an inadvertently misprinted telephone number. Instead of Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, received the first "Santa" call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born. This powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole on Christmas Eve. NORAD receives record number of Santa inquiries Questions for Santa ...  As you know,  this is Santa's busiest time of the year. But if it’s re ally important, click here to send Santa an email. His helpers will be sure he gets it. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."   ~ From Francis Pharcellus Church, an editor with the New York Sun, 1897, responding to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon Read Virginia's letter and the editor's reply.  A very heartwarming letter.   ~ San Francisco's 2007 Window Wonderland ~ 49ers Star Steve Young Unveils Macy’s Famous Holiday Windows Featuring Adoptable Cats and Dogs from the San Francisco SPCA WHAT's Happening Now? “The Magic of Christmas” starts at Macy’s! Get first look at Macy’s famous holiday windows.  Once again, Macy’s partners with the San Francisco SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to give homeless cats and dogs a second chance to find loving homes. Noted Macy's is one of USA Today’s "10 Great Places to Press Your Nose Against the Glass." (click here to see the complete list) Macy’s pet-friendly holiday windows inspired the adoption of 200 animals and over $25,000 in donations for the SPCA last year.                   DETAILS: This year, windows titled "The Magic of Christmas" will feature six five-foot diameter snow globes set within a panorama of San Francisco landmarks, from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge, from the Ferry Building to Twin Peaks. The globes will house the live dogs and cats within a setting saluting San Francisco holiday traditions, including A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Beach Blanket Babylon, and of course, the Macy’s tree lighting in Union Square. The centerpiece of the windows will be an animated ice rink complete with skating dogs and cats. All of the "creature" comforts are provided for our companions, including temperature control, hidden litter boxes, and comfy spots for those quick catnaps. The animals will be on view daily from when the store open to an hour before it closes. San Francisco SPCA representatives will be on site at Macy’s Union Square while the pets are on display to answer questions from potential adopters. Every adoptable animal has been medically screened, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and spayed or neutered. Each animal comes with a 30-day medical assistance plan at the SF/SPCA infirmary, plus a gift bag filled with samples, treats and valuable certificates from sponsor partners of the SF/SPCA and Macy’s. Can’t get enough of that cute doggie in the window? Visit SFspca.org to watch live Web Cam footage of your favorite adoptable SF/SPCA animals at play in Macy’s holiday windows. WHERE: Macy’s Union Square’s Stockton & O’Farrell Street Windows, San Francisco, CA WHEN: The windows will be available from now until January 1, 2008  ~ Christmas Tree at Union Square ~ The 85-foot tall fir tree, sponsored by Macy’s, is from Mount Shasta and has 22,000 energy saving L.E.D lights. The annual tree lighting benefits sick children with proceeds going to the UCSF Children’s Hospital. ”To support end-of-life care at UCSF Children’s Hospital we sell lights on Macy’s Christmas tree here in Union Square,” said Roxanne Fernandez, executive director of the children’s hospital. “100 Percent of the $10 donation for the light goes to help the kids, and their families at the hospital.” Entertainment included the cast of "Jersey Boys", and the San Francisco Boys Chorus.   ~ Fruitcake ~ Love it or hate it everyone seems to have a story about fruitcake.  I happen to be one of those who loves a good fruit cake.  Notice the word good?  That's the key.  My daughter bought me a fruitcake from Collin Street Bakery and with one bite I fell in love.  Sure, there have been a lot of fruitcakes I've tossed in the trash, but not the ones from Collin Street Bakery or the ones I have on our "Hard to Find Wonderful Things" page. The oldest reference to fruitcake dates back to Roman times. The recipe included pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins mixed into barley mash. Honey, spices, and preserved fruits were added during the Middle Ages. Crusaders and hunters were reported to have carried this type of cake to sustain themselves over long periods of time away from home.  In the 1400s the British began their love affair with fruitcake when dried fruits from the Mediterranean first arrived.  By the 1700s Europe had a ceremonial type of fruitcake that was baked at the end of the nut harvest, then saved and eaten the next year to celebrate the beginning of the next harvest, hoping it would bring them another successful harvest.  The previous year's fruitcakes were eaten as a superstitious hope that by eating it would insure another successful harvest In the early 18th century, fruitcake was referred to as plum cake and was outlawed entirely throughout Continental Europe. These cakes were considered "sinfully rich" and by t he end of that century laws restricted the use of plum cake. From 1837 and 1901 fruitcake became very popular.  A Victorian "Tea" would not have been complete without the addition of fruitcake.  Queen Victoria is said to have waited a year to eat a fruitcake she received for her birthday because she felt it showed restraint, moderation and good taste.  It was the custom in England for unmarried wedding guests to put a slice of the cake, traditionally a dark fruitcake, under their pillow at night so they would dream of the person they would someday marry. ~ Gingerbread Houses ~ The making of Gingerbread in North America began with the early settlers from all parts of Northern Europe.  They brought their family recipes and customs for the making of this spicy-sweet treat. Gingerbread houses built by my granddaughters For the most part American Gingerbread recipes call for fewer spices than their European counterparts as bakers could not get the array of spices common in Europe and their region in America. For example, Maple syrup gingerbreads were made in New England while in the South sorghum molasses was used. Regional variations began occurring as more people arrived from Europe. In Pennsylvania, the influence of German cooking was great and many traditional Germany gingerbreads reappeared in this area, especially at Christmas time. Make a gingerbread house and so much more.  Step by step instructions and photos will guarantee your success in building your own Gingerbread House by HGTV's Gingerbread House Chef Aaron Morgan Just for fun, try your hand at decorating this Interactive Gingerbread House. ~ Historic White House Gingerbread Houses ~   Tour the gingerbread houses of  the nation's Presidents were created by White House staff members and displayed in a wintry forest throughout the rooms of the White House.  See all fifteen. It's quite a treat.   ~ Poinsettia ~ The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also known as the Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, Winter rose, Noche Buena or Pascua, is a sub-tropical plant known for its striking red displays at Christmastime. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825. ~ Care of Poinsettias ~ Only water when the surface soil is dry to the touch.  Then water until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. Discard the water that collects in the saucer. Do not leave the plant standing in water. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury. A wilted plant may drop its leaves prematurely, so check the soil frequently. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. If wilting does occur, immediately water as described above, and 5 minutes later water again. Place your plant near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees F, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this. Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may cause premature leaf drop. An excellent guide to keep your Poinsettia so it will reflower next Christmas includes step-by-step pictures ~ Poinsettia Trivia ~ Toxicity - Poinsettias are not poisonous. Even though they are a Euphorbia and have a milky sap, there reputation for being a dangerous plant is totally unfounded. Some people may experience some sensitivity to the sap. If exposed simply wash your hands with soap and water. Bracts - What we commonly call flowers are in fact bracts which are modified leaves. This is not an uncommon plant feature. Plants such as bougainvillea and dogwood also use bracts to show off their colors. Cyathia - The true flowers of the poinsettia are small, yellow, round and located in the center of the showy colored bracts. They will fall away in a week or two and leave the bracts. If the cyathia are missing or are being dropped, the poinsettia is not at it prime and should be avoided.   ~ Mistletoe ~ Kissing under the Mistletoe has long been a Christmas tradition.  Using Misteltoe in winter celebrations dates by to Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe had  magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace. Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year. Mistletoe Q & A Wanna be prepared to do a little kissing, but can't find mistletoe in your neighborhood? Don't worry, you can buy Mistletoe online.   ~ Energy efficient yard decorating ~ If you're decorating the outside of your house this holiday season, you might be like most of us concerned about the high cost of electricity.  Well, not anymore!    I want you to meet your new best friend in holiday decorating . . . LED lights. LED yard lights  burn just a fraction of the energy of regular lights.  Hardware to make dazzling light displays:  http://www.Lightorama.com Woodcraft Holiday Decorations for your yard All sorts of lighted holiday yard decorations http://www.PlanetChristmas.com http://www.ChristmasDoneBright.com  http://www.ChristmasDecor.net Christmas Inflatables for your yard Inflatables for your holiday yard decorating.   And, Disney Inflatables  ~ Favorite Foods for The Christmas Season ~ We also have a nice collection of recipes in our  Cyber Kitchen including downloadable cooking and baking booklets.  And we have a tasty collection of Christmas recipes Here's a good source for recipes for your heritage: European or African or Asian and Pacific Islands or North and South American Native Recipes or Jewish Recipes and Jewish Cooking in America.  Everyone needs to know how to Roast Chestnuts, right? If for no other reason than to say we know how to do it.  Believe it or not, It's simple and here's how to do it. Buy 2 pounds chestnuts in shells Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Slit the skin of each nut with an X to allow the steam to escape as they cook. Put nuts on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes. When nuts are cool enough to touch, grasp the curling skin, and peel.   It is time to say farewell ... Before you leave, a Christmas Card for you.  I hope you enjoyed our Christmas celebration.  May you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!  Joanne and P.S. To hear the music again, click refresh at the top of your screen.   Joanne L. Gardiner, Broker, e-PRO Advantage Realty Advantage Mortgage Associates 3205 Whipple Road - Union City, California 94587 (510) 429-4800 San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate San Francisco East Bay Real Estate Have a question?  Like our site?  Sign Guestbook   This ChristmasWebring site owned by Joanne Gardiner. Previous| Next| Random Site | List Sites | Join ~ The Birth of Christ ~ “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” -- ISAIAH 9:6 Better understanding of the birth of Christ The History of Christmas by the History Channel Christ-Centered Online Mall  Salvation Prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had roll'd along th' unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bow'd my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." 'Til ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow         first published in 1863 Richard's Promotional Products "For the Good Goods" Visit my brother's online store.  He features many items made in the U.S.A.     ~ The Christmas Tree ~ In the 7th century St. Boniface, a monk from Crediton, Devonshire traveled to Germany to teach the Word of God.  He used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung upside-down from ceilings at Christmastime throughout Central Europe as a symbol of Christianity. Then in the 1500's the trees were turned upright and decorated with paper, fruits and sweets. Then in 1600's trees were decorated with ribbon, tin shapes, small books and lace as well as food,  In the 1700's candles adorned the trees.  In 1851 Mark Carr opened a retail Christmas Tree lot in New York City, the first in the United States. And in 1856, Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brought the first Christmas Tree into the White House. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White house lawn.   Today there are approximately 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year.  The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington. (See a Complete List of all 50 states ranked by several variables.) The top selling Christmas Trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. You'll find good information for your beloved Christmas Tree at  How Christmas Trees Work as it provides an avalanche of interesting information and photos about Christmas trees: fresh cut, living, or artificial.  The California Christmas Tree Association has a listing of all the certified Christmas Tree Farms in the state, plus information on where to find certified trees and how to choose a tree.  Take a day trip to a California Christmas Tree Farm or to tree farms in other states.   Get Real This Christmas! YouTube Video Contest NCTA is introducing an exciting new contest for the 2007 Christmas season!   Tell us why a Real Christmas Tree is the best choice this holiday season and you could win cash prizes up to $500!  Click Here     "I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harlan Miller "Jersey Boys" is now playing at the Curran   Jersey Boys Main Web Site Note from Joanne:  I saw Jersey Boys in December 2006 and it was spectacular.  I saw it again this past summer and again it was spectacular.  And, now I am thinking I just might go and see it again.     ~ 2007 White House Christmas ~ This year's theme is  Holiday in the National Parks Watch this short video  of  Mrs. Bush accepting this year's Christmas Tree  Laura Bush shows off the White House Christmas Tree during a press preview of the holiday decorations Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, in the Blue Room. Decorated with 347 ornaments honoring the nation’s national parks, the tree is an 18-foot Fraser fir presented to Mrs. Bush by Joe Freeman and Linda Jones of Laurel Springs, N.C. White House photo by Shealah Craighead Click the image to watch a video of this year's gingerbread and white chocolate house. Laura Bush stands with White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses during the press preview Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, in the State Dining Room. They discussed the gingerbread White House. Based on a foundation of gingerbread, the structure consists of 300 pounds of white chocolate and gingerbread. White House photo by Shealah Craighead White House Christmas 2007 White HouseTree  |  Presidential Holiday Cards  |  National Tree  |  Menorah Lighting  | Mrs. Bush's Hot Chocolate Recipe  |  Mrs. Bush's other recipes. Take a fascinating tour of Past White House Christmas Trees.  You can order a White House ornament for your very own Christmas tree. Enjoy the spectacular 360 degree tours of the famous rooms in The White House that are all decked out for Christmas.  East Room | Green Room | Blue Room | Red Room | State Dining Room | Center & Cross Halls.     Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~ Oren Arnold ~ Candy Canes ~   Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherds' crooks. In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the red and white stripes and peppermint flavors became the norm. For 200 years, the candy cane came only in one color — white National Candy Cane Day is celebrated December 26th in the United States The world's largest candy cane was created by Paul Ghinelli and measured 58 feet 2 1/4 inches Each year 1.76 billion candy canes are made — enough to stretch from Santa Clause, IN to North Pole, AK and back again 32 times. Buy Hammond's candy canes online       "Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day." ~ Helen Steiner Rice ~ Ribbon Candy ~ Ribbon Candy, a colorful “twisted Christmas candy”, was invented in Winsted in 1883, by Henry O. Atkins. Mr. Atkins opened his own shop in 1887, and named it “Atkins’ Kandy Kitchen”. It stayed in business in downtown Winsted, Connecticut until 1970. Hammond Candy in Colorado is a good source for buying ribbon candy online.   ~ Christmas Around The World ~ Christmas Traditions Around the World Merry Christmas . . . In which language might you like to say this heartwarming greeting? How about saying Merry Christmas in 350 languages? A pickle ornament on Christmas Trees A pickle used as an ornament on the Christmas tree seems odd at first, but this is an old German tradition. When decorating the Christmas tree, it was a practice to hang the pickle ornament last, hidden among the twigs.  The first child on Christmas Eve to find the Christmas pickle ornament would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.”  Buy an authentic pickle ornament made in Germany Fun Stuff Big kids and adults can play this Christmas word search game online.  Visit the Wilstar Christmas site for games, puzzles and more. Here's an interactive puzzle with a special message just for you. Take a break and enjoy these little flash shows  or make paper snowflakes while watching TV.  Christmas Carols  - A site devoted to giving lyrics to classic Christmas carols. Be sure to read the story of The Night Before Christmas.  Christmas stories from around the world More online Christmas Stories Enjoy this adorable interactive card from Dan Klimek and also from Barbara Jones.  And also enjoy The Snowdog - animated e-card by Jacquie Lawson.  Send your online friends and family lovely Christmas Cards free with no strings attached from the folks at Mt. Shasta, California.  And, for the classiest cards on the net, see Jacquie Lawson's awesome creations.