Christmas Newsletter 2009

Flair For Writing Newsletter Christmas 2009
Editor: Megan Princess Megan Rose 11 Years
Assistant Editor: Angel Angel


Season's Greetings Everyone! Megan and Angel here. Another year has gone by. It is cold and we have had some snow in Indiana. So, has Angel in Illinois. Angel just got a new computer. I wish Santa would drop one off at my house. Is Everyone ready for Christmas? I have my tree and decorations up. Angel has her tree and decorations up, too. This newsletter is about Saint Nicholas. I found this item interesting. I got the information from: Encyclopedia of CHRISTMAS By: Tanya Gulevich I totally love this book. Angel wrote a short story and I know you will enjoy it. Angel made all the sigs used in this newsletter. Let's get started. We will start off with Saint Nicholas. Course we all know and love him as Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas lived in the late third and early fourth centuries. Not much is known about his life. He became one of Europe's most non-biblical saints. In France and Germany, more then two thousand churches carry the saint's name. St. Nicholas was the CHRISTMAS SEASON gift bringer in parts of northern Europe. St. Nicholas became Santa Claus in the United States. His old dutch name was Sinterklass. One of my bosses Marie, a nurse at work is Dutch and she told me about Santa Claus being called Sinterklass. Her mother lived in Holland when she was a little girl. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated December 6.

Nicholas was born in Turkey. He was born around 280 A.D. and died around 343. He was a bishop of Myra, a town in Turkey which later became Demre. He is credited with miraculous deeds.

St. Nicholas saved three sisters from an evil fate. The three sisters had no dowry so the father wanted to sell them into prostitution. How awful! Nicholas took a small bag of gold to the family's house and threw down a chimney or possibly through an open window. The father used it to pay for the dowry of the eldest girl. Nicholas provided dowries for the second and third daughter in the same way. The father caught Nicholas throwing money through the window the third time and thanked him for his kindness. Nicholas asked the father not to tell anyone.

This is believed to have started the tradition of Christmas stockings and the exchanging of gifts at Christmas. Three bags of gold became the emblem of the saint. They later became three gold balls and were used as a symbol for a pawn shop.

Saint Nicholas rescued sailors from storms at sea, returned the kidnapped, defended those falsely accused of crimes and fought against evil spirits associated with pagan deities as Artemis. Christians recognized Nicholas as the patron of seafarers. Saint Nicholas helped everyone and was a nice man to have in your corner.

Over the centuries, Santa Claus stories have changed. We all grew up believing that he lived in the North Pole with Mrs. Claus, reindeer, elves and brings us presents at Christmas. Santa will live in out hearts forever. Don't you love Christmas cards and pictures where Santa kneels by Jesus' manager? I do!

Next, I am happy to present Angel's story. It is cute and I get mentioned. So read on.

Angel's Christmas Story

Elf For A Day

Angel was not happy. It seemed like everyone in the whole world was having a good time. Everyone else, that is. Nothing was going right today.

"I can't fine my Poser 7. Megan can't come over and play. Now, I have to stay here with a baby sitter."

It was a new baby sitter, not even someone familiar. It was two days before Christmas, too! This time of the year was supposed to be special!

"You look like you could use some cheering up." the baby sitter said. "Would you like to play with this snowglobe?"

Angel walked closer. The bay sitter smiled and handed Angel the snowglobe. "Turn in over and watch the snow fall, she said, her eyes twinkling. "It's Santa's Village-Santa's Secret Village. This is where Santa, his elves and his reindeer live."

Angel picked up the snowglobe and shook it until it was filled with floating snowflakes. There were little buildings inside and-look, there was a reindeer and a tiny elf. They looked so real!

Suddenly, Angel had the strangest feeling as though something wonderful was about to happen.

Angel blinked. Snow was falling and voices were laughing. What had happened?
"Welcome to Santa's Secret Village, Angel," said a cheerful grown up voice. Angel looked up into the smiling, bearded face of Santa Claus! "You're our honorary elf for the day! These are my elves." Santa added, looking around at the little people around them.

One elf handed Angel a green jacket and a funny looking pair of shoes. "Hi, my name is Bud. Just put these on over your clothes. They're woven with North Pole fleece and they will keep you warm here in Santa's Secret Village." Angel quickly pulled on the elf clothes.

"There!" said Bud. "You could almost pass for one of us!"

Santa placed a red and green striped elf hat on Angel's head and said, "I have to go check on my reindeer now but I will see you later. Have fun!"

Bud took Angel to Santa's Workshop where elves were assembling and painting all kinds of toys.

"I bet all the kids in Springfield, IL combined don't have this many toys!" said Angel.

Burt, the elf in charge of the toy production showed Angel how to make a toy robot. "Very good!: said Burt, admiring Angel's wotk. "You can be my helper any time!"

Next Bud took Angel to the Mail Room, where Bif was surrounded by mailbags overflowing with letters.

"Hi Angel, Santa told me you might drop by. I sure could use some help sorting the letters today. It's getting close to Christmas Eve and we don't want anyone to be disappointed Christmas morning!"

Soon Bud and Angel were helping Bif open envelopes and sort the mail for Santa to read. Angel looked for letters from Megan and other kids back in Springfield, IL but there were just too many letters to read and Angel was only 11 anyway!

When they finished, the three hurried to Mrs. Claus' kitchen where other elves were eating lunch. "Hi Angel" they called. "How do you like being an elf?"

"I love it!" replied Angel. What a morning! Wouldn't Angel's family be surprised if they could see Mrs. Claus standing here serving lunch and cookies to Angel and a kitchen full of elves!

After lunch, Bif went back to the Mail Room but Bud and Angel stayed to help make cookies. Mrs. Claus even let them eat cookies right out of the oven. Yum!

Bud led Angel to the Reindeer Barn explaining that he learned how to groom reindeer at the Elf Academy. I can show how it's done!" said Bud.

Soon Angel was handling the brush with ease. After brushing each reindeer's coat, Angel polished their antlers and then fed them carrots. The reindeer quickly grew fond of their new caretaker.

"I see you've made friends with my reindeer," said Santa walking into the barn. Santa then spoke in a low voice to the reindeer. Angel wasn't sure but it sounded like he was talking in a special reindeer language. The reindeer perked up their ears and their hooves danced in place as though any second they would take flight!

"Angel," Santa said. "You have been a great honorary elf today and you have been good all year, too- we want to give you a special treat. Would you like to ride on one of our reindeer?"

"Oh, yes! cried Angel jumping up and down with excitement. Santa sat Angel on top of the little reindeer called Raymond and gave the reindeer his instructions. Raymond pranced around then leaped into the air taking Angel for an exciting ride over the village.

"That was more fun then computers, sighed Angel. "Oh, Santa thank you so much for bringing me here!"

"We've enjoyed having you here today," said SAnta. "Come back and be an elf with us again! Now, I have to check my list and it's almost time for you to go home but first Bud take Angel to the Clubhouse and play for awhile."

Angel was getting tired and it was time for supper back in Springfield, IL. How would Angel get home?

At the Clubhouse, the elves showed Angel their toys and books. Angel spotted a snow globe in the table and picked it up. "How strange," thought Ange;. "That tiny town inside looks like mine."

"Wake up. It's time for supper." Angel blinked and looked around. This wasn't Santa's village.

"You're back home," said the baby sitter. Your family is back, too. and it's time for me to go. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. "Here, this is for you" She held out the snowglobe. "Santa wants you to have it-so you can visit again."

So it wasn't a dream! Angel was so happy! What a wonderful day it had been. This was going to be the best Christmas ever!

THE END!

Thanks, Angel. I loved this story and I am sure everyone else will, too. Angel and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Let's pray for Peace. Until next year, Love: Megan and Angel


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