Nativity Scenes

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

~Luke 2:9-12

I’ve always loved Nativity Scenes.  They’re just so peaceful;  a sign of sweet innocence combined with strength and determination, and what could be more beautiful than that?  

It seems like these days everyone is so concerned about whether or not other people will approve of our actions and traditions that we lose sight of the fact that these things make us happy.  We’re so worried that our traditions are going to offend someone else that we forget that we hold them dear to us for personal reasons.  Traditions make up our lives and help define who we are. Not every life is the same.  Not every tradition is the same.  So why do we try and make everything uniform?   Why can’t everyone just mind their own business and be happy?  We change our traditions because we don’t want to offend others, but what does that do to us?  What is the point of singing Christmas carols if you can’t say “Christmas” because it might offend non- Christians?  That’s right, there isn’t one.

I’m not saying that we should just go through life doing what we want and not being considerate of others’ feelings, I’m just saying that we should try and be more accepting of the people and the cultures around us.

What harm will a Nativity Scene do in the grass in front of a church?  Sure, you may not celebrate Christmas, but if you try looking past the first layer of the scene and get to its true message then you don’t even have to think about the religious aspects of it.  Just focus on the universal message: the perfection of youthful innocence.  Is that so offensive?

“It is a fine thing to establish one’s own religion in one’s heart, not to be dependent on tradition and second-hand ideals. Life will seem to you, later, not a lesser, but a greater thing.” 

― D.H. Lawrence

***For a funny song that emphasizes my point, click here

It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

I’m finally getting into the Christmas spirit now that the temperature has decided to drop to a degree that is acceptable for winter months.. The first two weeks of December have been filled with 90 degree weather, and it’s kinda hard to be excited for Christmas when you’re walking around wearing shorts, lol:) For some reason 50 degree weather really makes it feel like Christmas for me.  (yes, my idea of cold starts at 65 degrees..  There are many reasons why I live down south (;  ) We’ve never had a legit White Christmas down here, but I can hope, right?

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the fact that the Christmas tree is up with all of its twinkling lights, and I have an excuse for lots of BOKEH! If you haven’t already noticed, I really, really, really love bokeh. : ) Something about it is just so magical for me, especially when it’s combined with Christmas.

Isn’t that just so much prettier than having a boring ole’ background?

When the tree comes out I run through the house and grab as many props that can be thrown on a table in front of it as I can.. So if you see five billion different pictures with the same background- that’s why.

Bokeh + ________ = Magic

Easiest equation ever.. Even I can remember it, and I’m certainly not a math whiz..

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

–Clement Clarke Moore

 Stay safe over the holidays, everyone!  I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!  Hug your loved ones and remember how blessed you are.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” 

― Bob Hope

An Inspiring Person: Here Comes Pancho Clos

Once upon a time, there was a magical man who spread joy and cheer to children all over the world. A jolly old man that everyone knows: Santa Claus. BUT, my story isn’t about him.

Have you ever wondered how Santa makes it all over the world in a single night? It’s a simple answer, really. His wonderful cousin, Pancho Clos. Santa and Pancho split up the load of gifts; wherever Santa and his reindeer can’t go, Pancho and his burros go, and vice versa.

Are you ready for some mind-blowing news? Pancho Clos is real, and he’s disguised as my high school Spanish teacher. I’m not even kidding.

Today Senor took some students from his classes along with some members of our Spanish club to go on the most amazing trip ever. We started our day off by going downtown to Haven for Hope and unloading a trunk full of food at their kitchen. After that we went to St. PJ’s Children’s Home where we sang Christmas carols with the kids and put a puppet show on for the children that are living there before Pancho Clos (Senor) and his burros (we students) g handed out gifts.  The joy on their faces (well, the ones that weren’t crying because the big man in the white beard scared them) gave me the most amazing feeling of warmth inside that I’ve ever experienced. You never fully comprehend how blessed you are in life until you see children get so excited over such simple pleasures. Before our trip, Senor tried explaining to me what I was going to see, but hearing about it and seeing it are two completely different things. I was expecting them to be happy, I mean it’s Christmas, who wouldn’t be excited? But their expressions were just the most amazing things you’ll ever see on a little person’s face. There aren’t words that can truly describe it because sometimes, words just can’t explain everything.

If you want to be technical, there isn’t a jolly old man chillin in the North Pole, nor does his equally jolly primo live in the South Pole, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t believe. Why? Because even though my Spanish teacher isn’t technically one of those amazing men, he’s pretty dang close. Think about it, the whole point of Santa Claus and Pancho Clos is to bring people peace, joy, and love. Personally, I think that Senor is doing a terrific job at bringing my community all three. You see, it doesn’t take having flying reindeer or magic elves to make someone’s life a little bit better. It takes just a small amount of effort and will power, because those two things can go a very long way.

So, this week I have a challenge to anyone and everyone that sees this post. Do something to bring joy to another person. You don’t have to know them, and you don’t have to dress up as Santa and deliver gifts to an orphanage, any act makes a tremendous difference, no matter how great or small. Better than that, challenge yourself to do so periodically. Volunteer to do something in your community. Animal shelters, libraries, churches… It’s not like they’ll turn you down.  This blog isn’t just about my story. Life is about trying to make a difference in this messed up world. So why wait?

“If you can’t do great things, Mother Teresa used to say, do little things with great love. If you can’t do them with great love, do them with a little love. If you can’t do them with a little love, do them anyway.
Love grows when people serve.”
― John Ortberg

P.S.  Did you know that Play Doh is edible ? 😉

 *this is an inside joke… PLEASE do not try eating Play Doh..

The Girl Behind the Camera

Hi!  My name is Cassie, and I’m a self-taught fifteen year old with a passion for photography… But you already knew that.  The first thing that you should know about me is that I’m really bad at writing about myself.  So if my posts ever sound awkward, that’s why.

Fun Facts About Me? This should be good..

1.) I started teaching myself about photography in the fifth grade.

2.) Self portraits are extremely frustrating for me.  I’d rather be behind the camera than in front of it.

3.) I love helping other people.

4.)  I absolutely love anything  that has to do with  Disney.

5.)  I’m in my school’s choir, but I can’t sing 😉

6.)  I love to read and write, but I hate to combine the two and annotate  (who doesn’t?)

7.) Speaking of, I think that it’s important to note that ‘annotating’ and ‘fun’ should never, ever be used in the same sentence… Unless you’re saying something like “It would be fun to throw that book I’m annotating down the garbage disposal.”

8.)  All I have to do is clean my room to find exciting new things, so there’s no point in shopping.

9.)  It’s gotten to where my three-year old cousin sees me and immediately asks where my camera is.

10.)  I’m usually pretty happy, unless I have to wake up early.  I am not a morning person. At all.

11.)   Some of my best memories come from the Teen ACTS Retreats that I have been on through church.  If you ever have the opportunity to go on one, you should.

12.)  I love to try to inspire other people.

13.)  I do my best writing when it’s late.. My brain comes up with some pretty interesting points when I’m tired.

14.)  I’d say that I’m a “farm girl,”  but technically, it’s a ranch 😛

15.)  Being able to fill in that I speak two languages on surveys makes me feel so cool.

15.)  My friends mean the world to me.  Without them I would most likely be just a little insane.

16.)  Have I mentioned that I’m really bad at writing about myself?