T’was the Night Before Christmas…10 of My Favourite Christmas Quotes

Photo: Commons Wikimedia
Photo: Commons Wikimedia

Three days from Christmas Eve and I still need to remind myself that Christmas is upon us. The Christmas feeling of excitement  I usually get this time of year has been very slow in arriving this year. I am not sure why. I don’t know whether it’s because I have had my fair share of bereavement in 2015 and don’t feel much like celebrating, or whether I have arrived at the end of the year feeling tired. It certainly took my husband and I a long time to finally decide to decorate our Christmas tree, but I am glad we made the effort. Our home now has a warm, cosy and comforting feeling.

I was trying to think what to write in my last post before Christmas that wasn’t tinged with sadness, and after much thought, I decided to find out what Christmas means to people. I researched quotes by different people that have been recorded in song, poetry, literature or hearsay and picked 10 of my favourite. Some are funny and some are poignant. I’d like to share them here with you.

The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung. (Phillip Brooks)

Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart. (Freya Stark)

There are some people who want to throw their arms (hug) round you simply because it is Christmas; there are other people who want to strangle you simply because it is Christmas. (Robert Staughton Lynd)

Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.(Thomas S. Monson)

It is a fine seasoning for joy to think of those we love. (Moliere)


Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store. (Dr Seuss)


Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone. (Charles M. Schulz)

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. (Charles Dickens)

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.(Shirley Temple)

T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. (Clement Clarke Moore)

Aside from the chaos of cooking, present buying, and those annoying distant relatives (!), Christmas should be a time when we reflect on what is good in our lives and find the strength to deal with the difficulties that we inevitably have. With that in mind, I wish those of you who celebrate a magical and reflective Christmas.

Merry Christmas, folks.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

20 phrases for closing an email..

A common problem We often hear how writing emails in English can cost just too much time. One solution that works for many people is to begin building a “toolbox” of useful phrases. A toolbox is a simple idea – you just start keeping a list of common and useful expressions – perhaps on your desktop or in a notebook next to your keyboard? There’s nothing wrong with reusing some standard phrases if it helps save you time and communicate clearly. You probably already have 2 or 3 sentences you reuse again and again. But sometimes the tone just isn’t right, is it? To help you find the right words when you need them here are 20 great expressions for closing an email. As you read through them ask yourself two simple questions: 1. When would I use this? 2. When will I use this? Expressions for thanking Thank you for your help. / time / assistance / support I really appreciate the help. / time / assistance / support you’ve given me. Thank you once more for your help in t
Read more

A2 Reading: Daily Routine

Read the information about Paula and answer the questions. A day in the life of Paula Radcliffe - Marathon Runner 8.30am Sometimes, my daughter Isla wakes me and my husband, Gary, up, or, more often, we wake her up. After I get up, I always check my pulse. It's usually 38-40 beats per minute. If it is too high, I rest for the day. It's so important to listen to my body. I have a drink and a snack while giving Isla her breakfast. 9.30am We take Isla to nursery and then I start my training. I run, and Gary rides his bike next to me and gives me drinks. Four times a week, I have a cold bath or go for a swim in a lake after training. 12.30pm I pick up Isla from nursery and we go home and I eat a big lunch of cereal and fruit. Then I have rice and salmon, or toast and peanut butter. I try to eat as soon as possible after training. After lunch, I play with my daughter. 2pm I have a nap in the afternoon, and Gary usually takes Isla out while I s
Read more

Formal and Informal Email Phrases – from Greetings to Closing Phrases!

Image
In this article, you’ll find examples of language that are commonly used in different types of emails, and hopefully, you’ll find the most appropriate one for your message. The examples are labelled ’ formal ’ and ’ informal ’- please note that most informal expressions are perfectly suitable to use in ’semi-formal’ situations, such as between business associates who have worked together for some time and have established a good relationship. GREETINGS Formal Dear Sir/ Madam, Dear Sir or Madam, To whom it may concern: (especially AmE) Dear Mr/ Ms Jones, Dear Dr Smit h, (note: First names are NOT used. Using Miss or Mrs to address a woman  is not appropriate, as you don’t know whether she’s married or not) Informal Hi Dennis, Hello Claire, Dear Mum, (note: salutations are followed by a (,) comma , exception: ’To whom it may concern:’) REASON FOR WRITING / REPLYING Formal I am writing to make a reservation/ to apply for the position of…/ to confirm
Read more