What do you look forward to most at Christmas?

I enjoy going to church & listening to the message about Jesus. The hymns-O Holy Night, Away in a Manger & Hark the Herald Angels Sing are some of my favorites. I love seeing the wide eyed wonder in the kids eyes, the smell of gingerbread and caroling with friends.

This is something else that I look forward to at Christmas, reading stories that remind of what Christmas is about: Originally posted by Joseph J. Mazzella, for Sunny Skyz.

 

"Christmas is no fun when you're poor", I thought to myself as I slowly climbed the steps to my cold, damp apartment. I was a young, struggling, substitute teacher whose calls into work had been few and far between. Money was tight, bills were due, and it was Christmastime. My wife and I couldn't even afford to get gifts for each other and the only gifts we could get for our young daughter and son were a few stuffed animals that I had found on sale.

 

I opened the door to the apartment and brought in the gifts I had hidden in our old car's trunk until Christmas. Then I handed them to my 4 year old son and 18 month old daughter. I watched with a sad smile while they did their best to tear off the wrapping paper. As they pulled out their toys, though, I noticed their own smiles grow wide. Their eyes lit up and they jumped up and down with glee. My daughter happily hugged her stuffed animal and then hugged her Mom and me as well. I laughed as I watched my children play with their stuffed animals for hours that day, and I thanked God for the greater gift they had given me.

 

It has been over twenty years now but I still remember that Christmas like it was yesterday. It was one of those special days that stays in your heart and soul forever. It was one of those special moments that helps to shape the rest of your life. I still cherish the gift of pure love that my son and daughter gave me that day. I still strive to share it in my own life as well.

 

The great inspirational author Leo Buscaglia once wrote that: "There is no lesser or greater gift if the gift is love." In truth, the most priceless gift of all time was a gift of love from God given to us as a poor baby warmed in the hay of a manger. It was a gift that changed the world forever. It was a gift that showed us all how to live and how to love. May your every Christmas be rich in love and may all your days be full of goodness and joy."

What do you look forward to most at Christmas?

I enjoy going to church & listening to the message about Jesus. The hymns-O Holy Night, Away in a Manger & Hark the Herald Angels Sing are some of my favorites. I love seeing the wide eyed wonder in the kids eyes, the smell of gingerbread and caroling with friends.

 

You seem just too good to be true. But I believe you are just that---very good.

I agree with you about this time of year. I don't go to church all that often but I enjoy going to some of the Christmas plays and watching the little ones act out their roles in the Christmas story. I enjoy hearing the hymns, particularly the ones you mentioned. I love those. While I am not very religious, I am,nevertheless, very spiritual. I love to tap into my spiritual side this time of year and connect with the good energy of the Universe. Plus, I love all the yummy food and sharing holiday dinner with family and friends. I wish you a very blessed holiday season. I'm sure you bless all of those that have the pleasure of being around you.

Love the Christmas music on the radio and in the stores. Love to watch the kids' church plays/programs. Really enjoy the Christmas Eve service we have at our church late on Christmas Eve night.

Midnight Mass... especially in a beautiful old church with the lights kept fairly low and all the candles burning. If I’m really lucky, a talented choir singing “O Magnum Mysterium” or something similar.

 

I’m going to miss my traditional Norwegian Christmas Eve dinner this year since I’ll be spending Christmas Eve with my lady friend’s family. They’re Italian and I’m pretty sure we’re having lasagna which seems pretty strange to me but I’d imagine most everyone here would think that my normal Christmas Eve of meatballs, ribs, and potato flatbread would seem pretty strange.

 

I’m at least hoping to continue my Christmas Eve tradition of coming home after midnight mass and opening a dark, spiced Christmas beer to celebrate the glorious night. Warm fire, cold beer, and some Christmas music in the background. It’s near perfect.

What do you look forward to most at Christmas?

I enjoy going to church & listening to the message about Jesus. The hymns-O Holy Night, Away in a Manger & Hark the Herald Angels Sing are some of my favorites. I love seeing the wide eyed wonder in the kids eyes, the smell of gingerbread and caroling with friends.

 

Oh Holy Night has always been a favorite. I saw this young lady at church in Corbin two years ago. She was visiting from Carolina and sang this song. This version has a rather modern interpretation at the end but I like it. Roseangela has a great voice.

I look forward to Christmas being over. Does that count?!

I look forward to Christmas being over. Does that count?!

 

Christmas is never over!

I like to hear the Christmas music. We listen to 94.5 fm Lexington quite a lot during the holidays. I enjoy the different versions of “O Holy Night” by different artists.

Also been listening to Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas CD from a couple years ago. That girl can sing with the best of them!

I got together with friends yesterday for a cookie & candy exchange. It was amazing because there were no duplicates & no one knew what the other was making. The only stipulation was it had to be homemade. It is great getting together with friends & family especially this time of year definitely time well spent. We sang Christmas songs as we made our way through the sugar lineup. The hostess house was decked to the hilt which I admired because if I get a tree up, candles in the window & a wreath on the door I'm set.

2017 Christmas Wish winners share their inspiring stories of family, faith, hope and love

C Spire helps three "Big" wishes come true. The most important things in life aren't things at all – as the wishes granted to the 2017 winners of C Spire's popular Christmas wish program so aptly demonstrate.

 

C Spire's 2017 Christmas Wish program garnered unprecedented participation as more than 2,200 wishes were submitted by individuals earlier this month. The company granted three special wishes for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Super Bowl LII for a teenager battling brain cancer, a service dog for an autistic child and some much needed Christmas cheer for a hard-working mother.

As part of its customer inspired philosophy, C Spire recently asked individuals to share their personal stories and explain why their wish, no matter how big or small, should be granted by the company. The response was overwhelming. In just six days, over 2,200 wish requests were submitted through an online website. No purchase was necessary to participate in the program.

 

The three winning entries all involved inspiring, yet simple stories of family, faith, hope and love in the midst of daunting personal, health and financial challenges that represent some of the best examples of the indomitable human spirit. C Spire is helping each winner make their wish a reality.

 

"As a company that gets its inspiration from our customers, we were amazed by the incredible stories of everyday hard-working people courageously and valiantly striving to help their families and the people they love," said C Spire CEO Hu Meena. "We have the best customers in the world and we're honored to play a small role in helping change lives for a few of them at this special time of year."

 

For the friends and family of Josh McIntosh, a 13-year-old Madison teenager battling brain cancer who loves professional football, the wish was simple. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis to watch the National Football League's championship game.

 

"I'm excited about the Super Bowl trip just because of the fact that I have the strength to go there," said McIntosh, who has undergone several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments since being diagnosed with his illness in March. "There are other types of cancer that can kill you, and I know that my cancer can kill me, but it hasn't. I'm still alive."

 

Staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, where McIntosh is being treated, say the young man's courage and strength during the cancer battle is an inspiration to hospital workers, family and friends. Asked about the secret to his bravery and positive attitude, McIntosh replied, "There is no secret, I'm … just … living."

 

Debbie Colligan is a young Hernando woman who lovingly cares around-the-clock for her two autistic sons. During a recent visit to a C Spire store, Colligan was encouraged to submit an entry in the holiday contest. Her wish? Some funds to help purchase a service dog from Retrieving Freedom to aid one of her sons, Jareth, who suffers from a more severe form of autism.

 

"My sons have an amazing imagination. They contradict and challenge their diagnosis of autism every day," Colligan said. "We are so incredibly thankful to C Spire for granting this wish for my son Jareth. I want my boys to do what they are doing right now – smile all the time and be happy. This is truly a blessing."

 

KJuan Greer, a 16-year-old junior at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, sought help to purchase Christmas gifts for his younger sister and mother, Kasasha Allen, who works long hours at her job and in the home to help make ends meet for the family. "I just wanted to put a smile on my Mom's face and let her know how much I love and appreciate her," Greer said.

 

C Spire granted Greer's wish and provided funds for the family to purchase gifts so they could celebrate the holidays and express their appreciation to one another. Allen said she is proud of her son, his maturity and giving spirit. "Just knowing that my son recognizes how hard I work and strive for him – the sacrifices – so that he can live a better life is a special blessing to me," she said.

 

C Spire also made a $10,000 contribution to Extra Table, a Hattiesburg-based non-profit that partners with Sysco, the nation's largest food distribution company, to supply community food pantries and soup kitchens in Mississippi with healthy food to people in need.

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I'm getting ready to go to a Candlelight Communion Service at church this evening & probably won't be on BGP until after Christmas. I wanted to wish all a very Merry Christmas to you & your family! God bless you all!

Up near Indianapolis for the night. Going to take the dog for a walk in the snow in a few minutes. Love a good walk in the snow... especially Christmas snow.