Christmas Spirit

A nother holiday season is upon us, and the battle is joined. For most of our young nation's life December has been all about Christmas, the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. In my youth, I was not aware of other holidays sharing the same space - and only vaguely aware of other religions. It was a time to think of others less fortunate, giving our time to those in need and being kinder to my brothers as well as strangers. I lived in a country that welcomed everyone seeking a better life than the one they had in their country.

I recently read about the people who paid for others' Christmas gifts on layaway ("Donating thousands, 'layaway angels' land in Maryland," Dec. 22). It made my heart glad knowing we still have people who show their love and compassion for others instead of thinking only of themselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could show others love and compassion not just at Christmas, but throughout the entire year? Love conquers all. Let's show others the true meaning of love each and every day. Timothy Modlin

I recently read about the people who paid for others' Christmas gifts on layaway ("Donating thousands, 'layaway angels' land in Maryland," Dec. 22). It made my heart glad knowing we still have people who show their love and compassion for others instead of thinking only of themselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could show others love and compassion not just at Christmas, but throughout the entire year? Love conquers all. Let's show others the true meaning of love each and every day. Timothy Modlin

It's Christmas and the song of the season that first pops into my head shouldn't be Elvis Presley crooning "Blue Christmas. " But it is, even though I'm not blue at all. Far from it, but that's the only Christmas song I can think of whenever I drive through downtown Havre de Grace. The only other words that come to mind are: "Attention, Kmart shoppers, the Blue Light Special…" It's Christmas and the song of the season that first pops into my head shouldn't be Elvis Presley crooning "Blue Christmas.

A s post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees turn into melees and retailers count down the "buying days" until Christmas, Peter E. Dans, author of "Christians in the Movies," is happy to provide some holiday-viewing suggestions that are simultaneously entertaining and spiritual. Dans, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, previously wrote "Doctors in the Movies: Boil the Water and Just Say Aah!" He writes and talks about films from a devout perspective that is good-humored and individualistic.

We were in Hamilton, for many the hub of the Land of Pleasant Living, and suddenly we knew that Christmas would really happen. We had had doubts.In this year of recession -- with the population engaged in acts of mopery, with consumers keeping their fingers wrapped tightly about dollars, with a whining president and at least one fretful governor desperately imploring shoppers to spend us out of this mess -- we had doubts. We didn't expect to see ye olde Christmas Spirit wearing anything splashy this season.

Rob "The Drumming Pastor" Lamp will bang his drums on stage tonight at Howard Community College during his church's annual Christmas extravaganza.This is the 10th year that he and others in the 400-member Valley Brook Community Church have held the seasonal event."

If you're looking for some Christmas spirit, holiday decorating ideas, or just some relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the season, look no farther than the Carroll County Farm Museum.The 19th-century farm will open its doors Saturday for its annual Christmas tour, this year based on Clement C. Moore's 1822 classic, "Twas the Night Before Christmas.""This is sort of everybody's fantasy (about) what you're going toget for Christmas," said Dottie Freeman, Farm Museum administrative assistant.

It was the oddest of places -- and maybe the best of places -- for a 7-year-old to spend part of Christmas Eve: on the hospital ward where her 3-year-old sister died three months before.What brought Kristy Clutts and her family to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center yesterday was grief over the death of a child -- and it is a story of the Christmas spirit, the spirit of giving.It began one Saturday morning in August when Amy Clutts, a pixie of a 3-year-old, began vomiting in her sleep at home in Parkville.

Christmas Day broke cold and quiet over the Baltimore waterfront, and by 9 a.m., as church bells heralding the birth of Christ rang out from Mount Winans to Cedonia, the sun began to break through clouds hanging over an old broom factory off the corner of Boston and Baylis streets.It was 39 degrees; the harbor lay calm, and the streets were empty except for a few sea gulls and a long-haired young man walking with a guitar across his back and no coat.Up on the green hill that is Patterson Park, Bob Griffith walked Cagney, an Irish setter who awoke Christmas morn to a stocking filled with dog cookies.

The shop windows in Havre de Grace are decked out for the holiday season, just in time for the city's Light Up Night tonight, Dec. 2. "Light Up Night" kicks off the holiday season today (Friday) at 6 p.m. with Santa arriving in style, cruising on a Susquehanna Hose Company truck up St. John Street to Washington Street. It is one of several events planned in the greater Havre de Grace area over the coming weeks. Experience the Winter Wonderland sponsored by the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce with lights throughout downtown and the lighting of the City's Christmas tree donated by the Havre de Grace Masons, Susquehanna Lodge 130. Enjoy the talents of the Havre de Grace High School Warrior Marching Band and the Havre de Grace Middle School Band.

Peggy Poisal's friends are less taken aback at the interior of her home than the casual visitor, whose first reaction tends to be a gasp of wonder, followed by an overwhelming desire to take everything in at one fast turn of the head. A fire roars in a fireplace decorated with garland, fruit and stockings. The mantel is dressed with more flourishes of garland along with two small lighted topiaries at either end. A covered radiator in front of the living room window is a showplace of wooden folk art Santas and angels.

Another holiday season is upon us, and the battle is joined. For most of our young nation's life December has been all about Christmas, the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. In my youth, I was not aware of other holidays sharing the same space - and only vaguely aware of other religions. It was a time to think of others less fortunate, giving our time to those in need and being kinder to my brothers as well as strangers. I lived in a country that welcomed everyone seeking a better life than the one they had in their country.

A s post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees turn into melees and retailers count down the "buying days" until Christmas, Peter E. Dans, author of "Christians in the Movies," is happy to provide some holiday-viewing suggestions that are simultaneously entertaining and spiritual. Dans, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, previously wrote "Doctors in the Movies: Boil the Water and Just Say Aah!" He writes and talks about films from a devout perspective that is good-humored and individualistic.

The following is an excerpt from "Combat Correspondents: The Baltimore Sun in World War II." American troops came under fierce German bombardment on the Ardennes Front as the Battle of the Bulge began at 5 o'clock in the dark morning of December 16, 1944. It was midnight then in Baltimore, plenty of time for a news flash in the morning papers. But the Baltimore Sun night news desk had no way of knowing about the surprise attack by thousands of German troops and tanks, wiping out lightly manned U.S. positions.

The Companions of St. Anthony in Ellicott City hope that four decorated trees, three Nativity scenes, a warm fire and a chance to relax will help kindle the Christmas spirit a little longer. The group of Franciscan friars will offer all of those things at an open house at the Shrine of St. Anthony on Folly Quarter Road from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, which will be followed by a prayer for world peace. Another open house specifically for senior citizens is planned for noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday.