Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shop,
The fire was roaring, the anvil was hot,
The hammer was singing, the billets were white,
When I heard a band of angels out in the night,
"Put down your hammer, put down your tongs"
"Come bring your family and join the song."
"For a day of rest, is granted to you. Your toils redeemed, your vigor renewed."
"Remember this day, a King has been born, to heal the sick and mend the torn.
"So come gather round with family and friends, your labors today are now at an end."
Enjoy the season; be merry and bright, for our Savior was born on this cold winter's night.
To show us the Joy, The Way, The Light.
The fire was roaring, the anvil was hot,
The hammer was singing, the billets were white,
When I heard a band of angels out in the night,
"Put down your hammer, put down your tongs"
"Come bring your family and join the song."
"For a day of rest, is granted to you. Your toils redeemed, your vigor renewed."
"Remember this day, a King has been born, to heal the sick and mend the torn.
"So come gather round with family and friends, your labors today are now at an end."
Enjoy the season; be merry and bright, for our Savior was born on this cold winter's night.
To show us the Joy, The Way, The Light.
May you know the love of Family and Friends, the warmth of home and hearth, and the joys of the season!
God Bless, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all from the Caffrey’s
Ed & Cindy
Ed & Cindy
Just a few of my favorite things to share at Christmas....
The Anvil
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor old hammers, worn with the beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he, and then with a twinkling eye, “The Anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so thought I, the anvil of God’s Word, for ages skeptic blows have beat upon; Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, The Anvil is unharmed---the hammers gone.
Author Unknown
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor old hammers, worn with the beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he, and then with a twinkling eye, “The Anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so thought I, the anvil of God’s Word, for ages skeptic blows have beat upon; Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, The Anvil is unharmed---the hammers gone.
Author Unknown
The Soilder
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,
'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the blown in drift..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,
'I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,
'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the blown in drift..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,
'I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'
'So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
God Bless those who have served, and are currently serving this Great Nation.
We owe you our respect, admiration, and our very way of life.
We owe you our respect, admiration, and our very way of life.
From our family to yours.....
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
A Bladesmith’s Twas the night before Christmas
In Honor of all of those who serve this Great Nation, and who have served...
WATCH CLOSELY! At 47 seconds into the video, Linus drops his security blanket....
symbolizing to let go of your earthly "security" and TRUST IN THE LORD!
symbolizing to let go of your earthly "security" and TRUST IN THE LORD!
A quick update: My health struggles continue, however, Doctors have determined that my Lupus "Is as under control/in remission as it will ever get.". Praise God for His goodness!
Our prayer for you during this season is that you will know the love of friends and family, and look to the New Year with hope and expectation.
Our prayer for you during this season is that you will know the love of friends and family, and look to the New Year with hope and expectation.