Merry Christmas

One of the oldest known mass produced Christmas cards - click image here for full-size view.

What is believed to be one of the first mass-produced Christmas cards -- dating back more than 160 years -- can be found among the extensive special collections of Bridwell Library at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology.

The lithographed card caused a controversy in some quarters of Victorian English society when it was published in 1843 because it prominently features a child taking a sip from a glass of wine.

Along with marking the birth of Christ, Christmas has come to represent many things: the joy of giving, the love of family, a celebration of hope over doubt. I imagine it represents so many different things to many of us, it's impossible to list them all.

So whatever else Christmas means to you and yours, I hope it's a wonderful and bright day for you to celebrate, enjoy and remember.

Here's a little something by Judy Garland circa WWII. A history of how the song has changed here.

Comments

[rightwingprof]

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

A very blessed Christmas to you!

[Phoenix]

I hope you had a Merry Christmas, Dan!

[Charlie Chase]

Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

[silkworth]

God Bless You Dan

[jolari]

A little late, but still from the heart-May your holidays be filled with joy and the coming year hold peace for you.
Thank you Dan for all that you do for us.

J

[Gwen]

Uh-oh, jolari, you just wished him happy holidays! Better stay out of throat-grabbing range!
To Mr. Riehl: Have a merry effin' St. John the Evangelist's Day, you politically-correct SOB!