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.
"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!
Posted by: rightwingprof | Monday, December 25, 2006 at 12:00 PM
I hope you had a Merry Christmas, Dan!
Posted by: Phoenix | Monday, December 25, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.
Posted by: Charlie Chase | Monday, December 25, 2006 at 05:58 PM
God Bless You Dan
Posted by: silkworth | Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 12:58 AM
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
Posted by: jolari | Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 02:01 PM
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!
Posted by: Gwen | Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 06:15 PM