Thank you Mr. Craig for your comment. You see, I still remember my first magical Christmas. I was 8 years old. My mother and I were refugees from Czechoslovakia and we were put up with an Austrian farm family. Since I was only 7 years old the first Christmas I was not allowed to attend the midnight mass. But the next year when I turned 8 just like their son we were eligible.

First, everyone decorated their huge Chistmas tree on Christmas eve morning. In the evening some adult took some of us youngsters aside while the Christ Child delivered some gifts. When we came back to their living room, there were some gifts under the tree. Their son received a jigsaw set, each adult ot one gift, and then there was a gift for me, a coloring book with some colored pencils. Then the tree was lit with the real candles and we all sang one Christmas carol after another. After a short nap it was time for midnight mass. The sled was all set up with the horses and off we went. The night was clear and crisp and there were million of stars above. I just looked up into the heavens and thanked God that we were not killed during the second world war. The ride was magical.

Once we arrived at the church it was warm inside and I remember the Naticity scene, it was so beautiful. Of course, I cannot remember what the priest said because I was wrapped up in the magic. We kids all fell asleep on the way back and in the morning I woke up to the excitement of using my coloring book while their son made all kinds of things with his jig saw.

Unfortunately, this magic is mostely gone. Sure there are some real good Christmas movies on TV which try to bring the magic back, but some of the movies with silly Santas etc just don't get it.

( Aren't you glad that I did not mention Iraq this time?)

Have a very meaningful, truthful Christmas.

Ingerose