December 2007
Letter's of Love (LOL)
By Michelle D Starr
Author of
INOCULATION ETERNITY
An Epic Trilogy on Life Before Mankind and Beyond
Dear Friends,
As we enter this holiday season, I found myself wondering what the reasons are behind the different seasons? I did some research about scientific discoveries made about the four seasons we have come to know as...Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Then I felt compelled to know why we celebrate what we have come to know as The Holiday Season.
Below you can read some very interesting facts about the different seasons of this Earth and some seasons celebrated by this Earth's unique inhabitants. It is my hope that this newsletter will enlighten you and help you get the most out of this season and cherish each moment you spend with your family, friends and all your loved ones.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
From My House To Your House!!!
The Reason for the Earth's Seasons
We have seasons because the earth is tilted as it makes its yearly journey around the sun.
The tilt of the Earth's AXIS is the most important reason we have hot summers and cold winters.
It is when the Earth leans towards the Sun that we experience summer. Then 6 months later, when it leans away from the Sun we experience Winter. In between these, are the Spring and Autumn seasons.
Did you know?
The Earth's movement around the sun causes the seasons, but it does not affect the temperatures during the seasons.
Many people believe that the temperature changes because the Earth is closer to the sun in summer and farther from the sun in winter. In fact, the Earth is farthest from the sun in July and is closest to the sun at the beginning of January!
During the summer, the sun's rays hit the Earth at a steep angle because the sun is higher in the sky. The light does not spread out very much, thus increasing the amount of energy hitting any given spot. The long daylight hours during the summer months allow the Earth plenty of time to reach warm temperatures. This is why the days are hotter in the summer months.
During the winter, the sun's rays hit the Earth at a shallow angle because the sun is lower in the sky. These rays are more spread out, which minimizes the amount of energy that hits any given spot. The long nights and short days prevent the Earth from warming up. This is why we have cold winters.
Important Facts
The Earth revolves around the Sun. The North pole always points the same way as the Earth revolves around the Sun.
NOW LET US EXPLORE SOME REASONS FOR OUR HOLIDAY SEASONS
Did you know that many people around the world do not celebrate Thanksgiving,Christmas and New Years as we do in the United States? There are several other winter holidays and festivals that are celebrated around the world. Some of the holidays are religious. Some festivals are connected to the New Year or beginning of Winter. Some other holidays and festivals are based more on past events or traditions handed down from generation to generation. So let's begin "Celebrating the World" by researching some winter holidays and festivals.
1.) Chanukah is the Hebrew term for rededication. It begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar (November/December). It is celebrated for eight days in honor of the Jewish victory and the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days to rededicate the temple.
2.) Chinese New Year: There are three ways to name a Chinese year...1.) By an animal . 2007 is known as the Year of the Pig. There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are re-cycled every 12 years.
2.) By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch). The new year is the year of DingHai. In the 'Stem-Branch' system, the years are named in 60-year cycles, and the Name of the Year is repeated every 60 years. 2007 is the 8th year in the current 60-year cycle. 3.) Current year is Year 4704 by the Chinese calendar.
3.) The Festival of Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and continues until New Years Day, January 1st. Each evening a family member, usually the youngest child, lights candles in a special candleholder and discusses one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. On the sixth day, which falls on New Years Eve, family and friends get together to enjoy a large feast and to celebrate their history, culture, and the upcoming New Year.
4.) Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians. Because there are many regions in India, there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. There is no one universally accepted Hindu calendar, so this holiday may be celebrated on a different date in some parts of India, but it always falls in the months of October or November.
5.) Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation" Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.
6.) Christmas is every year on December 25th when Christians celebrate the birthday of their Lord Jesus Christ. There are signs around that say "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season".
People often think of the twelve days of Christmas as the days preceeding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian year that begins December 25 and lasts until January 6th - the day of Epiphany - when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi.
From 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. It was during this era that someone wrote 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.
1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three french hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese of laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.
8. The eight maids a milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal.5).
10. The ten lords a leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful diciples.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
There you have it...the hidden meaning of the Twelve Days Of Christmas and the secret behind the song. Now the song and the the saying "Jesus Is The Reason For EVERY Season" should have so much more meaning when you hear it, .
JOKE OF THE MONTH
LAUGH OUT LOUD!
Ok...here it is:
A man was talking to God and he asks, "God, since you made everything, what is money to you?" God answered, "Well, one million dollars to you would be one penny to me." The man thinks and askes, "God, since you have been around forever, what is time to you?" God replies, "Well my son, one day to me would be one thousand years to you." The man thinks some more and askes, "God, can I have a penny?" God replies, "Sure... in about one day."
Quick Links
Christmas Apple Pie
Serve with vanilla ice cream and hard sauce
Ingredients:
a. Graham cracker crust (you can make your own or use a pre-made one)
1 large egg white (slightly beaten)
b. 5 Cups fresh peeled apples
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (we generally add a bit more)
c. 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 stick melted butter (a bit over 1/3 cup)
Directions:
1. Brush egg white on crust, bake until light brown -- about 6 minutes (if store bought)
2. Combine b mix well, spoon into crust
3. Mix c put on as the top of the pie in thin sheets
4. Bake at 375 farenheit for about 50 minutes
5. Cool for about 4 hours.
.
Not too Late!!! 
Last minute gift offer...
order now Inoculation Eternity
By Michelle D Starr
Book Description:
Before humankind existed, there was Eternity, a place with no time, disease or wars. Then a great divide appears, with Lucifer standing at the epicenter, Gabriel searches for answers.
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Sincerely,
Michelle Starr Author of Inoculation Eternity
MD Starr Enterprises
Buy The Book
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