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Scary Christmas moment: At dinner, my sister looks over and says calmly, "Should that candle be blazing up like that?" Ack! No! Four inches left to burn, but suddenly the whole thing's on fire. Melted the plastic 3-D Star of Bethlehem holder, but didn't burn my great-grandfather's ice chest that it was sitting on. And even better, didn't burn the house down.

Beautiful Christmas moment: A ruby ring ! Really! I'm not a jewelry kind of girl, but I love to be loved. And wore a red velvet top tonight to show it off. But really, I need a manicure, and gorgeous hands, and .... nevermind. I just love the jewels.

Happy Christmas moment: My nephew who's just had a sad break with his wife tells me he's glad to be here on Christmas Eve. Hope just a little candlelight breaks into his dark days (but he's such a sweetie, there will be better days ahead).

Relieved Christmas moment: Mop cautiously sneaks down the stairs and confirms that the dog (greenlizzard's) is really gone!

Tired Christmas moment: All the dinner is done, the presents opened, the dishes stacked.

The Oxen--Thomas Hardy

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
"Now they are all on their knees,"
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come; see the oxen kneel,

"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,"
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.