Polar Bears and Holly

A heart that can feel for another's woe,
And share his joys with a genial glow;
With sympathies large enough to enfold
All men as brothers, is better than gold.
--- Abram Joseph Ryan

The above image is from one of the free Christmas cards that the National Wildlife Federation sends out. I have always loved polar bears and in high school I did a paper on them for my Environmental Studies class. On the back of the card it reads: "Until recently, polar bears have been one of nature's hardiest survivors. But because of global warming, scientists predict two-thirds of their global population could disappear within the next fifty years. You can make a difference for wildlife in the fight against global warming. Visit www.nwf.org/globalwarming and make you voice heard today."

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We had a lovely time at dinner last night although I might have overdone a bit on the cocktails. :o) Happily, I don't have any real plans today so I can go at my own pace.

This picture is from my collection of over 500 pansy postcards! I started collecting them in the mid-90's and it is amazing how many different images there are. Recently I have not been actively looking for them as I used to do since, obviously, I have quite a bit and sometimes, enough already! :o)

It is perfect for today's poem from the little Hallmark book, "Christmas Classics".

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The Legend of the Holly

An ancient Christmas legend

Tells about the holy night

When Jesus blessed the holly,

Made it ever green and bright.

~~~~~

The night the Holy Family

Fled out of Bethlehem,

They heard the tread of soldiers

Coming close to them.

~~~~~

There wasn't any time at all

To find a hiding place,

For Herod's men approached them

At a swift and steady pace.

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So Mary took her Little One

And with a whispered prayer

Hid Him beneath a holly bush

With gentle, loving care.

~~~~~

The wintered holly put forth leaves

To hide the Infant King,

And grew a guard of slender thorns

About Him in a ring.

~~~~~

King Herod's soldiers hurried past,

And all were unaware

The Infant whom they sought was safe

Within the holly's care.

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The Christ Child blessed the holly then

So it would always be

Forever green---a sign of hope

and immortality.

~~~~~

So now, at Christmas, holly plays

A very special part

Because one night it gently held

The Christ Child in its heart.

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HAVE A POSITIVE DAY!