The ABC's of Christmas - R

Hello friends! Today's letter of the ABC's of Christmas is R.

is for...
Robins, Roasted chestnuts, Rocking horses, Rudolph, Reindeer.

source

The Legend of Robin Redbreast

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, and the mother Mary worried that her Baby would be cold. She turned to the animals about her and asked them to help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my Son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire but the donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or the sheep. She wondered what to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. He went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.

With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said, "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

FROM~ "A Christmas Stocking" by Louise Betts Egan

Christmas Robin by Pat Carlton

Robins are one of the only UK birds to be heard singing in the garden on Christmas Day. This is because they hold their territories all year round, defending against intruders with song. Males often hold the same territory throughout their lives, and they will even attack a bundle of red feathers or their own reflection, mistaking it for another bird. Their melodious voices, along with their cocky little attitudes, have endeared robin red breasts to the British public, and in 1960 they were crowned the UK's national bird.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." I've never had roasted chestnuts but always wondered what they tasted like.

Source

I love rocking horses and I own a small collection of them. I'm not sure where my fascination of them comes from; most likely my childhood. The following photos are some from my collection.

I hope you enjoy seeing them.

This horse sits by the fireplace and was a gift from my hubby one Christmas.

This little ornament hangs on the Christmas tree every year; a gift from my son when he was nine years old.

I love this white, distressed rocking horse. I leave him out most of the winter.

This adorable little porcelain deer, or reindeer, was a gift from my mother many years ago. I bring him out every Christmas. He looks so much like the Rudolph my father made out of wood when I was a little girl. My mother painted it and there was a red light for his nose. Along the platform he stood on was a row of coloured lights and when Rudolph was plugged in, he lit up the whole window where he was placed year after year. 

Thank you for joining me today and please come back tomorrow for the letter S.

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi