Most churches will be open Xmas eve. Mine will.

I've lucked out and got a PT job there. Likely will be working Xmas eve. There are worse places to work on Xmas eve methinks.

A close-up view of a terracotta statuette of American president-elect Barack Obama, sculpted by Neapolitan nativity scene artisan Genni Di Virgilio, in his shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008.

NAPLES (Reuters) – President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas.

The production of handmade figurines for nativity scenes is big business in this southern Italian city and has been for centuries.

But beyond the thousands of angel, sheep, Mary and Joseph figures filling market stalls before Christmas, craftsmen say Obama has become a top seller.

"The ones we are selling the most of are those of Barack Obama, America's new president, along with his wife Michelle," said craftsman Genny Di Virgilio.

Tradition requires that the nativity scene be built up over time until Christmas Eve, when baby Jesus is put in the manger as the very last element of the display.

As always, figurine-makers provide a chance to choose a more light-hearted approach for the scene providing replicas of personalities who have made the news during the last year.

Beyond Obama, they are also selling figurines of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni and even Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Ceramic artist Genny Di Virgilio shows his nativity scene made of United States presidential candidates, at his shop in Naples November 14, 2007. From left are figures of Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Rudolph Giuliani.

Christians.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Gov. Sarah Palin's home church has been badly damaged in a suspicious fire.

Larry Kroon, pastor of the Wasilla Bible Church, estimates damages at more than $1 million to the church.

Kroon declined to say if the blaze was politically based or directed at Palin, the failed Republican vice presidential candidate.

Kroon says the fire broke out Friday night while a small group of women were working on crafts. They were alerted to the blaze by a fire alarm.

Kroon says he was called and by the time he got to the church, smoke was pouring out of the building. Sprinklers kept the fire from spreading beyond offices and classrooms.

Authorities are not immediately commenting, but Kroon says he's been told the fire is being investigated as a crime.

..No one was injured in the fire this weekend that caused around one-million dollars in damages.


Palin stopped by the church and apologized if the incident is in any way related to her running for vice-president....

It could be witchcraft.

Militant atheists.

Or Palin's estranged son Arson.

Nobody's paying me to run in a speedo. I might something for getting dressed though.

The site that directed me to the story made clear to avoid picture number 9 for just such a reason. The race was for charity, so it's not really a fashion show though.

Obama top wise man in Naples nativity figures

It could be witchcraft.

I'll give you $20 to never mention speedos again.

If the traditional Christmas dinner doesn't fill you up this yuletide, a company has come up with a novel alternative - eat the Christmas cards.

The eco-friendly cards are made from potato starch, signed in edible ink and feature a giant image of some festive Brussels sprouts.

Its creator, Steve Lodge, managing director of super-green graphic design agency Oxygen Creative said: 'Our card is printed on paper made from potato starch, the ink we use is edible and we have even signed the cards in edible ink with a special pen.

NEW YORK – Everyone knows about the ball that gets dropped on New Year's Eve in Times Square. Maybe you've even heard about the 800-pound peach that gets dropped in Atlanta at midnight on Dec. 31.

But you may not have heard about the dropping of the sausage, or the gumbo pot, or the giant Peep, a 25-pound fiberglass replica of the famed marshmallowy candy made in Pennsylvania.

TripAdvisor.com has assembled a list of these and other quirky New Year's Eve events to create a top 10 list of wacky things that get lowered on Dec. 31 around the country to mark the arrival of the new year.



The Peep show is in Bethlehem, Pa., marking the third time the city has dropped the illuminated treat from a crane at midnight as part of a family-friendly First Night celebration.

Also in Pennsylvania, in the town of Lebanon, a 7 1/2-foot edible bologna made by the Weaver-Kutztown Bologna Company is lowered at midnight and then donated to area charities.

In Key West, Fla., there are three such countdown celebrations: a conch shell lowered on a pole to the roof of Sloppy Joe's Bar, the lowering of "Drag Queen Sushi" in a 6-foot-tall shoe at the Bourbon Street Pub, and the descent of a costumed pirate "wench" from a schooner in the harbor.



In Port Clinton, Ohio, the self-proclaimed "Walleye Capital of the World" drops a 20-foot, 600-pound fiberglass walleye fish at midnight.

In Elmore, Ohio, there's a sausage fest, inspired by a local business,Tank's Meats. A lit-up 18-foot sausage drops to welcome in the New Year, but there's also a sausage toss and a sausage-eating contest.

Mount Olive, N.C., has a pickle drop with a 3-foot-high glowing pickle plunging down the Mount Olive Pickle Company's flagpole into a tank.



Raleigh, N.C., lowers a massive copper acorn weighing 1,250 pounds from atop the city's civic center as part of a First Night event.

A giant gumbo pot is lowered in New Orleans to mark the New Year, along with fireworks on the Mississippi.

In Easton, Md., a giant crab is what gets lowered as part of a First Night celebration, and in Plymouth, Wis., it's a great big hunk of cheese — though not an edible hunk.

Tucking into a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings is a surprisingly modern Christmas tradition dating back to the 16th century.

But the first Christmas dinner dates back to Roman times and a British historian has revealed how we can turn our ovens into time machines to recreate the recipes of 1,700 years ago.

The first reference to a nativity being celebrated on December 25 - the date of the Roman solstice - was found on an illuminated manuscript found in Rome in 354 AD.

Using a cookbook penned by first century bon viveur Marcus Apicius, Jacqui Wood has found the recipes are 'easy and cheap to replicate.'

While Emperor Elagablus's Ostrich brain and gold starter may not be to everyone's tastes, Apicius's Christmas feast of mulled white wine, baked ham, squash Alexandrian, and walnut and fig cakes might appeal.

'They have got to be the earliest Christmas recipes, and they are really nice. It's really healthy stuff,' said Ms Wood.

Apicius wrote his cookbook before he spent his fortune on fine dining and poisoned himself rather than eat like a peasant.

'Apicius was a food nut but because of him we have these recipes,' said Ms Wood, whose book: Tasting The Past British Food From The Stone Age To The 20th Century will be out next year.

If you shake your gifts to try to guess what they are: You are dramatic and love being the center of attention. People love the way you tell stories.

If you tear your gifts open: You are enthusiastic, aggressive and impatient. You are truly a kid at hear and love to party.

If you open your card first: You are thoughtful and considerate. You are not an impulsive shopper and you care deeply about what other people think about you.

If you parade your gifts around for everyone to see: You love to entertain, make people laugh and enjoy being the center of attention.

If you open your gifts in private: You sometimes hide your feeling and emotions from other and you hate being caught off-guard or letting your real emotions show.

If you wait to see what everyone else got: You are insecure and worry all the time. You are very well-liked among friends even though you do not think so.

I heard Wisconsin was the second worst state for health

What does that mean? Seriously, I am intrigued.

How Unhealthy Is Your State?

That's what publisher CQ Press reveals in its 16th annual list.

Twenty-one factors from infant mortality to obesity to cancer rates are compiled for the rankings.

Click through our gallery to see which 15 states rank as the unhealthiest, then check out the 15 healthiest....

 Sure it isn't edible? I heard Wisconsin was the second worst state for health, and I'm guessing cheese may be part of the problem.

Healthiest States In America 2008

No. 1: Minnesota

It has taken nine long years, but Minnesota is back as the Healthiest State in America. The North Star State last topped the rankings in 1999.

It ranks No. 1 in the categories of health insurance coverage and the number of adults who exercise....



No. 14: Wisconsin

The Badger State moved from No. 15 in 2007 to No. 14 this year.

Wisconsin has the highest percentage of binge drinkers, but scores well in health care coverage and in the percentage of adults who exercise....

http://money.aol.com/insurance/unhealthiest-states[/url]

WI not on that list.

When I see a Green Bay fan on the poker site I say in caps CHEEEEEEEESE!!!!!

Atheists from England to the West Coast of America are stepping up their efforts this year to make a bigger antagonistic splash on the Christmas scene. From London and Washington, D.C., buses to Colorado billboards, skeptics are skewering religions with little respect to the adherents of the religions.

At the forefront is a group's government-sanctioned posting of a sign by a Nativity scene in the Capitol of Washington state (and now also in Wisconsin and Illinois): "At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

I am a patriot, and I believe that atheists are free to believe, speak and post whatever they want. This is America, and that's their First Amendment right. But to do so with harassment and hatred under the guise of free speech is despicable. An anti-religious poster filled with spite is in no way equal to a religious symbol, such as a Nativity scene. Where are the political correctness police when religious followers are the victims?

If such words were written against any social minority group, protests would be ubiquitous. But anti-religious bigotry is in vogue these days. Still, there is absolutely no justification for these atheists' written revile. And if they want to keep using hate-filled language against theists -- particularly Christians -- then they shouldn't be surprised when they meet up with a yuletide (written) roundhouse kick.

Anyone can spew disdain for religion, but is that what America's Founders created our rights for? Just because they post such verbal vomit, does that demonstrate intellectual superiority or the type of moral decency our Founders hoped we would perpetuate?

What profit would there be if I posted a taunt that atheists had no vital part in the founding of our country? As Benjamin Franklin noted in his 1787 pamphlet for those in Europe thinking of relocating to America: "To this may be truly added, that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated but respected and practiced. Atheism is unknown there."

What profit would there be if I posted a claim that atheists are un-American because they try to suppress theists' freedom of religion by the false notion of separation of church and state?

What profit would there be if I posted the accusation that atheists are imprudent because they exhaust too much time trying to convince everyone else of the absence of a being who doesn't exist?

What profit would there be if I posted a retort that atheists are igmos because they try to replace Christmas with winter solstice celebrations, which are ancient pagan festivals entrenched in polytheistic religions?

What profit would there be if I posted that atheism hides behind a false pretense that it is scientific when eminent scientist Paul Davies -- the renowned British-born physicist, agnostic and professor of cosmology, quantum field theory and astrobiology -- once spoke against the certainty of atheism to Time magazine (in the column "Science, God, and Man"): "Agnosticism -- reserving judgment about divine purpose -- remains as defensible as ever, but atheism -- the confident denial of divine purpose -- becomes trickier. If you admit that we can't peer behind a curtain, how can you be sure there's nothing there?"

What profit would there be if I posted that atheists are totally blind to the pristine beauty and ordered complexity of creation, so they cannot see the hand of a Creator? As the Bible pointed out 2,000 years ago, "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

What profit would there be if I posted the fact that atheists denigrate every religion and prayer that ever has been offered? To say God doesn't exist is to say every religious leader in every age was delusional at best. And it also is to say that not one prayer on any continent in any era of human history has been answered. That premise alone rules atheism preposterous and foolish.

Finally, what profit would there be if I posted that I agree with my friend Mike Huckabee, who said on his book tour via Fox News that atheists shouldn't be fighting for a holiday in December when they already have a holiday: April Fools' Day (a holiday also grounded in sacred Scripture, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no god'")?

We all know I would be labeled as an extremist, irrational and a bigot if I posted any of the preceding ideas. Yet atheists do and get away with First Amendment murder.

I'd like to remind our nation that it was only a short time ago when Ronald Reagan freely spoke for the majority by explicitly and passionately conveying belief in Jesus Christ during his presidential Christmas addresses. Compare the message in his Dec. 23, 1981, speech with that of the present day, when the very term "Christmas" is being erased from every corner of culture.

As long as different displays line the corridors of Washington state's Capitol like Christmas potpourri, let me posit this last idea as a final pre-Christmas posting. At the base of the bust of George Washington (which stands between the atheists' winter solstice sign and the Nativity scene in the Washington state Capitol), I suggest the posting of one more sign, which would contain the wisdom from George Washington's farewell address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."

moronpoker.com

Created by an NZGames forum member, this faux tree was made from a large RAID array -- consisting of 60-70 hard drives -- that was disassembled. The person spent approximately 3-weeks and used lots of epoxy glue, along with simple tools to build this geeky masterpiece. Best of all, individual sections are spinnable.

Keri Shryock's Facebook profile photo shows her flying in a harness similar to one she was using during Wednesday night's show.

OAKLEY, Ohio -- A female cast member of a Christmas nativity show at a church who was injured when she fell during the performance Wednesday night has died, Cincinnati television station WLWT reported.

According to a statement from the Crossroads Church in Oakley, Ohio, Keri Shryock, 23, a cast member from "Awaited: A Christmas Show," fell about 20 feet from a suspension harness during the opening night of the show. Medical personnel attended to her and transferred her to University Hospital, where she died on Thursday morning.

Shryock, of Sylvania, Ohio, was a graduate student at Xavier University and a 2008 graduate of Bowling Green State University.

Shryock was playing the role of one of three wise men who were suspended by cables in the air over the audience when one of the cables malfunctioned, according to Jennifer Lilley, a witness who was at the show.

She fell to the floor in the aisle and didn't move, Lilley said.

Medics were called and the audience was directed to leave, Lilley said.

The church has canceled all remaining performances. It was set to run 11 times through Christmas Eve. The show is billed by the church as a contemporary nativity story, involving dance, rhythmic movement and music, including a 100-person choir and full band.

Shryock worked in the Office of Commuter Services and Off Campus Living at Xavier University.

From Philadelphia to the Philippines, New York City to Vatican City, the colors of Christmas are bright and cheery. Take a tour of cultures around the world and learn a bit how Christmas is celebrated in lands afar.

An illuminated tree is seen in front of the Christmas market in Duisburg, western Germany, Friday Dec 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Russ Twoey, 33, left, and his father Gary Twoey, 56, right, touch the original Leg Lamp during their tour of the house that was made famous in the film "A Christmas Story" on Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo//The Plain Dealer, Lisa DeJong)

The traditional holiday light display illuminates the Denver City County Building late on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The "Unter den Linden" boulevard is illuminated with fairy lights as Christmas approaches in Berlin on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. The background shows the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Miguel Villagran)

South Korean children wearing Santa Claus outfits hold charity pot-shaped cakes during a ceremony to prepare charity pots for a year-end fund-raising campaign for the underprivileged at the Salvation Army office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A diver in Santa's costume feeds moray and spotted eagle ray as part of a Christmas event at Sunshine International aquarium in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008.(AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

People walkunder Christmas lights decorated in the town of Varna, east of the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008. (AP Photo)

Fireworks explode over the Michigan Capitol and the official state Christmas tree following a ceremony lighting the tree, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in Lansing, Mich. The 65-foot spruce tree came from Negaunee in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Quade Steele looks at the burning candle inside a luminaria bag as he toured the display at the Keystone Heritage Park on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 in El Paso, Texas. The luminarias are small candles set in dirt inside a paper bag and are commonly displayed during the Christmas season. (AP Photo/El Paso Times, Victor Calzada)

Days before Christmas, people become blind and get tunnel vision, causing them to only see what is in front of them, putting them into a trance like state while looking for the perfect gift. This effect usually happens two days before christmas.

Guy: Dude, what was up with that chick driving the Esclade, she almost hit you.

Guy 2: fark her, she was a christmas zombie.

(n') - When you speak and don't listen to yourself

"The presents were great, it was like having Christmas in December" or "Yeah but the statue of the kitchen wouldn't fit in the cow"

A new player of a First Person Shooter, Real Time Strategy, or any other type of gaming, who specifically gets their game on Christmas. The player will have a disadvantage to the older players of the game, which gives the older players an easier time leveling up since there will be a huge wave of new players

I love the holiday season, so many Christmas n00bs! I'll level up easy

A person who's family is Jewish, perhaps culturally Jewish more than religiously Jewish, and who follows the more secularized traditions of Christmas -- such as: decorating one's house with Christmas decorations, putting up a Christmas tree, pretending that Santa exists for the kids, etc.

He puts up a Christmas tree and lights a Menorah! What a Christmas Jew.

A person who looks in the closet for their christmas gifts.

I hid the presents in the attic knowing that Timmy would be a christmas fag.

Inclusive winter holiday that encompasses many religions and beliefs - a combination of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Hanukkah.

"You got me a gift for Christmakwanzaramakkah? You shouldn't have!

The conspicuous absence and lack of communication from all your friends who celebrate the Christmas holiday (both secular and religious) due to family commitments and/or over-consumption of alcohol on Christmas Eve. The Abyss can normally be observed on December 25th.

A: Man, where is everyone? I can't get a hold of anyone today.
B: They must have fallen into the Christmas Abyss.

Also known as California Christmas bud. Seasonal type of canibis that grows in California which consists of a very light green color, fuzzy texture and smell of pine.
This type of marijuana spreads like wildfire throughout the entire southwestern United States during it's season (december). It's value is up to 3 or more times as its conventional counterparts.

Also called Christmas Tree Bud, or Christmas Weed. It is most likely the best quality of marijuana grown in the United States.

Whoa dude, this Christmas Bud got me stoned for about 5 hours with just a couple of hits.

The member of the family who takes it upon themselves to make sure everyone has a god damn happy holiday.

Christmas eve dinner really sucked until Christmas Castro made us drink cheap red wine and forced us to deck the halls.

A hobo who is still outside when the weather turns below 0 around december and is very poorly dressed for the situation e.x Jeans and T-Shirt. Can usually be found pan handling in any major city that gets cold enough.

Benj: "Hey Kyle, lookit the Christmas Hobo!"

*Kyle sees a shivering hobo who is clearly near death*

Benj and Kyle: "Hahahahahaha, Merry Christmas, everyone."

Christmas is a holiday celebrated around in the world, but in some villages in Chechnya the yearly ritual consists of a gathering in the center of the village where all the men take turns kicking each other in the groin; the first one to flinch is beaten to death with a tire iron. Also, their eggnog has vodka in it.

Christmas in Chechnya is fascinating, if painful, to watch.

When at a function around christmas time, instead raising a glass and saying chirstmas cheers, offer christmas jis as an alternative.. Sounds similar and is a great bit of banter.. However, try not to get caught

Excuse me everyone.. I would just like to say (raise glass) 'Christmas Jiz' to you all

Someone who continues to subject themselves to Christmas activities -- Secret Santa, carolling, etc. -- despite feeling painfully awkward at the event.

Ryan's uncomfortable laughter at the Secret Santa Pot Luck indicated he was an Christmasochist.

Some with whom you'd only have sexual relations with on or around Christmas.

"Dude, I totally got some Christmass at the company party last night!"

MARSHFIELD, Mo. | Webster County officials aren’t taking the attempted escape of a jail inmate lightly.

Authorities say they arrested 17-year-old Shane Sartin this morning along a highway after he broke out of the Webster County jail Thursday night using a string of Christmas lights to climb down from a third-story exercise area in the county courthouse.

They say the Christmas lights broke and Sartin apparently injured his back falling to the ground.

He still got away, however, and changed from his orange prison jumpsuit to sweats and T-shirt before officers found him.

Sartin, of Seymour, was being held on stealing charges. Authorities said they took Sartin to a hospital to gauge the extent of his back injury.