Merry Christmas Bill Signed Into Law!!

Good job Governor Perry!!! Although Christmas has been recognized as a federal holiday since the 1870's, recently Texas school districts have been spending excessive time and money fighting court battles over how to express Christmas in the schools. These concerns even made it as far as the the Supreme Court, where such things were ruled permissible. I was very happy to read today that the Texas House and Texas Senate agreed this past week to sign HB 308. The new bill makes it clear that public schools and their staff are permitted to acknowledge and educate students about the historical and cultural roots of holidays such as Christmas, and Hanukkah and with school displays that can include Christmas Trees, Santa Clause, Reindeer, Menorahs, Nativity Scenes and more. My favorite quote came from Jonathan Saenz, attorney and President of Texas values "We hope that HB 308 will decrease the number of districts being naughty and increase the one's being nice". 

Here is the entire video of the signing, if you'd like to watch. 

If it wasn't so hot and humid in Texas, I might consider moving. It's starting to sound more appealing in so many ways!!

“We hope HB 308 will decrease the number of school districts being naughty and increase the one’s being nice,” said Jonathan Saenz, attorney and president of Texas Values.  - See more at: http://txvalues.org/2013/06/13/gov-perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/#sthash.O9tdHTnS.dpuf

makes it clear that public schools and their staff are permitted to acknowledge and educate students about historic and cultural roots of important holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and others, and with school displays that can include Christmas trees, a Menorah, a Nativity scene, Santa Claus, Reindeer and more. - See more at: http://txvalues.org/2013/06/13/gov-perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/#sthash.O9tdHTnS.dpuf

makes it clear that public schools and their staff are permitted to acknowledge and educate students about historic and cultural roots of important holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and others, and with school displays that can include Christmas trees, a Menorah, a Nativity scene, Santa Claus, Reindeer and more. - See more at: http://txvalues.org/2013/06/13/gov-perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/#sthash.O9tdHTnS.dpuf

makes it clear that public schools and their staff are permitted to acknowledge and educate students about historic and cultural roots of important holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and others, and with school displays that can include Christmas trees, a Menorah, a Nativity scene, Santa Claus, Reindeer and more. - See more at: http://txvalues.org/2013/06/13/gov-perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/#sthash.O9tdHTnS.dpuf

makes it clear that public schools and their staff are permitted to acknowledge and educate students about historic and cultural roots of important holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and others, and with school displays that can include Christmas trees, a Menorah, a Nativity scene, Santa Claus, Reindeer and more. - See more at: http://txvalues.org/2013/06/13/gov-perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/#sthash.O9tdHTnS.dpuf

2012 Christmas Postage Stamps

I've been working on my Christmas card list this past week and looking up potential Christmas card ideas. Today, I realized I hadn't looked at the new Christmas stamps for 2012. So, what do I think?? Overall, I really like both of them. The Holy Family is the first religious, Christmas stamp I've liked in a long time. It's simple and beautiful. The Santa and Sleigh stamps are fun! Much more festive then the Holly Leaves or single Christmas Tree Balls they've had the last few years. I'm not sure which I'll choose, but right now I'm leaning in a half and half direction. Both will be available on October 13th.

The Holy Family stamp celebrates Christmas with a scene from the Nativity story that reminds us of the joys of the season: family, togetherness, and the birth of the baby Jesus. It continues the U.S. Postal Service’s tradition of issuing beautiful and timeless Christmas stamps and will be a treasured addition to cards and letters sent during this season of goodwill and sharing.
Working together, art director William J. Gicker, designer Greg Breeding, and artist Nancy Stahl created an evocative new image of the Holy Family. The stamp illustration shows Joseph leading a donkey that carries Mary and Jesus, guided by a star shining in the twilight of a desert sky.

These Santa and Sleigh stamps portray Santa Claus flying through the air in his sleigh. With a cargo of toys and gifts produced in his workshop by elves, he lands on the rooftop of house after house and slides down the chimney to leave presents for girls and boys of all ages. That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.
Santa’s annual journey is joyfully captured in this block of four holiday stamps, with two rows of two stamps each presenting a “classic” image of Santa and his reindeer circling around snow-covered rooftops.
Though his roots go much further back, the modern Santa Claus, the giver of gifts, captured the American imagination in the Revolutionary War era. At that time, understandably critical of English traditions, people looked to the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas for cultural cues and seasonal inspiration. Since then, Santa has become more popular, and is today beloved by millions of children who write him letters, track his progress on the Internet, and leave him milk and cookies as tokens of their esteem.
To their cards and letters and yours, these stamps will add a dash of holiday merriment. Double-check your mailing list so you don’t forget anyone nice!
Artist Paul Rogers worked with art director Howard Paine to create this block of four holiday stamps. These computer-generated images were originally drawn in pencil on paper.