Areyou GRUMPY Santa? by Gregg & Evan Spiridellis (the JibJab guys!)

We all know Santa's jolly, but there's something else worth knowing. There are times when even Santa doesn't feel like HO-HO-HO-ing!

If you've never heard this story, you might be quite surprised. It's about a grumpy Santa who became un-GRUMP-ified.

One night while Santa slept, dreams of Christmas in his head, a giant SNORE from Mrs Claus blew him outta bed.

He rolled across the bedroom floor.... OOCHY! OUCHY! OH!.... then tripped over a bowling ball and stubbed his little toe!

He was tired and his toe hurt, but he hopped into the tub. "My big, round jelly belly sure could use a soapy scrub!"

But when he turned the shower know..... "AHHHHHH! THIS WATER'S FREEZING!" He jumped out of the bathtub, now sniffling and sneezing.

The elves defrosted Santa by the edge of a small fire, and tried to warm his favorite Santa suit inside the dryer.

But the dryer shrank his suit, so they made a little switch, and replaced it with a woolly one that made him scratch and itch!

At breakfast things got worse, "There must be some mistake! What happened to my waffles, pancakes, sausage, eggs and steak?"

"I want you on a diet, You're so handsome when your thin!" A grouchy Santa mumbled, "Today I just can't win."

Santa grabbed his gifts and headed out the door, but his fleet of flying reindeer weren't where they were before.

When he finally found them, he shouted out, "OH NO!" his reindeer had been buried hoof-to-antler in the snow!

The reindeer were still frozen: they flew out of control. They almost crashed the speeding sleigh into the striped North Pole!

"Hold Steady!" Santa yelled as he unfolded his map - then a giant gust of wind blew up and stole poor Santa's cap!

At the first house on his list, Santa had no change of luck. He jumped into the chimney, but his belly got him stuck!

He wiggled side to side, than gave a mighty push. He fell into the fireplace and sprained his chubby tush!

In Paris, he was chased by a tiny, growling poodle. In Italy, he slipped upon a rigatoni noodle.

He was nearly trampled by a bull in beautiful Pamplona. He bumped into a Christmas tree (cactus) in Phoenix, Arizona.

At the last house on his list, near the point of full despair, he tripped over a toy train, and flew up in the air!

He grabbed the chandelier, then heard the ceiling CRACK! Poor old Santa tumbled down and landed on his back.

"I'm tired! My toe hurts! I'm hungry, and I'm freezing! My wool suit is so itchy! I'm sniffly and sneezing! My head has got a bump! My tush is wrapped in gauze! I can't take this anymore.... I'm a GRUMPY SANTA CLAUSE!

Then suddenly he saw it, next to the Christmas tree. He walked over to inspect it, belly grumbling hungrily.

It was a card for Santa - painted on it was a wreath, and when he picked it up, he found some COOKIES underneath!

As he read the note inside, his heart did nearly pause, "We made you all these cookies 'cause we LOVE YOU Santa Claus."

Santa smiled and took a bite: the lesson was quite clear. When people do nice things for you the GRUMPIES, disappear!

Santa flew into the night, the winter moon aglow. He felt so good, he shouted out a hearty "HO-HO-HO!"

So remember, make them chocolate, silky smooth or extra lumpy.... just be sure to leave some cookies, in case Santa's feeling grumpy.

An Unexpected Lesson by Erin Wilson

After making a career move to New York City, I was out shopping one December evening for items for my new apartment. A storm had recently hit the city, and knee-deep snow lined the streets. I was bundled up in a warm coat as I made my way to the train with a bustling crowd of holiday shoppers.

I waited impatiently for the train to arrive, thinking about my shopping list. When the train finally arrived, I stepped onto the car, scanning the seats for a place to sit. The nearest seat was directly across from an old homeless man. He had no warm coat or heavy clothing. He just had some plastic bags filled with trinkets.

I did not want to sit near his offensive odor, and his rugged appearance made me wonder if he was dangerous. Mostly, I did not want to be hit up for cash. I abruptly walked to the other end of the car and took a seat. All the other passengers also filed to the end of the car, leaving the man alone.

Soon a young man boarded the train and settled down in the seat directly in front of the homeless man. Without hesitation, the young man extended a welcoming smile, a handshake, and a jolly hello. The man's face brightened, and they began a pleasant conversation. They talked for the next 15 minutes, enjoying each others company.

As I watched, I was reminded of the true spirit of the Christmas season. While deeply engaged in conversation, the young man stood up and removed his vest, shirt and a second long sleeved shirt he was wearing underneath. Standing in his undershirt, he then handed the long sleeve shirt to the homeless man. The old man accepted it graciously, and the two continued their conversation. I stepped off the train at the next stop, touched by the young man's kindness. I felt guilty for my selfishness, but I had a desire to be a better person.

The King of Kings came into the world in the most humble of circumstances, in a lowly stable. The world was given a precious, saving gift - the Son of God. I am grateful for the gift of the Savior in my life and for the reminder of His infinite love and compassion for God's children. That Christmas season, I felt a renewed desire to be kinder, more selfless, and more like my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Carols across the country by Heather Beauchamp

Music and singing have always been very important to my family. while I was growing up, my sister would play the piano while my five other siblings and I gathered around and sang our favorite Church songs. These times are among my fondest memories.

After graduating from high school, I lived near my family until I married a wonderful man who was stationed in our town with the US Air Force. A year and a half later, my husband and I, and our two-month-old daughter, were transferred to a base across the country. We had another child, and with all the expenses that come with two babies, we had not been able to return to visit our families. With six children still at home, my parents couldn't afford to visit us either. Living so far away from my family and missing my husband due to frequent military assignments, I was often subject to feelings of loneliness. Holidays were especially difficult.

On Christmas Eve 1996, while my husband and I were taking part in our traditional Christmas Ever activities with our two young children, my thoughts kept turning to my parents and siblings. I gazed at the clock and knew they would all be sitting down on a blanket laid carefully out on the floor; and eating a "Christmas Feast Picnic" of fruit, little sausages, cheese, and crackers while my father read the account of Christ's birth from the scriptures. In my mind I pictured their faces. Mine would be the only one missing.

As I pondered, I prayed for a way to feel more connected with the rest of my family. Suddenly, the phone rang, and I found myself speaking to my mother. She told me she had something for us to hear. I turned on the speaker phone and we listened as my three younger sisters gathered around the family piano and sang the most beautiful version of "Do you hear what I hear?". Tears filled our eyes as my husband and I listened to the three-part harmony coming from our phone. We could almost feel my family in the room with us.

Their simple song brought into our home that Christmas Eve, a sweet spirit I will always treasure. Of all the gifts we received that Christmas, many purchased from stores and carefully wrapped and labeled, it was that sweet song that was the most precious to us.