Consumer Confidence Shows Surprise Drop in December

Before the media blast how sales during the Christmas season was fantastic, the reality is that we are still in a recession and the economy still sucks.

(CNBC) U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly deteriorated in December, hurt by increasing worries about the jobs market, according to a private report released on Tuesday.

The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes slipped to 52.5 in December from an upwardly revised 54.3 in November.

The median of forecasts from analysts polled by Reuters was for a reading of 56.0.

It was the Birth of Christ that brought a Truce between Muslims and Jews for a Day

Imagine if it was Christmas everyday in Bethlehem.........

(News Max) BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The traditional birthplace of Jesus is celebrating its merriest Christmas in years, as tens of thousands of tourists thronged Bethlehem on Friday for the annual holiday festivities in this biblical West Bank town.

Officials said the turnout was shaping up to be the largest since 2000. Unseasonably mild weather, a virtual halt in Israeli-Palestinian violence and a burgeoning economic revival in the West Bank all added to the holiday cheer.

By nightfall, a packed Manger Square was awash in red, blue, green and yellow Christmas lights.

Merrymakers blasted horns, bands sang traditional Christmas carols in Arabic, boy scout marching bands performed and Palestinian policemen deployed around the town to keep the peace.

Bethlehem used to attract tens of thousands of tourists from around the world for Christmas celebrations, but attendance dropped sharply following the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising in 2000.

As the fighting tapered off over the last five years, attendance steadily climbed. The town's 2,750 hotel rooms were booked solid for Christmas week, and town officials say more hotels are under construction.

Israeli officials have said they expect about 90,000 visitors in Bethlehem during the current two-week holiday season, up from 70,000 last year.

But the bloodshed has left its mark. Visitors entering the town must cross through a massive metal gate in the separation barrier Israel built between Jerusalem and Bethlehem during a wave of Palestinian attacks last decade.

POEM OF AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER (HIS VERSION OF TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS)

I heard this on the radio and it gave me a very heavy heart. To all my boys in Iraq and Afghanistan, we shall remember you in our prayers during this Christmas season. To every veteran, a job well done and your service will never be forgotten. God Bless you and God Bless the USA!

This poem was by an unknown soldier and it became an Internet sensation. The poem is another version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The story tells of Santa delivering gifts on Christmas Eve, only to find a army private on his own without presents or decorations. Please copy and paste and spread this around. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

It was the night before Christmas

He lived all alone

In a one-bedroom house

Made of plaster and stone

I had come down the chimney

With presents to give

And to see just who

In this home, did live.

I looked all about

A strange sight I did see

No tinsel, no presents

Not even a tree

No stocking by mantel

Just boots filled with sand

On the wall hung pictures

Of far distant lands

With medals and badges

Awards of all kinds

A sober thought

Came through my mind

For this house was different

It was dark and dreary

I found the home of a soldier

Once I could see clearly

The soldier lay sleeping

Silent, alone

Curled up on the floor

In this one-bedroom home

The face was so gentle

The room in disorder

Not how I pictured

A true British (American) soldier

Was this the hero

Of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho

The floor for a bed

I realised the families

That I saw this night

Owed their lives to these soldiers

Who were willing to fight

Soon round the world

The children would play

And grown-ups would celebrate

A bright Christmas Day

They all enjoyed freedom

Each month of the year

Because of the soldiers

Like the one lying here

I couldn’t help wonder

How many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve

In a land far from home

The very thought brought

A tear to my eye

I dropped to my knees

And started to cry

The soldier awakened

And I heard a rough voice

“Santa don’t cry,

“This life is my choice

“I fight for freedom

“I don’t ask for more

“My life is my god

“My country, my corps”

The soldier rolled over

And drifted to sleep

I couldn’t control it

I continued to weep

I kept watch for hours

So silent and still

And we both shivered

From the cold night’s chill

I did not want to leave

On that cold, dark night

This guardian of honour

So willing to fight

Then the soldier rolled over

With a voice soft and pure

Whispered: “Carry on Santa,

“It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch

And I knew he was right

“Merry Christmas my friend

“And to all a good night.”