box / bäks noun 1. a container or receptacle, typically rectangular in shape, and made of some type of rigid material, such as wood or metal Once the game is over, the King and pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb   2. the quantity contained in a typically rectangular receptacle Venice of like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one... Read More

joy / joi Noun: 1. great happiness, delight Good news from heaven the angels bring, Glad tidings to the earth they sing: To us this day a child is given, To crown us with the joy of heaven. Martin Luther, 1483 – 1546 Somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy... Read More

or-na-ment / ˈôrnəmənt noun 1. something that lends beauty Anyone may have diamonds: an heirloom is an ornament of quite a different kind. from ‘Mr. Darcy’s Daughters: A Novel’ by Elizabeth Aston, 1948-2016 2. a style of objects or features The building’s identity resided in the ornament. Louis Sullivan, 1856-1924 3. adornment or means of adornment In the house of a blacksmith the ornaments... Read More

pine / pīn noun 1. any coniferous tree belonging to the genus Pinus, having long needle-like leaves The pine stays green in winter…wisdom in hardship. Norman Douglas, 1868-1952   2. the wood of a tree in the genus Pinus The greatest thing my father left me was a love for cutting wood – my love for sawing, especially pine wood. David Lynch, 1946-  ... Read More

short / SHôrt adjective lacking length or height The wise person has long ears and a short tongue. German Proverb   brief Life is short but a smile takes barely a second. Cuban Proverb   quick As long as you don’t fly openly in the face of society, society doesn’t ask any inconvenient questions; and it makes precious short work of the cads who... Read More

yule / yo͞ol noun an antiquated term for Christmas and the Christmas season Here we have battle and blazing eyes, And chance and honour and high surprise, But our homes are under miraculous skies Where the yule tale was begun. from ‘The House of Christmas’ by G.K. Chesterton, 1874-1936   It’s getting on to the Yule Tide The one that comes every year Where... Read More

cheer / CHir noun a shout of joy or encouragement So two cheers for Democracy: one because it admits variety and two because it permits criticism. E.M. Forster, 1879-1970   a state of mind or heart After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem, there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer. William R. Alger,... Read More

hol-i-day / ˈhäləˌdā noun holy day Christmas is a holiday that we celebrate not as individuals nor as a nation, but as a human family. Ronald Reagan, 1911-2004   a day of exemption from work After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working. Kenneth Grahame, 1859-1932... Read More

car-ol /  kăr-əl noun 1. a song of joy, especially at Christmas I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the word repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807 – 1882   2. a round folk dance with singing It is thought that carols were danced to ballads during medieval times... Read More

splen-dor / ˈsplendər noun brilliancy; luster or intense brightness Time will bring to light whatever is hidden; it will cover up and conceal what is now shining in splendor. Horace, 65 BC- BC   magnificence; grandeur The fire that burns a royal palace only enhances its splendor. Nigerian Proverb   an instance or display of pomp It is neither wealth not splendor[,] but tranquility... Read More