Santa-believer Me!

DE-1784034, Sender: Antje
Sent from Wuppertal, Germany, Sent on 04 Dec 2012
Received on 20 Dec 2012, Traveled 10,319 km in 16 days

I rarely share long status messages in Facebook. (And in fact I haven't really shared one before!) But I was exceptionally inspired than usual last night and posted:

I thought Santa forgot about me...but yes, 20+ girls still get their Christmas wishes coming true! Got mine 50 mins before the 25th is officially over... 

Sobrang salamat po (thank you so much) Big Dad for sending Santa my way even I'm a big girl now! I'll do my best to be even nicer this 2013...so perhaps my gift can come a little earlier next Christmas? Kidding...early or late, just please don't ever erase me on your list even though I'm already a toothless and demented old woman...

I hope everyone's wishes for Christmas came true! If not, I'm sure it's just a little late (like mine almost was). So let's just keep the faith that Santa will drop the gift any time soon. After all, Christmas doesn't really have to be just on the 25th right? ;-)

May we keep the spirit of Christmas: happiness, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love alive all year through! Merry 'all year long' Christmas everyone!

I wish the same for my co-bloggers, readers, and friends in the postcards blog sharing community! ;-)

~maria

Pasko Stamps from 2011

Christmas in our local language (Filipino) is 'Pasko'. I remember when I was a kid, during my early years in grade school, our teachers would quiz us about Christmas symbols. This set of 4 stamps is just perfect learning aid for that! Here we have Christmas bells, the Christmas flower - poinsettia, Christmas presents, and the Christmas lantern or 'parol'.

Parol is my favorite Christmas symbol. It It is also one of the most popular decoration for Christmas in the Philippines. It is a reminder of the star which guided the three wise men to the newlyborn Jesus Christ inside a humble manger in Bethlehem. 

Two days before we celebrate Jesus Christ's birthday. I wish everyone a warm and cheerful celebration with family and friends. May we all be blessed and may we multiply these blessings through kindness and love, not only during this holiday season but all throughout the next year.

I'll be in an internet hiatus from now and until Christmas to spend quality time with family. But, sharing these stamps first with Viridian's blog hop and checking what others have posted before I say 'au revoir' to my buddy Net for a few days. ;-)

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

~maria

Seasonal Greetings!

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: Valeria Novik
Sent from Minsk, Belarus, Sent on 04 December 2012
Received on 20 December 2012, Traveled 8,968 km in 16 days

Here's a surprise card I got yesterday. :D

Valeria wrote at the back of the card:

Thank you for our swap this year. I would love to wish many exciting cards and letters, love, harmony, joy, and happiness. How have you been? How do you plan to spend your holidays? Best regards, Valeria.

Thank you so much Valeria for this beautiful red seasons greeting cards. Thank you also for the well wishes. I also wish the same for you and your family!

Let's hop into Beth's Postcard Friendship Friday page to check out more Christmas postcards ;-) 

Sunday Stamps # 101: The Nativity Scene

First, my apologies to Viridian for being an absentee from the Sunday Stamps blog hop...I hope in the spirit of the holidays you can welcome me again in your stamps blogger community. Thank you for the comment on my Singapore post that I'm being missed. It means so much to me. :)

I really had to look hard at the back of the postcards and letter/cards envelopes I've received for a Christmas theme stamp cause I don't remember having received one...

But wow! From a set of 6 stamps attached on this beautiful envelope I received from Poland in March 15 this year, I found this stamp of a nativity scene! The nativity scene has a special place to my heart. I believe I've posted an entry before, explaining the nature of my first name. My parents played Mary & Joseph for the Nativity Scene of our parish church. Hence, my name Maria Kristina -- from Mary and Christ (Jesus Christ) since my mother was 6 months pregnant to me at that time. 

The nativity scene is also one of my favorite Bible verses in tangible form:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For my readers who celebrate Christmas, may the Christmas symbols continue to remind us of how much Big Dad loves the whole world (Yep, I believe there would be another wonderful holidays celebration this year, the world won't end on 21 December '12!) 

For my readers who aren't into the Catholic/Christian faith, may the symbols and spirit of this holiday season inspire happy and warm thoughts. :)

A great week ahead for everyone! Sharing this post to Viridian's Sunday Stamps on the page dedicated for the love of postcards and stamps.

~maria

11 Days Before Christmas! :D

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: Abran Ochoa
Sent from Santa Clarita, CA, Sent on 24 November 2012
Received on 12 December 2012, Traveled 11743.6 km in 18 days

Abran wrote:

Hi Krissa! How are you dear? I hope very well! I hope you've been in good spirits. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and great 2013! Thanks for your cards and hope we'll swap more soon. God bless my friend.

Thank you so much for the wishes Abran! This is my very first Christmas card and written well wishes received for this year. ;-)

And I surely missed the Postcard Friendship Friday blog hop, so join me in as I link with Beth and the other PFF bloggers!

Eleven days to go before Christmas. I hope despite life's constant challenges, we're all filled with good spirit and cheers! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

~ maria