The Christmas Star.

(Gifts under the "Angel Tree")

There once lived a family in the South whose rigid rule sent the children to bed at sundown and made them rise after daylight. One of the boys grew to the age of seven years before he ever saw the stars, and when he was carried out one dark night and caught his first glimpse of the glorious constellations, he exclaimed rapturously to his mother: "Look! Look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?"

The return of Christmas brings into view the Star of Bethlehem. How many human eyes have never yet seen this Star!

The Christmas Card.

The Christmas Card is a Hallmark Channel original movie produced by RHI Entertainment. It was released December 2, 2006, and was written by Joany Kane and directed by Stephen Bridgewater. The movie was filmed on location in Nevada City, California.

In the midst of war in Afghanistan, Cody Cullen (John Newton) is touched by a Christmas card sent by Faith Spelman (Alice Evans) from the small, picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As months pass, the card never leaves his side, giving him the strength to survive and setting him on a mission to find her.

Hallmark Channel collaborated with Operation Dear Abby, who issued a special message in her column: "This holiday season – support the troops by sending a message to our servicemembers." The network also put together a national Cards for Troops campaign and a partnership with America Supports You to build support of Americans for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services. Hallmark Channel also set up a satellite link to reunite Jennifer Parsley, a young woman from Porter, Texas who sent thousands of cards to troops through Operation Gratitude and in the process met serviceman Jeremy Harshman, who is deployed overseas.

Write A Soldier This Christmas.

(To learn more about "A Soldiers' Silent Night" click here)

Silence by Frederick E. Snow, The Outlook 1911

The purple flushing of the eastern sky;

The stately progress of the sun toward

even;

Night's mantle dropping from the quiet

heaven;

The holy hush which brings God's presence

nigh;

The dusky woods where cooling shadows

lie,

Where birds are still and Nature to repose

Sinks gently down; dews falling on the

rose;

Mountains sublime in distance looming high;

The smile of friends when love surpasses

speech;

The hand-clasp, given when sorrow is too

deep

For words. Ah me, the silence of life

Are mightier far, and higher lessons teach

Than all its noisy clamor! Let us reap

The bliss of those who keep themselves

from strife.

These men live and die for our "safe" silent nights. Please remember their sacrifices this season and write them before you sit down to abundant dinner or quiet, peaceful "silent night."

Write American soldiers this Christmas.

• Holiday Mail for Heroes by the American Red Cross
• Any Soldier
• Adopt A U.S. Soldier
• Reagan Round Up
• Soldiers' Angels

Write a British Soldier at Christmas Time.

• Support Our Soldiers!

Write a Canadian Soldier at Christmas Time.

• Chosen Soldier
• Mushing Mum lists the addresses of Canadian Army Post for Christmas Cards
• Write the Canadian Troops
• The Canadian Military Heritage Project