In the Name of Love....

Christmas is nearly upon us and 2010 is just around the corner. Being an eternal optimist I always know that there is hope and have plans to work hard towards a new beginning in 2010.

We have gone through many trying times in our life, and one thing I always remember is that when it changes for the better, it happens in an instant. One minute our needs are staring us in the face and through the Grace of God we are sent an answer to our prayers. So for those of you that need an answer, keep believing in the Christmas Miracle.

Now on to this year's Christmas Story, we have to say, we weren't sure what to write, and as usual it just started flowing in. We truly hope this story touches all those that need an encouraging message.

To embrace the true meaning of Christmas you must embrace pure unconditional love itself.  Although, the nature of unconditional love and its purpose often confounds the logical mind.

As mere mortal beings, we did not create love instead we are the product of love's good intention. We all strive to be embraced with the warm and nurturing qualities of love, yet often it eludes us....read on...

If you didn't get to read last year's Holiday Tale, it is still very pertinent for the coming year..."There is light at the end of the tunnel" a cliche, but one with meaning, and something we do believe....read on....and gain your own sense of Hope, Faith and the Light at the end of the Tunnel.

Featured Event...

Christmas for the Kids at John C. Campbell Folk School

December 19, 2009 • 1-3 pm • Free

Each year John C. Campbell Folk puts on a Christmas party for children, free for all. Music, Dancing, Games, refreshments and Santa. If you are looking for a great event for the kids, this is it.

Wander through all the Highlander's Collection of Christmas Tales, from A Merry...Humble Mountain Christmas to Christmas at the Biltmore, Gingerbread Houses at the Grove Park Inn and others...

Looking for Christmas Events....

Check out our Event Calendar for other Holiday Events throughout the mountains.

Down the Chimney...Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Blue Ridge Highlander would like to wish everyone a very special Merry Christmas and spread the love, hope and joy that we feel.  It has been a difficult year for all of us, I don't know anyone that hasn't been effected in some way from what is happening in our country.  

This year we were inspired to write two Christmas Stories, one to touch your heart and one to tickle your funny bone. Our goal for this second feature was to introduce you to a very special event at a very special state park and give you a story to chuckle about.

From the first day we began writing our first Christmas story, Hope, Faith and the Light, we have felt inspired and been excited about the potential next year has to offer.  After launching the story we got more emails than ever before from people in all walks of life sharing their feelings about how the story made them feel, and how it gave them hope for a brighter tomorrow.  Read Hope, Faith and the Light and get inspired.

Then we were invited to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park for their Annual Christmas Event which inspired our second Christmas story of the year.  What a great event, we had a blast.  Read our story, a link is below and it will truly make you laugh and laughter is contagious and heals what ails ya.

Where does Santa go to train for his Christmas Eve journey down chimneys all over the world?

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park in Western North Carolina... of Course!

Mrs. Highlander and I would like to thank the staff at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park for inviting us to this special holiday event.

Its great to get to see Santa once again, we haven't seen him for many years nor have our daughter and son-in-law. Our granddaughter Maddie has been informing us that Santa's doing just fine and looks great, she says, "He thinks he's so quiet but he's really not."....for a fun story and a good hearted, jolly laugh, read on...

In our quest for this year's first Christmas Tale, we were quite perplexed because of the current times.

Mrs. Highlander recommended an abstract thought for me to ponder on..."There is light at the end of the tunnel" a cliche, but but one with meaning, and something we do believe....read on....and gain your own sense of Hope, Faith and the Light at the end of the Tunnel.

Be sure to share our stories with all those you feel could use the inspiration.  And remember, we are a resilient people, we will pull out of this towards a brighter tomorrow.  Changes happen when we think creatively and look in ourselves to the answers to the issues we are faced with.

Merry Christmas and God Bless Us All.....Mrs. Highlander

Hope, Faith and the Light

The Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains are a very special place.  A place where you can visit or live away from the hustle, bustle and stresses of today's confused world.  I am not saying that the mountains aren't feeling some of the same issues as the rest of the world.  But I don't think we are feeling the issues as severely as the rest of the world.

We feel truly Blessed to have the privilege to publish the Blue Ridge Highlander.  It has always been our goal to inform, entertain and inspire our readers and hope you take the time to explore the Blue Ridge Highlander and find the peace the mountains have to offer.

In our quest for this year's Christmas Tale, we were quite perplexed because of the current times. 

Mrs. Highlander recommended an abstract thought for me to ponder on..."There is light at the end of the tunnel" a cliche, but one with meaning, and something we do believe....please read on....and gain your own sense of Hope, Faith and the Light at the end of the Tunnel.

For those of you that haven't read last years Christmas Tale, I know that you will enjoy it after reading this year's tale. This Christmas tale is several stories in one, our purpose is to take you back to the true essence of Christmas.

Please take the time to forward links to our story to all those you know that would benefit from the inspiration of the writings.  I also invite you to post comments about the story.  We have gotten a lot of great emails regarding the story and love to hear from all of you about how the stories made you feel.

Checks out our list of Christmas Events in the Mountains.

Below are a couple of our featured events, the first one coming up Saturday, December 13th.

December 13th, 2008
Santa is rappelling down Chimney Rock to get ready for his Christmas Eve trip.

December 20th, 2008
Christmas for the Kids at John C. Campbell Folks School

We will be reporting on this event in our next newsletter, coming out next week.

Enjoy the Holidays and Count your Many Blessings

God Bless Us All....Mr. & Mrs. Highlander

Christmas Festivals in the Mountains

Christmas is right around the corner, and the reports all say that retail spending is higher than last year what a great report, it is nice to have some good news for a change.   We are really looking forward to the new President's plans and know this country can get back on the right track with some hard work and a lot of faith.

Mr. Highlander is working on this year's Holiday Tale, and it sounds like a perfect message for the end of this year and a fresh new beginning.  If you haven't read our past Holiday Tales, we have a nice collection and you can find links on the front page of the Highlander.

It is a great time escape to the mountains to enjoy a few festivals. Christmas events are now on line for Georgia, Western North Carolina and Tennessee, click to find a few to attend.

Here are a couple of our favorites and one unusual one we are visiting for the first time this coming Saturday, click the links for more information.

Christmas at the Fort December 6, 2008

Christmas for the Kids at John C. Campbell Folks School December 20, 2008

Now, for the unusual...

the Highlander is looking forward to attending this events for the first time.

Santa is rappelling down Chimney Rock to get ready for his Christmas Eve trip December 6th & 13th 2008

We will be reporting on this event in our next newsletter, along with our 2008 Holiday Tale.

Enjoy the Holidays and Count your Many Blessings, Mrs. Highlander