CHRISTMAS DECÒR

Christmas decorations
There can be no Christmas without Christmas decorations! Decors evoke Christmas sentiments among children and grown-ups.

Christmas decorations date all the way back to the old Christmas markets in 16th century Germany. In those days, Christmas food, such as sugar rods, honey cakes, and other Christmas candy, were particularly used as Christmas decorations. In the 18th century, many other kinds of Christmas decorations became popular. Among them were glazed paper, colored paper, and those which contain candies, nuts, cakes, raisins, and fruits.

Today, many different kinds of Christmas decorations are known. Here are a few:

Angels:

As early as the mid-1880’s, using angels as Christmas decorations became widespread. Angles are associated with the Christian culture, but are also known in Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, where angels or beings similar to angels are used as messengers.

Christmas balls:

As far back as three hundred years ago, glass balls were already used as Christmas decorations. Today, the big, shiny balls of thin plastic or glass are used. They were originally invented in Germany.

Christmas candles:

To decorate the Christmas tree with Christmas candles is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century – the time when the Christmas tree was first brought into a living room. The candle symbolizes life and joy in a dark time, and is perfect for Christmas

Tinsel:

In 1610, tinsel was invented in Germany and was made from genuine silver. Machines that shredded silver into thin tinsel-sized strips were invented. However, since silver tinsel tarnishes and loses its shine over time, people eventually created artificial replacements. It must be noted that the original inventor of tinsel remains unknown.

In many families, Christmas decorating traditions and decorations are passed on from generation to generation. However, every year, new decorations are purchased to replace the old or if new inspiration is needed.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

Christmas stockings
Christmas stockings are hung near the chimney on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill it with goodies for the children. It is an empty sock or a bag that is given the shape of a sock. The children in United States and some other countries have been following this tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking, believing that Father Christmas will fill it with sweets and gifts for them. The items that are believed to be stuffed in the Christmas stocking by Santa Claus are known as stocking stuffers.

The tradition of the Christmas stockings began by a story told since ancient time about a kind noble man who had three daughters. The wife of the nobleman expired and the daughters and their father were left in a state of sorrow. The daughters had to do all the work in the house. When the daughters became young and eligible for marriage, the poor father could not afford to give the huge dowries to their husbands.
One evening the daughters, after washing their stockings hung them near the fire place to be dried. Santa Claus being moved by the plight of the daughters came in and put in three bags of gold one in each of the stocking hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman had enough for his daughter’s marriage. The daughters got married and they lived happily ever after. Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings.

Christmas stockings are supposed to have the gifts given by Santa Claus. The other gifts are wrapped in present papers and placed near the Christmas tree. It is believed that a child who misbehaves during the year will not get a gift in their Christmas stocking. The Christmas stockings are traditionally hung on the fireplace. But as most of the modern homes do not have a fireplace, any location is suitable for hanging the Christmas stockings. In many traditions the Christmas stocking is to be stuffed by a gift that will stimulate the five sensory organs.
The gift given by Santa Claus would be something to eat, a thing that makes a sound and gives a pleasant view to the eyes or gift which has a lovely fragrance.In the present modern culture there are special Christmas stockings available in the market. Some families design unique stockings for each family member.

REAL HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

The Story of the Christ Child and Christmas

When Rome was a great Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and Israel was governed by King Herod, in the village of Nazareth lived Joseph and Mary. Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin who would become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which she was visited by an angel who told her she had been chosen to bear the Son of God and his name was to be Jesus.
One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary who was with child, and close to the birth, rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They traveled for many days and only rested at night. When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to rest but there were no empty rooms when they reached the inn. As they were being turned away Joseph mentioned his wife was with child and close to birth. The inn keeper took pity on them and told them of some caves in the nearby hills that shepherds would stay with their cows and sheep.
So Joseph and Mary went up into the hills and found the caves. In one cave was a stable room. Joseph cleaned it and made beds of fresh hay. He found a feeding trough which he cleaned and filled with hay to use as a crib. The next night Mary gave birth to a son and they named him Jesus, as the angel had said.
When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepherds were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.
"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."
After the angels departed the shepherds set out for Bethlehem. When they reached the cave they found the stable and inside was the child wrapped in swaddling clothes.
As the star shined over Bethlehem, in the east three kings would see it. They knew it was a sign and they set off to follow the star. There was Caspar - the young King of Tarsus, Melchior - a long bearded old man and leader of Arabia, and Balthazar - the king from Ethiopia. They traveled on camels for many days over the mountains, and through the deserts, and plains. Always following the bright star.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem they found the child in the manger. The 3 kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They would stay the night in the cave and the next day returned to their lands to spread the news.

After Christmas Tips

Christmas is over and you have to focus on the new coming year. But before that, use these tips to organize much easier your next Christmas holiday.
If you do not want to miss any of the people who sent you Christmas cards, make a list with their names. Add the names of the rest of the people you want to, and save it on your computer. It will be easy every time through the year to add the name of a new friend or new colleague you want to sent Christmas card next year.
Usually after the holiday, the many shops organize big sales. Use that and buy as many cards as you need. Do the same with the wrapping paper. This can save you up to 60%of the price.
If you want to save your Christmas decoration for the next year, you have to buy big enough storage containers. But if you want to surprise family and friends with new ones, then you can go on the traditional January sales and this money can help you for the next year new decoration.
You can use the same list with names you did and choose the people you want to buy presents for. Write next to their names what you would like to buy and throughout the year, use the big sales to buy what you can. Calculate how much you have spent for this years Christmas holiday- cards, gifts, special food and cloths, Christmas decoration and other expenses. Separate the amount into 12. Now you will know how much you have to save each in the next months to avoid the big Christmas credits.
Ask your family and closer friends what were the most interesting and the least liked things and activities they did. This will help you to focus on the preferred activities and you will avoid the ones that nobody liked.If you follow this tip you may organize the best Christmas.

Christmas Lights History

Starting with the middle of the seventeenth century people traditionally used small candles to lighten up the Christmas tree. Within two centuries it became a well-known tradition. Firstly it was established in Germany, and then it was spread to Eastern Europe.
Small candles were put on the Christmas tree‘s branches with the help of either pins or melted wax. Candleholders were first used for Christmas candles approximately in 1890. Later, between 1902 and 1914 people began to place candles into special small lanterns and balls made of glass.
In 1882 Christmas tree was first decorated with the electric lights. It was Edward Johnson who lit New York Christmas tree using eighty small electric light bulbs. Edward Johnson was the very human who made the 1st string of electric Christmas lights. Mass production of such strings dates to 1890.
Meanwhile different shops began to utilize these new Christmas lights for their holiday displays. It was 1900.
Edward Johnson, who lit the first Christmas tree with the help of electricity, was an inventor working under the Thomas Edison’s direction. Throughout the years he became vice-president of Edison’s electric company.
A New Youk tragical fire, that was caused buy Christmas tree candles, occasioned Albert Sadacca to invent the first electric Christmas lights. It happened in 1917, a young inventor was just fifteen. Then his family sold decoration items along with the lights invented. Sadacca managed to accommodate some of his products into safety electric lights used for Christmas trees. The first year Sadacca managed to sell only one hundred strings of white electric bulbs.
The next year, thanks to brightly colored electric lights offered to people, Sadacca and his family’s business start increasing. Later it became a profitable multi-million production of colorful electric Christmas lights. Throughout the years, NOMA Electric Company belonging to Albert Sadacca and his brothers Leon and Henry managed to become the most successful and largest world company offering lightening.

Christmas Dinner Menu

It is common knowledge that baked ham is a traditional meat for Christmas dinner. The advantage of this meat is that if you did not manage to cook ham, with no efforts you can buy in your local store a pre-cooked and pre-cut one. The only thing you will need to do is to heat ham. To bring into your ham a tasty flavor you may add maple syrup, brown sugar, pear or pineapple juices. You can use a glaze as well.
If you prefer to cook baked ham by yourselves the following tip will be very helpful for you. To preserve the ham’s moisture put the meat cut side down on the roasting pan and covering it with a tent of the foil. Take off the foil tent for the last fifteen-twenty minutes of meal’s cooking. If you wish to burnish the glaze for baked ham you will need to boil oven to broil within 5 minutes.
Before preparing this tasty Christmas meal do not forget to consult for baking time with the label on the bought ham. As a rule, fully cooked ham’s baking time is 10 minutes per pound. Partially cooked ham should be baked until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F, it is about 20 minutes per pound.
It is up to you to buy either boneless ham or bone-in one.

Note more flavorful is bone-in ham, however, it is not so easy to cut it. Serving measure for bone-in ham is about 1/2 to 3/4 pound per person; for boneless one it is1/4 to 1/2 pound per person. If possible, purchase more ham as there are lots of leftovers.
Nowadays you can obtain spiral sliced ham that is fully cooked. You do not need much time or efforts to cook it because everything you need is just to heat it following the direction displayed at the label. It goes with a glaze baked onto meal.
If you wish to store leftover ham you can place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it, thus, it will be kept for up to 2 months.No doubt, your Christmas ham will be the tasty one. Enjoy it!

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: TRADITIONAL ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CAKE

Traditional English Christmas cake

This is a traditional Christmas cake prepared in the southwest part of England. It is very easy recipe to make but you will need several hours to make the cake, one night for soaking and 5 days resting time.

The ingredients that you will need are:

4 eggs

250 g flour

250 g brown sugar

250 g butter

250g dark raisins

250 g sultanas

250 g currants

100g chopped candied cherries

1/2 glass brandy

1tst allspice

1tsp vanilla

1tsp almond extract

1tsp baking powder
For the decoration you will need:

50 ml water

250 g apricot jam

500 g almond paste
For Royal Icing

3 eggs

700g icing sugar

20 ml lime juice

1 tsp glycerin
In a large bowl mix the dried fruits, brandy, cherries, almond extract and vanilla and leave to soak for one night.

Cream the sugar with butter.

Separately beat the egg yolks and then add to the butter mixture.

Combine the dry mixture with the butter mixture very well.

Mix the flour, allspice and baking powder with the other mixture.

Line a round pan cake with parchment paper and grease it.

Preheat the oven to 160C and pour the mixture.

Bake for 2 hours.

You have to wait for 30 minutes before removing the cake from the pan.
In a small saucepan heat the jam and water and bring to boil, until the liquid is smooth and brush it over the cake.

Sprinkle your working surface with sugar.

Roll out 2/3 of the almond pastry into a rectangle.

The high of the cake and the width of the rectangle should be the same size.

With this band of almond pastry cover the sides of the cake and press the ends together.

The remaining of the almond pastry rolls out a square with the same size as the top of the cake and places it on the cake.

Now you have to leave the cake to dry for 5 days in a warm room.
To make the icing you have to:Beat the egg whites very well and with spoon add the icing sugar, glycerin and lemon juice. When soft peaks form, cover the bowl and leave for 3-4 hours. Ice it and garnish the cake with cranberries or spring holly.

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: BEST COOKIES

Christmas cookies with cherries

1 egg3 cups flour

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup butter

5 g vanilla extract

250 g red fruitcake cherries

250 g fruitcake green cherries
Mix well with electric mixer butter and sugar.

Add egg and vanilla and beat well.

Slowly add 2 1/4 flour until completely mixed.

Chop the cherries and add.

Separate the dough into two pieces.

Shape into logs, wrap in wax paper and leave for overnight in refrigerator.

Preheat the oven. Cut the log into 3sm cookie slices and bake for 15 min.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Winter cookies

50 g chocolate

100 g butter

100g sugar

300 g flour

100 g cocoa powder

100 g cornstarch

3 g vanilla extract

Mix butter, sugar and vanilla and beat till light.

Separately mix flour, cocoa powder and vanilla and then add to the mixture.

Spoon into star shaped baking dish and bake for 15 min.

Melt the chocolate and pour over.

Leave aside to cool and dust with powdered sugar.

Lemon cookies

4 eggs300g sugar

70 g flour

70 g fresh lemon juice

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp powdered sugar

Cookie dough

Slice cookie dough into pieces and bake for 15 min in preheated oven.

Mix beaten eggs, sugar, flour and baking powder, fresh lemon juice and blend very well.

Pour this mixture over the hot cookies and bake for 20 min additionally.

Dust with powdered sugar and cut into star shape.

Christmas nuts cookies

1 egg1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts

50 g chocolate bars

Cream butter and sugar and add egg and vanilla.

Mix separately flour baking soda and salt and add it to the mixture.

Stir chocolate bars and nuts. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 15 minutes.

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: ITALIAN COOKIES

Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
* 8 eggs


* 1 cup oil


* 1 cup sugar substitute


* 1 cup milk


* 5 teaspoons vanilla


* 1 teaspoon salt


* 8 teaspoons baking powder


* 6 cups whole wheat flour
Directions
1. Mix together all liquid ingredients with mixer and then add flour until you get a dough (similar to a bread dough but not as dry).


2. Cut dough in four pieces.


3. Cut a slice approximately 1/2 inch and roll out. You can either twist into a braid or a circle (what ever shape you wish).


4. Bake @ 325 degrees for approximately 20 minutes (until slightly brown).


5. Glaze (Optional) Confectionary Sugar, Milk and Vanilla (mix until you get a slightly stiff glaze and then apply to cookies).





Festive Italian Christmas Cookies
3/4 c. shortening


1/4 c. butter1 tsp. salt


1/2 c. powdered sugar


2 tbsp. vanilla


2 c. sifted flour


1/2 c. chopped pecans
Blend shortening, butter, salt, sugar and vanilla. Add flour and pecans. Drop by tablespoon full onto cookie sheet. Bake in slow 325 degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool then roll in confectioners’ sugar.


Spumoni Slices - Italian Christmas Cookies
These three colored cookies are pretty simple to make and add a nice touch of color to your gift platters.
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup shortening


* 1/2 cup butter


* 3 cups all-purpose flour


* 1 cup sugar


* 1 egg


* 2 tablespoons milk


* 1 teaspoon vanilla


* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda


* 1 (1 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate baking square, melted and cooled


* 4 teaspoons milk


* 1/3 cup chopped candied red cherry


* 1/2 cup chopped pistachio nut


* 1/4 teaspoon rum flavoring


* 3 drops green food coloring


* powdered sugar icing (optional) or melted chocolate (optional)
Directions
1.Beat shortening and margarine or butter about 30 seconds or till softened.


2.Add half the flour, the sugar, egg, 2 Tbsp.


3. milk, vanilla, baking soda, and 1/4 tsp.4.salt.


5.Beat till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.


6.Stir in remaining flour.


7.Divide dough into thirds.


8.Into one portion, mix chocolate and 2 tsp.


9.of the milk.


10.Into second portion, mix cherries.


11.Into third portion mix nuts, remaining milk, flavoring, and enough green food coloring to tint dough.


12.To shape dough, line bottom and sides of an 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan with clear plastic wrap.


13.Press pink dough evenly in pan.


14.Top with chocolate dough.


15.Top with green dough.


16.Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.


17. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.


18.Invert pan; remove dough.


19.Remove plastic wrap.


20.Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices; cut each slice crosswise into three pieces.


21.Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.


22.Bake in 375 oven 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are lightly browned.


23.Remove and cool on rack.


24.Drizzle with powdered sugar icing tinted green or with melted chocolate.


Italian Christmas Wine Cookies
3 c. Mazola oil


1 1/2 c. red wine


1 1/2 c. white wine


Pinch of cinnamon
Boil above together for 1 minute. Sift 8 cups of flour into large bowl. Add: 1 tbsp. honey 3 tsp. salt 2 beaten eggs
Mix well, slowly add the hot mixture; knead until very stiff; if dough is still too soft and sticky, add more flour. Pinch off golf ball size pieces of dough and roll over a grooved board or ravioli board. Fry in deep hot oil. After all the dough is cooked, dip in hot honey, adding a little water to honey as each batch is cooked. Add more honey as needed.

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: LAYERED CHRISTMAS SALAD

Layered Christmas Salad

A delicious recipe that is taylor-made for the holidays by choosing colorful ingredients and creating Christmas color patterns.
Ingredients
For Salad
* 1 (8 ounce) bag mixed greens
* 2 (5 ounce) cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
* 1 red pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
* 1 green pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
* 2 cucumbers, peeled, sliced
* 2 small tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
* 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
For Topping
* 3 cups mayonnaise
* 1 (1 ounce) package salad dressing mix
* bacon bit
* 4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
* 2 tomatoes, cut into eight wedges
DIRECTIONS1. Layer all of the salad ingredients in a clear glass bowl in the order above, beginning with the greens and ending with the frozen peas.
2.Mix the dressing mix into the mayonnaise to taste (about 1/2 to 3/4 of the package). Spread the mixture over the salad so that it is completely covered. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
3.Just before serving, garnish the top by alternating egg and tomato slices on the top. Sprinkle bacon bits over the top.

CHRISTMAS PARTY GAMES

Christmas season is the time when you can spend most of your time at home with your family and friends. This gives you the chance to play many interesting and funny games. Here are some very easy ones, where you can involve the kids too.
A great ice breaker for big Christmas parties is the game called “Finish the story”. Your guests have to sit in a circle. You will need a piece of paper and a pen. In the beginning of the game you will need some prearranged Christmas themes. Each of the players has to add a phrase after the first words which you can read them. You have to write very fast, what each of your guests says. Tell them that they also have to add “and”, “between”, “then”, “because” and so on. If you want you can be the person who adds them while writing the story after that. At the end, when all of the guests have said their phrases read the story loudly. You will be amazed how interesting and funny stories the guests can create. The game is even more interesting if the players are kids, because their imagination creates even more wonderful stories.
Christmas Broken PhoneWhile playing this game, it is guaranteered that all of your guests will laugh. The players have to stay in line, or at least be one next to other very closely. You can be Santa Clause who is calling to tell them very important news. Santa can only whisper the message to one person. Then he has to tell in to the person sitting on his left side, that person to the next, and so on till the last player hears it. Here comes the funnier part. The last person has to say loudly what he has heard. In 99% it is something funny, and usually sounds like a phrase from different language. Especially, if kids are playing.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Christmas is the time when Christmas gifts and greetings are exchanged. With your gift you can show the people you care and love, your feelings. You can show your affection through unique and beautiful present.
The tradition of exchanging presents on this day comes from the time when Jesus was born. Few days after, wise men came to Jerusalem and found him. To express their honor they have prepared expensive presents to him with no expectation in return.This is the main idea on this day. To gift presents to the people we love without expecting anything in return.
Choosing the best present for the people we dare sometimes it is very difficult. You have to put aside your choices and have to think from their point of view what do they need, what they like.
Christmas gifts were homemade some time ago, but in these busy days it is easier to buy something then to spend days preparing presents at home. But what can be more unique then personalized present. If it is a T-shirt for your boy why not print his name on it, or if it is a family photo for your mum why not write your personal message on it?
You can pay any price to see the happy expression on the faces of the people you love when they receive the gifts from you. And especially the parents-they want their kids to be fully of joy and to see the smile on their faces. But choosing the perfect present for children may be very difficult task. They always want their presents to be more different then other kids, they want to be proud with it and all other kids to admire their present. If you want to take the right one why don’t you try to get some clues? Ask him to write a letter to Santa Clause or go together to big kids toy shop. For sure they will find the gift they wish so much.

FUNNY CHRISTMAS CARDS

It is considered that the laughter is an antidote of boredom that, in addition, prolongs our life. Christmas is the very holiday when you have endless opportunities to present many gifts of laughter to your natives, friends and, of course, your beloved. One of the ways to make you close human laugh is giving funny and original Christmas cards to him.
Nowadays there is a vast variety of Christmas cards that may contain love confession, sorry request, humor and the like. They may be uproarious, touching, nice, containing subtle humor and such. Your key task is just to obtain those Christmas cards that will help you to make your close people feel perfect and happy.
You can find special funny Christmas card for each of your friends, thus, making this holiday fascinating and unforgettable for him. Remember you need to keep in mind the sensibilities of the person to whom you are giving the Christmas card. Thus, nobody will feel offended. Avoid those funny cards that contain loud humor as, possibly, the recipient will not understand it.
Nowadays the sources of getting funny Christmas cards are various and numerous. You can find the cards in the stores, Christmas specialty shops and in the internet. You just need to pick up the card you wish to send from the vast Christmas collection that is offered on different sites. No doubt, you will agree, this task is not so difficult and can be easily fulfilled. To paint the Christmas day into bright colors for your friend you may create a funny message to your e-card as well. Thus, you will make him feel pleasant, joyful and happy during the whole holiday.
So, do not be lazy!! Start selecting the funny Christmas cards right now. Thus, you will manage to find special one for each person to whom you are going to send it on the Christmas holiday.

UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Make Something Different for Your Christmas Tree

Turn the ordinary objects into wonderful Christmas tree decoration. The standard colored Christmas balls can be embellished with craft store jewels, nice stickers or you can use glitter paints and spay them. Other possibility is to attach handmade bows, different ribbons or craft paints too.
If you want to go back to the times when you ware a kid, remember the cute paper snowflakes that you made at school. They are very simple but in the same time very sweet yet. You can spend few hours enjoying with your children while preparing them.
Make them in different sizes- small, medium and large. Color some of them in golden and others in silver color, but leave most white. When ready iron them. For snow effect use snow spray or cotton.
For your children’s room, you can make unique decoration with yours and your kid’s toys. For better result choose main theme-if your kid prefer you can decorate it with his favorite bears or dolls. To the larger branches hang the heavier items and the lighter on the higher ones. Than tie some nice ribbons. If the toys are not enough, goon with some plain glass balls and garlands.An interesting decision is to fold many origami figures. You have two possibilities- to choose a theme and to make all the same in different colors, or to make each one unique but in the same color.
If you will spend the Christmas will your relatives and kids, you can make a really nice surprise for them if decorate the tree with candy garlands. Glue together the cellophane wrappers end to end and you will create an extravagant Christmas tree decoration.
Really unusual but quite nice looking decoration can be unused china or silver set cups. With beautiful ribbons in the Christmas colors you can hang them on the tree branches. Also you can add some sugar bows, spoons or even tea spots. Finish the decoration with lots of teabags spread on the branches

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

One repeating Christmas story which is more legendary yet interesting in it's development as 'fact' as often printed throughout the World-Wide Web, is about the origin of this popular Christmas song. This story is reportedly that it originated from the middle ages in that Christmas was extended from a one-day celebration to a 12-day celebration. It begins with Christmas day and ends with the Epiphany - twelve days later.The story of the song develops that during this time period (mid-1500's to the early 1800's) people of the Catholic faith were being repressed by many anti-Christian laws in England. To hide their Christianity but teach their faith, believers came up with a song that was actually a Catechism for children to learn the Catholic faith, and each of the gifts were a clue to the teaching.

This song was published during a time in England when there were many publications that contained double meanings (for example, the nursery rhyme "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool" was believed by many to refer to the tax system. Where the 3 bags of wool created by the peasant had to be given away. One to the master (the King or Royalty), one to the Dame (the landowners who rented to the peasants), and one to the Little Boy who lives down the lane (referencing the Church) leaving nothing for the peasant. This was also occurring elsewhere in the world, most notably in the United States where Benjamin Franklin published many writings with double meanings, including his most famous example: King Richards Almanac.

The Legend:
In the song, 'My true love' refers to God, 'gave to me' refers to being baptized, and the 'partridge in the pear tree' is a direct reference to Jesus the Savior in the first verse of the song.
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-Laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-Swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-Milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-Leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = twelve points of doctrine in The Apostle's Creed

• 
  Others believe the song was simply a delightful rhyme set to music. The song was developed and used as a "memory and forfeits game" that was played by the children of this time period. The game was played by a leader reciting the first verse, and continued around, each child reciting the next verse.


• Many Christians do celebrate January 6 as the Epiphany, also known as the 12th Day of Christmas, the Twelfth Night, Three King's Day. The word epiphany means an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being; an illuminating discovery as when the Magi finally found the baby Jesus. Note that this story does not have "hard evidence" as to the true nature of the song and is more likely anecdotal. It can certainly be used today to teach a part of Christianity. We repeat this story because it is a fun song to learn as well as other Christmas-related songs - no matter what your faith.

The words to The Twelve Days of Christmas are:

• On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.


• on the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.


• On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!

The Creche : NATIVITY ORIGIN

In the year 1223, St. Francis of Assisi introduced a living crib scene at his Christmas Eve Mass in the village of Grecchio, Italy. He wanted to inspire greater religious feelings, and help in the interpretation of the story of the birth of Jesus. News of this live nativity scene spread and people began putting crib figures in their local churches, and then in their homes. From Italy the custom of displaying a Nativity Scene spread.There are events and stories which surround the Nativity of Christ. Some are accepted as the Gospel truths while others are considered dubious (yet interesting to read) in the sense that they may have been subjected to later embellishments in the course of storytelling and translating; or simply that there were story fragments which did not give a full enough text such as the Gospel of St Peter to make them worth keeping in the New Testament. Two main gospels, (the Infant Narratives), contain accounts of the Nativity. The oldest is from the protoevangelium of St James. The Eastern Christian Church accepts many of these stories as part of the Old Liturgy of the Nativity. Many Western Christians have put them in the 'appocryphal gospels' which are legendary stories based on a true event.
Until The Norman invasion of Britain, Christian imagery tended to be very Byzantine, (characterized by formality of design, frontal stylized presentation of figures, rich use of color especially gold), in style, and the stories in the Nativity Cycle were often painted onto church walls as a visual aid to largely illiterate congregations. The Normans, with the blessing of Rome, set about destroying these images by painting over them, because they were “Not Western,” and a new order was evolved. However, as they covered all the old picture-stories with Limewash, they were actually being preserved rather than destroyed. Today many restored churches in England have this wonderful old witness to the early stories of Christ's nativity for all to see.
Today, there are hundreds upon hundreds of styles and materials used to make Nativity Scenes. From fine Italian marbles, full-sized wax museum pieces, ornate sculptured Teak wood, to even kindergarten-produced tissue rolls with glued Styrofoam balls - all representing the miracle of the birth and adoration of Jesus Christ.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An ld Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made fromn mistletoe. The tears of this mother, Frigga, became the white berries of the mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon. Frigga, who was the goddess of love, henceforth gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. It may be that our present custom of kissing under the mistletoe derives from this old legend. Legend holds that the Druids, who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland, held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. It was their belief that only happiness would enter a home when mistletoe hung overt the door. When the Yule season approached, the mistletoe was cut down from the sacred oaks by the Prince of the Druids who used a golden sickle. The mistletoe was distributed to the people who believed it possessed powers of the protection against sickness and evil. Later among Christians it came to symbolize the healing powers of Christ.

The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

St. Luke 2: 1 – 14
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace,good will toward men.