Singing the Praises of Christmas

Singing the Praises of Christmas

Christmas ... Oh, the fun of it!  The reason for the season is the birth of baby Jesus in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
Christmas ....The exchange of gifts -- following the lead of the three wise men with their gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Christmas... Jolly old elf -  Santa Clause, St. Nick or Kris Kringle --with the naughty and nice list. Sack full of toys. Ten Commandments.
Christmas... A time for strengthening bonds with family.  Love one another.
Christmas....Carols
Christmas...A way to get through a time of year that could otherwise be dark, long and depressing.

Let's see, here's what you might have been doing lately, if you are one of the many today who participate.  Some say it's overly commercialized, but others like me and mine, take full advantage. We wait all year for this short little time frame when we can shower each other with presents that we wouldn't normally buy the rest of the year.  My family are Christmas lovers and we're not ashamed of it.

Christmas shopping for everyone on your list, including multiple stocking stuffers for all - check.  Sounds simple but means pouring over sales flyers; wandering around stores; wracking your brain for what your loved one might want or need; keeping a running tally of prices so nobody gets more than the other.  Surprizingly enough, I get a kick out of doing this every year.  Our family started a tradition a number of years ago of sharing our wish lists with each other.  That way we all get something we can actually use and need or want and not get useless items or things that inevitably sit on a shelf or get returned or regifted.  Gift cards seemed to have gained some popularity.  At first, they weren't my favorite, but they have grown on me since.  I've found them to come in quite handy.  They are quite practical when you think of the bang you will get for your buck at the Boxing Day sales.  If you're like me, I might not get around to using them until August or so, so always fun to get something new before going back to school.  I just don't think I would want to give or get 100% gift cards because it's always nice to have a variety.  It's the same as giving nothing but cash.  Cash is good, but not very ingenious.  Depending on the amount of cash, I could possibly change my mind.

Giving - check.  Don't walk by those bell ringers; give to the food bank; help someone in need.  Remember the snow angels.  Remember the little children who may not get anything.  Help where you can.  Don't fall for the scam artists. 

Wrapping presents - check.  I'm the world's worst gift wrapper, so as long as I have a gift bag, rolls of paper, scotch tape, and sticky name tags I'm set.  I used to get quite fancy with the ribbons and bows, (when was that?) but that has sort of gone by the wayside. (No kidding).  I'm always happy to get something wrapped prettily, but how they get them to look like that escapes me.

Setting up the tree - check.  This is not one of my favorite activities.  My tree is artificial and has to have each branch shaped by hand.  It's hard on the skin.  I used to have a real tree, but for various reasons including needles all over the house, I switched.  I do miss the smell of pine though.  Other years I have received a fresh Christmas arrangement or wreath and always love those.

Decorating the tree - check.  Almost all the decorations I put on my tree have some sort of personal memory attached to them. Many are gifts from someone over the years. Some were made by my kids when they were little. These are so precious to me. Various friends and relatives have given me some extremely unique and memorable ornaments.  If you're wondering what to get a teacher or somebody who has everything....think about an ornament for their tree.  If you make the ornament yourself, that is even better.  I have a stained glass candle.  I have little mice made out of walnuts with rubber bands for tails. 

Decorating the house - check. I have ornaments  and figurines of all shapes and sizes all over the place.  Of course I have the count-down or advent calendar which is always fun as the day gets closer.  :-).  I will never be able to top my sister-in-law or my Mom though.  They both have whole lighted villages set up on several tables.  They have every manner of Christmas decoration you can imagine....including Christmas clocks and towels.  I have pillows that go on my couch and towels too, but can't always lay my hands on them in time for the season.  I have tablecloths, trays, salt and pepper shakers, etc.

Writing and mailing the Christmas letter - check.  I still haven't given up on this hard copy concept because I, myself love to get real, tangible mail you can touch.  I also love seeing your photographs.  I know email is way easier and cheaper, but it's just not the same for me.  If you live in the same city as me, I usually won't send you a card though.  Surely to goodness I can wish you a Merry Christmas in person.  If I never see you around, then I might have to rethink that idea.

Buying groceries to start Christmas Baking.  Still left to do.  In my family, my children go to their in-laws every other year.  This is that year, so I will host an early Christmas where we will open our gifts from each other.  We will also have a turkey supper.  I can't wait to see my four little grandchildren when they are in the midst of all the paper and the fun. 

A few days later, on Christmas Eve, whoever is around from my family and I generally attend a Christmas Eve service.  I can't remember a time when the church wasn't filled to overflowing with people singing and praying their hearts out.  The nativity scene enactment is always a big hit as is the singing of Silent Night by candlelight.  On Christmas day, I spend the day with others in my family.  We will open gifts and cook a big meal.  We will have put the turkey on to roast over night (which I know is no longer recommended), but the house has such a wonderful aroma, it's hard not to.   It's fun to spend the day lazily playing cards, or games, or simply watching movies.   We usually have a big lunch and then eat left-overs for supper and well into the week.  Naps are big-ticket items on Christmas Day.  Inevitably the phone will ring and it will be even more members of the family wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Boxing Day over the past few years has become a day to shop for bargains.  The stores are generally jam-packed with people out for a stroll and also those who are seriously after a deal.  Usually by the 27th or 28th guests are starting to head for home.  The roads get busy and are usually icy in patches, so please be careful if you are travelling.

So did you ever wonder how Christmas evolved? I did a little reading and want to give credit to the bbc.co.uk for some of the information.

Did you know that Christmas is a combination of christian, pagan and folk traditions?

During pre-Christianity a Sun God pagan custom was to use holly to ward off evil .  Later, holly, with its crimson berries became a symbol of Jesus' crown of thorns.

The Druid Celtic priests cut mistletoe fruit from the oak tree as a symbol of life in dark winter months.

The Norsemen, Romans and Jews participated in a time of feasting and celebration as the days started to grow longer.  They decorated their houses with greenery, lit candles and gave presents.  Yule is associated with the sun being seen as a wheel that changed the seasons. During the winter solstice, they lit bonfires, told stories and drank sweet ale.

In Judaism - Hanukkah is an eight day mid-winter festival of lighting candles to represent a time to remember, to celebrate light, to give gifts, and to have fun.

Scandinavian mythology portrayed a  jolly old elf with a pipe, a sack full of toys, a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer with names, and a life at the North Pole workshop that included elves.

St. Nicholas was the patron saint of sailors who assisted with building their dowry of gold coins.

The twelve days of Christmas are from medieval times where Christmas eve to Epiphany on January 6 was the time period when Jesus was revealed to the world.

The Advent means "coming" and starts November 30 with fir wreaths and four candles.  This is the time period prior to the birth of the savior. 

Alas, in 1644, Christmas was banned in England by the Puritans, so there was no more decorating of houses or making mince pies.  During the Victorian era (1837 - 1901) however, the Dickens Christmas Carol attempted to revive medieval Britian.  It showed the ideals of Christmas including carols, card giving, and the Christmas tree. 

Christmas trees are a German tradition.  In 1834, Prince Albert, a member of the Royal family, was given the gift of a Christmas tree by the Queen of Norway.

So, as you can see, even though you may associate Christmas strictly with Christianity, it really has evolved from several places over time into what we practice today.  

What are those Christmas carols you know every word to?  A few, but certainly not all - While Shephards Watched Their Flocks By Night; Away in a Manger; Silent Night; O Little Town of Bethlehem; It Came Upon a MidNight Clear; Oh Christmas Tree.

What are your favorite dishes at Christmas?  Mine are turkey, gravy, ham, mashed potatoes, jellied salads, cranberries, vegetables, fresh buns, pickles, olives, perogies, cabbage rolls, pie, Christmas pudding,  mincemeat tarts, butter tarts, sugar cookies, ginger snaps, shortbread cookies.  Did I say pie?  :-)

Snacks - chocolates, nuts and bolts, taffy, fudge. Did I say chocolates?  :-)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Felice Navidad, or however you say it.  We all have our special holidays to celebrate.  Christmas is revered by many in the world just as other religions observe their religious holidays.  Whatever you celebrate, please enjoy yourself at this time of year.