Christmas Past
Christians believe Christmas represents the birth of Jesus. This holy day is celebrated around the world. 'Cristes Maesse' is from the Old English which means the 'Mass of Christ.' The story of Christmas begins with the birth of baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It is believed Christ was born on the 25th, the exact month is unknown. December may have been chosen by the Catholic Church so the church could compete with the rival pagan rituals held at this time of the year.
The Nativity by Charles - Francois Poerson, 1667
Many Americans feel Christmas, with all its traditions, is a time for bonding with family.
This is a good time to teach children about values like love, compassion, giving and sharing.
HEARTSEASE And RUE
And, clasping kindly hand in hand,
Sing, "Peace on earth, good-will to men!"
And they who do their souls no wrong,
But keep, at eve, the faith of morn,
Shall daily hear the angel - song,
"Today the Prince of Peace is born!" Jones Russell Lowell, 1819-1891
Music has become a wonderful part of Christmas.
The caroling, the cantatas, and the musicals. Traditional music and hymns sung in church are an important part of celebrating Jesus's birth.
We can all enjoy Christmas in New York at the Radio City Music Hall and appreciate the precision of the Rockettes' performance.
The Christmas Tree Angel
Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, a festive parade and the theater have become popular Christmas traditions along with our family gatherings and church services in the past few generations.
This soaring tree draws thousands each night to view its magical lights.
In the 16th century, Germany decorated fir trees both inside and outdoors with apples, roses, gilded candies and colored paper.
A fir tree hung with apples was thought to symbolize the Garden of Eden - the Paradise Tree.
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. By the late 19th century the tree was brought to America by Pennsylvannia Germans and was known as the Christmas tree.
Decorating the Christmas tree has become an important part of our family tradition.
Santa Claus is that mythical gift bringer dressed in red. The name Santa Claus can be traced back to the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means Saint Nicholas.
The modern popular image of Santa was created in the United States. In New York, following the American Revolutionary war, some of the people in New York City sought out symbols that were non English. New York had originally been established as the Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam. Saint Nicholas was reinvented. Then in 1809 the New York Historical Society retroactively name this rosy cheeked fellow Santa Claus.
In 1822, Clement C. Moore composed the poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas, and it was published as The Night Before Christmas. This was a gift for his children. He portrays Santa Claus:
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly,
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself,
A wink of his eyes and a twist of his head
Soon give me to know I had no thing to dread
Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. Clement C. Moore
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. Clement C. Moore
Embrace all the traditions of Christmas!
The Beauty of Christmas
my "Belles Choses" my Beautiful Things
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