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Christmas
globe by mimi
Christmas is for everyone. But we must remember it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Although 25th December was unlikely to be the the exact day of his birth. Seeing as time is only relevant to us on Earth, to God it is unimportant. An Archangel called Gabriel appeared to a young girl called Mary saying "Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favour with God, and behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Mary was fearful especially as she was engaged to Joseph a carpenter. But Joseph had been visited by an angel in a dream who told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and so it was that Jesus was born nine months later. His birth place was no maternity ward, but a stable in Bethlehem with the animals around him. The first visitors to come were shepherds who had been visited also by an angel while on a hillside. They were told to follow a star and their they would find a new baby King called Jesus. Jesus next visitors were three wise men (astrologers) who studied the stars and when they saw this new bright star over Bethlehem they went to find out as to them it was a sign of a new King. The wise men brought with them gifts for Jesus of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men were warned in a dream that King Herod was angry about a new King and would do Jesus harm, so they went back to there country anotherway. Chritsmas is a time of rejoicing to celebrate this remarkable event of this holy family. ********************************************** Saint Nicholas was a follower of Jesus. Nicholas was born in Patara a city in Licia of Asia Minor around 255-257 AD.Nicholas was first a monk near Myra in Turkey, then he was later made an Abbot. Nicholas was from an affluent family and his parents died of the plague when we was young. He inherited vast possessions and devoted these to charity work. He was later to become a Bishop.It was said that a poor man with three daughters who could not marry as they had no dowry to set up home with. Nicholas tossed three purses of money in the window enough for the dowries for the daughters. So the gift became the start of giving gifts. As the story of Saint Nicholas travelled to America and other lands he became Santa Claus and here in the United Kingdom to Father Christmas ***************************** The Christmas Tree was introduced to the UK by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle in 1841 after which the idea grew in popularity. They first came to Europe in Germay in the sixteenth century. Martin Luther is credited with starting the lighted candle tree in Germany after he saw one through a window. The custom began to spread all over the world. ***************************** Christmas crackers were invented in London in 1850 by Tom Smith. These soon became a party favourite in the UK. The crackers today are short cardboard tubes wrapped in coloured paper and traditionally one cracker is placed to each plate at Christmas Dinner. Inside when pulled are coloured hats, a toy or gift and a festive joke. The hats are usually crowns and can be assumed to symbolise the three wise men. Christmas puddings and mince pies were in the 16th century made of boiled beef and mutton and raisens and spices. In the 17th century more sweet fruits were added and the meat left out the pudding was called plum pudding.Now that Christmas Puddings are made so commercially we miss the stirring of the pudding and making a wish. In the early 1900 to about 1950 silver threepenny bits were put in the mix. This ended when they no longer made coins of silver. The pudding when served usually has brandy poured over it and flamed ************************************** Christmas cards in the commercials form were first made in London England in 1843, when one thousand cards went on sale at one shilling each. The first card in USA when a German lithographer emigrated to New York in 1850 and produced his first card in 1860 *********************************** The Star Far away over yonder hills A star shines very bright In the fields the shepherds Wait for the coming of the night, They gather in their roaming Sheep, to keep them safe and sound When an angel of the Lord Appeared with rapture all around ‘Go follow that star’ he said ‘And you will surely find The Prince of Peace is born this day The saviour of mankind’ With anticipation in there steps The shepherds went their way And found a new born babe In a manger he did lay. They saw the mother Mary A smile upon her face With Joseph the whole scene Was filled with love and grace, The angels sang a lullaby Which filled the air with joy So we come at Christmas Time To praise this little boy. Joyce Gale 2004 © ************** Christmas Star A star once shone Upon a hill Where shepherds watched While all was still. An angel came And stood close by Who told them Where a babe did lie. They strolled to That very place And saw a scene Of infinite grace. Joseph, Mary And Jesus child In a manger With creatures mild. Two thousand years Since that night, When a star Shone very bright. Jesus came to Show the way. That’s why we celebrate Christmas Day. Joyce Gale 2003-2005 *************** Nativity Bells ring out on Christmas morn To herald the time, a baby was born In a stable laying there With his mother Mary and Joseph where Lived donkeys, goats and cows Including hens and other fowls. A star shone brightly overhead So shepherds came as an angel lead To see the child on this splendid night Bringing us from darkness into Glorious light. Joyce Gale 2001-05 midi 'Christ is Christmas' by Songs of Praise |
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