+Christmas+
+Christmas+
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christa the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:8-20
Legends.....
The
Legend of
The Candy Cane
A humble candy maker in
Indiana wanted to make a candy that
would be a special gift for the King of Kings,
so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He
incorporated several symbols for the
birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy to
symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Christ,
and hard because the church is built on solid rock, and firmness, for God’s
promises are a firm foundation. He formed it in the shape of the letter -J-
to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior.
It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which
He reaches down in to the ditches of the world to lift out the
fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. Then he added
three small red stripes to represent the scourging Jesus suffered on His way
to the cross. One large red stripe would remind those with eyes to see and
ears to hear of the promise of eternal life. It would be a gift
of love that
would tell His story
-the greatest story ever told.
Poinsettia
The legend of the poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children loved Christmas but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course other children teased them when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.
Christmas Rose
The Legend of the Christmas Rose speaks of a young girl named Madelon who wanted to come worship the Christ Child. Seeing the gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by others who were drawn to the humble birthplace, she despaired that she had no gift to bring, for Madelon was poor indeed.
In vain she searched the countryside for a flower that she might bring, but the winter had been cold and harsh - and there were no flowers to be found. Saddened, the girl began to weep. An angel passing over her stopped to provide comfort and smote the ground that was wet from her tears. There did spring a beautiful bush that bloomed of white roses.
"Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold," said the angel, "is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses." And thus young Madelon went her way and worshipped the Prince of Peace, bearing the gift of her heart and tears.
Stockings
A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. Tradition says that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal.
Children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings. In some countries children have similar customs, in France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.
By tradition, the stocking is hung on the fireplace, but, since modern homes often do not have a fireplace, it is hung in almost any location when no fireplace is available, under the assumption that Santa can find it wherever it is.
Originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. Today, stores carry a tremendous variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, from small and conservative, to long and stretchy, to gigantic.
Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family member's name applied to the stocking so that Santa (or the family members) aren't confused about which belongs to whom
In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. In Hungary children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill.
Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch. And in Puerto Rico children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings.
(cards,games,music)
North Pole
(all kinds kids activities, north pole, books, coloring, letters)
Puzzle...Can you find the bridge, the road, the school, the play ground, the bank, the store, the church, the farm, the Christmas Tree? What else do you see??
Yule Log
Burning the Yule Log is a crucial Christmas tradition today. The custom of Yule log varies from region to region. It was originally a large tree brought to the house with great ceremony. On Christmas, people light the Yule log placed in the hearth and wish that it burns for longer. As per the belief, all the family members must sit on it before it is burnt. It is also customary to say prayers and sing Christmas songs while performing the traditional activity. In some families, young girls and mothers take the privilege to light the log. The burning of the Yule Log brings in good fortune for the family and friends and scare off the evil spirits. After the Christmas celebrations, a piece of the Yule log is kept to relight the next year's log.
The custom of Yule Log is performed with high spirits and sanctity. Different countries have different ways of performing this tradition. Even different kinds of wood are used today to keep alive the spirit of the tradition. Here are some of the examples of the tradition of Yule Log performed in different countries:
One of many legands.....
Christmas Tree......it seems as though since I researched it ten years ago, now many countries and faiths have their own story....
The earliest tree was in 700 in Germany
It became popular by the King and Queen of England and would assume that is how it came to the United States......
The story/legend I heard is that a monk was walking through the forrest and the beauty of the stars through the tree's reminded him of Jesus(The Bright & Morning Star)......he brought the tree home, and wanted to duplicate the light so he set candles on the branches, to copy the stars.....further studying the tree, he decided it also was a good witness.....God created it......and it has three points.....the top and both sides, so he explained it as a witness to non believers that , it could represent the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. The tree was further expanded upon with food, as bulbs were not available at that time; apples, fruit, corn, bread.....etc.....today several new legends have sprang up......so whom knows.....for sure???
Christmas Wreath
Widely known, the customs of Christmas come from the traditional celebration of the birth of Christ, which was later on combined with the harvest and winter solstice festivals in ancient Rome. From ancient times, the celebration has involved making offerings and decorating with evergreens, wreath being one of the most popular form.
Wreaths that are displayed at Christmas time are in the form of a circle, signifying eternity. They also serve to wish people happiness in the new year. Christmas Wreaths are decorated with candles symbolizing the sun at winter solstice, and with holly, evergreens, red berries, and pinecones, symbolizing the harvest, which might have come down since the time of ancient Rome.
Christmas wreaths can adorn any part of the home, inside or out. In many homes, this symbol of growth and everlasting life can be found both inside and out. Today, it is sometimes hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas. The wreath over the hearth brings a warmth to people hearts and helps them to reflect upon the true meaning of this very special day.
All art work by: Spirit Walker, copyrighted 1990-2009
Animations by: Amazing Animations....and also the dividers.
