Candle
Candle
The candle was first used as a part of the pagan midwinter festivities as this was the darkest times of the year. Candles and bonfires were used to drive away the forces of cold and darkness. During the festival of Saturnalia, wax tapers were given as gifts. For Christians lighting candles represents Jesus as being the "Light of the World." The custom of placing lit candles in windows is still practised in most European countries. Lighting the Advent candles is a custom practised throughout the world and signifies the coming of our Lord. One candle is lit starting four weeks prior to Christmas with all four candles being lit at Christmas.
Candy Cane
The first candy cane was made in the 1670’s by a choirmaster of Cologne Cathedral in Cologne Germany. He took sticks of white sugar candy and bent then into canes which represented a shepherd’s staff. These candy canes became extremely popular at Christmas time and were often used as decorations.
A candy maker living in Indiana during the early 1800’s wanted to create a candy, which would symbolise the meaning of Christmas and become a witness of our Lord’s life. After much deliberation he came up with the idea of the candy cane which would represent the birth, the ministry and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. First he chose a stick of pure white, hard candy. The pure white represents the Virgin Birth as well as the sinless nature and purity of Jesus, while the hardness represents the solid foundation of Christianity and the steadfastness of promises from by God. Then taking the stick of candy he bent one end making the candy into the shape of the letter "J" or by turning it around it represents a "staff" used by shepherds. The letter "J" is the first initial in the name Jesus, our Lord and Savior while the form of the "staff" shows whom Jesus is "the shepherd of man." (Psalms 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd) His next step was to add three small red stripes, which symbolises the pain and suffering he endured during the scourging prior to his death. Next he used one large red stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on the cross. It is through the blood of Christ that our sins are forgiven and the promise of eternal life. The flavour of the original candy cane was peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop belongs to the mint family and was used for purification and sacrifice as we have seen in the Old Testament. Jesus was also sacrificed for the sins of the world. At Christmas time when you see a candy cane remember the true meaning and what the candy cane stands for.
Christmas Cards
The original Christmas cards actually started out as a kind of stationery. John Horsley an artist created the first card in 1843. He had been asked to design a Victorian creation by Sir Henry Cole who then produced the card. This card was a portrayal of a Christmas scene framed in three panels. The centre panel featured children, parents and grandparents seated with some raising their glasses for a toast. The two outside panels were scenes that showed acts of Christmas charity; the left feeding the hungry and the right clothing the naked. Underneath the three panels were the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." This card was not printed until 1846 when 1000 copies were made and sold in London.
The first known Christmas card in America was produced by Louis Prang a resident of in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1875. Louis Prang is credited with popularising Christmas cards by launching nation-wide contest for the best Christmas designs.
Christmas Carols-
See Christmas Carols
Christmas Gifts
The giving of gifts has many origins
but the one most noted is the gifts which were given secretly by Saint
Nicholas. There is also the tradition of the three wise men who bore gifts
for Jesus upon his birth. The Romans had a custom in which children would
receive gifts during Saturnalia. The day on which gifts are given varies
greatly depending upon on a person culture and religion:
| December 6th | - | in memory of Saint Nicholas | ||
| December 24th | - | Christmas Eve | ||
| December 25th | - | Day chosen to celebrate the birthday of Jesus | ||
| January 1st | - | New Years Day - Beginning of the New Year | ||
| January 6th | - | Ukrainian Christmas or Little Christmas also celebrated as known as The Epiphany or Day of the Three Wise Men |
Christmas Stockings
The tradition of hanging Christmas stockings dates back to the 1800’s and is attributed to a story told of Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents and orphaned at a young age he inherited his families’ wealth. Nicholas was a very generous person aiding all those in need, but he did this secretly as he was shy and did not want the glory for these deeds. It is said that Nicholas came to the aid of three maidens whose father could not afford a dowry for them to be married. One night he secretly threw three bags of coins down their chimney and it is said the bags of gold coins landed in the girls’ stockings which were hanging in the fireplace to dry. The children in Holland use to leave their wooden shoes out in hopes that Saint Nicholas would fill them with goodies.
The Christmas stocking filled with presents originated in America. It was first mentioned in the Oxford Dictionary in 1854.
Christmas Tree -
See Christmas Trees
Holly
The Teutonic people normally gathered holly and other evergreens in late December spreading it around the interior of their homes to ward off bad weather and unwanted spirits. In England, the prickly holly was called "he" and the non-prickly "she." The type of holly brought into the house at Christmas determined the ruler of the house. Holly a green shrub is characterised as having dark glossy green leaves and red berries and can either thorny tips or some varieties having no thorns. It should also be noted that the red berries are poisonous to both humans and animals if eaten.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe was used by the Druids to celebrate the coming of winter approximately two hundred years before the birth of Christ. Mistletoe considered a symbol of eternal life was gathered and used to decorate their homes. The Druids used this plant in times of illness as it was said to contain special healing powers. The Romans believed the mistletoe was a plant, which brought about peace and harmony. The Druids used this plant in casting spells and believed if a sprig of mistletoe was held over a woman’s head she was powerless to resist the man’s advances. This is most probably where the custom of hanging mistletoe over doorways and the traditional kiss under the mistletoe comes from.
Nativity -
See Nativity
North Pole-
See The Story of Santa Claus
Reindeer -
See The Story of Santa Claus
Santa Claus -
See The Story of Santa Claus
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