Joy To The World!

Friday, December 8, 2006

December 8

St. Nicholas

St Nicholas was born in the third century in Lycia (which is now Turkey). He was born into a wealthy family and was raised to be a very devout Christian. His parents died when he was very young. He sold his whole inheritence to assist the poor. He dedicated his whole life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. He became known for helping those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

He was thrown into prison under the Roman Emperor Diocletian for being a Christian. After his release he attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died Dec. 6, 343 AD and was buried in his church, where a relic, a unique oil, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to him.

Through the centuries, many stories have been told of his life and deeds. I'll just mention one.

It is the story about how stockings got started. There was a poor man with three daughters. Each in turn wanted to get married, but didn't have the money. If they didn't come up with the money, slavery would be awaiting them. In that day and age, the father had to come up with the dowry money for his daughters to be married, but he simply didn't have it. Nicholas, upon finding out that he didn't have the money, threw dowry money through the family's window. It is said that the money landed in their socks hanging by the fireplace. So that is how stockings got started.

If you'd like to hear more about what St. Nicholas did, and some miracles done by him (of course through the power of Jesus Christ), please click on the article below.

Who is St. Nicholas?

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St. Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus

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game: Santa Switch

Gospel reading: Luke 1:26-38

Thursday, December 7, 2006

December 7

Hi! Today is Jokes and Riddles Day! Let's have some fun!

The Best Christmas Riddles

BlackDog's Christmas Jokes & Riddles

A Holiday Fruitcake Recipe (please read, this is funny!)

Gifts your husband doesn't want for Christmas:

10. Anne of Avonlea/Anne of Green Gables Collectors Edition with 74 minutes of extra footage

9. Any knick-knack

8. Tickets to the ballet

7. Another new tie

6. A Bath and Body Works Soap Basket

5. New teddy bear pajamas

4. Vacuum Cleaner

3. A weekend seminar on "Getting in Touch With Your Feelings"

2. Pair of fuzzy bunny slippers

1. A nose and hair trimmer (OK... well, maybe!)

**author unknown

After reading this list, I did my own list of gifts I don't want for Christmas. This is what I came up with: a carton of cigarettes, a bottle of perfume (I can't stand the stuff - I am allergic to it), escargot, a dog collar, a gerbil or any other rodent for that matter, live fish bait, a subscription to Popular Mechanics, a lamb dinner, a cork screw (I don't drink, and I HATE the taste of wine, LOL), a Chia Pet, a pet rock, and a punk rock CD!!!

Okay, so here is what I want you to do. In the comments section name one or more things you DO NOT want to receive for Christmas! Thanks for playing along! Krissy :)

game: Frosty's Stress Relief

Gospel reading: Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

December 6

The Christmas Tree

The first Christmas tree

The first Christmas tree started with St. Boniface (born Winfrid in 680). He was a British monk and missionary to Germany. Boniface found it difficult people were attracted to Christianity but unable to give up their religion and superstitions, perhaps out of fear of being different or of how the old Viking "gods" would react. Much of the worship of these persons was centered around sacred trees at which they practiced sacrifices and made offerings to the gods.

Knowing that the people needed reason to let go, Boniface called the tribes to a display of power. Preaching about the birth of Jesus under a great sacred tree dedicated to Thor, he found himself facing an angry, armed crowd. As the people watched, Boniface approached the giant oak of Geismar, a sacred tree dedicated to Thor, with an axe. He began to chop the oak tree but nothing happened. Finally with a crack, the tree split in four parts and fell to the ground in the shape of a cross. All the trees around were crushed except a single small fir tree. There stood St. Boniface, axe in hand, unharmed by their old gods, strong in the power of the One God.

It is said that he used that small triangular fir tree as an illustration of the birth of Christ, and of the Trinity (because of it's shape), telling the story of how the One God sent his Son to save the world from sin. Small fir trees were hung upside down from the rafters of homes and churches as a symbol of Christianity from the twelfth century. They later became decorated with apples and sweets, and tradition has it that Martin Luther put candles on a tree for his children.

The first Christmas trees in America

The claim of the Pennsylvania Germans to have initiated the Christmas tree custom in America is undisputed today. And it's in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree and it's many decorations received their first mention in the New World.

It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the Christmas tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The Pilgrim's second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against the "heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated that "sacred event".

Sources:

The Origins of the Christmas Tree

The Legends of Bishop Boniface of Mainz

Decorating your Christmas Tree

Decorating Trees Florida Style

How To Decorate an Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree

games: The Christmas Tree Game (challenging)

Decorate the Christmas Tree

Remember the Colorforms you used to play as a child? They were so fun! Now you can play them online!:

Elle's Decorate the Living Room!

Another Living Room to Decorate from Elle

Decorate My Living Room!

Gospel reading: Matthew 15:29-37

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

December 5

What is Christmas?

The word Christmas comes from the words Christes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus for members of the Christian religion.

Christmas is both a holiday and a holy day. In America it is one of the biggest events of the year (especially for kids), and for members of the Christian religions it is an important day on the religious calendar.

The federal government, all state governments, all schools and universities, and the vast majority of businesses in America give employes one or more days off at Christmas, making it an important holiday.

Santa and opening presents is also a big part of Christmas.

Why is Christmas such a big deal?

There are two reasons why Christmas is such a big deal.

1st reason: According to the 1994 Britannica Book of the Year, there are 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making Christianity the largest religion in the world. In America, 241 million out of a population of 281 million people profess to be Christians (that's 85%). Because Christians follow Jesus, the birthof Jesus is important to them.

2nd reason: In America, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the biggest shopping weeks of the year. Many retailers make up to 70% of their revenues in the month preceding Christmas. Therefore, retailers hike the event beyond belief.

Why is Christmas spelled Xmas?

The word of Christ in Greek is Xristos. The use of the shortened form Xmas became popular in Europe in the 1500s.

game: Disco Dancing Santa

Gospel reading: Luke 10:21-24

**Krissy**

Monday, December 4, 2006

December 4

~~ Christmas Quizzes ~~

Baby Jesus Quiz

Christmas Knowledge Quiz

Christmas Quiz - Novice

Christmas Quiz - Regular

Christmas Quiz - Expert

Real Reindeer Facts

Reindeer Quiz

game: Follow Roony The Reindeer

Gospel reading: Matthew 8:5-11

Sunday, December 3, 2006

December 3

Hi. Today is Sunday, Dec. 3, the first Sunday of Advent. I hope you are having a good day!

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36):

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,

stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Jesus tells us we must always be ready when He comes. During the Advent Season we really focus on preparing ourselves for His Second Coming, just as we ponder His first coming into this world by His birth. According to today's Gospel, we can prepare ourselves for His return in three ways:

Luke 21:28 says " Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." We need to look beyond our present circumstances, and look at the Lord. One way we can do this is by strengthening our prayer life with Him. Another way would be through attendance in church. Let us do whatever will help us focus on Him, and foster our relationship with Him.

Luke 21:34 says to "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkeness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly..." Let's think for a moment about being weighed down by the "worries of life". Does that ever happen to you? It happens to me. We often fail to focus on the Lord if we are worrying about the circumstances of our daily lives. We can get caught up in our problems and choose worry and anxiety, or we can choose trust in God and commit our circumstances to the One who has real control!

And finally, Jesus makes one more statement, in the passages we are given today, of how we should act. In Luke 21:36 He says "Be alert at all times, praying that you will have the strength to escape all the things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." This speaks of alertness and prayerfulness. Alertness and prayer will strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.

Keep your eyes on Him this Advent Season, and always.

~~ The beginning of Christmas Cards ~~

When did Christmas cards begin? Christmas cards started in London in 1843 and in America in 1846. Today, about two billion Christmas cards are exchanged every year in the United States.

Click this link to read about the first Christmas card.

~~ Easy To Make Christmas Cards ~~

Wax Resist Christmas Card

Christmas Tree Card

Snowman Card

games: enter your first name
Drag and Drop Tic Tac Toe

Gospel reading: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36