December 9

Interesting facts about Christmas

The first instrument Silent Night was played on was a guitar.

When electrical Christmas lights were first used, they were so expensive, that they were usually rented rather than sold.  An electrically lighted tree was a status symbol in the early 1900s.

Electrically lit trees did not become commonplace in the US until after WWII.  The Christmas lights on these trees burned so bright that they were almost as dangerous as the candles they were advertised to replace!    

The first Christmas pudding was more of a soup, and had raisins and wine in it.

The definition of a White Christmas in England is when one snowflake falls on the roof of the London Weather Center on Christmas. 

There is a Christmas, Arizona and a Christmas, Florida.  In both Arizona and Indiana, there is a town called Santa Claus.  And if you are feeling Christmasy, you may want to visit Noel, Missouri, USA.

In medieval times, 'Hot cockles' was a popular Christmas game until the Victorian era. In this game, other players gave a blow to the blindfolded player, who had to guess the name of the person who gave the blow.

In the 19th Century, the British post office used to deliver Christmas cards on Christmas morning!

Any letters addressed to the North Pole have to go there, because there really is such a place!  

~~Facts collected from around the Internet.~~

For more Christmas facts, check out these this website:

Interesting U.K. Facts About Christmas From Woodlands Junior School in Tonbridge

game:  Wonka Holiday Treats Game

Gospel reading:  Matthew 9:35-10:1, Matthew 5-8 

                                           

                                 

December 9

There may not be an entry for Saturday.  I am not sure.  It depends on what time I get back if I can do it or not.  I am taking my husband John to the local hospital.  It appears he may have had a reaction to a blood transfusion he had today (Friday).  Just a mild one but we don't want to take any chances.  So we are off to the hospital. Take care you all.  Krissy  

Note:  It is now three hours later and we are back home!  It turns out the allergic reaction John had was not from the blood transfusion he had but from something else.  So the doctor gave him benadryl and sent him home. 

I didn't want anyone who read this entry alarmed, and since we didn't have to stay at the hospital, I wanted to erase this entry.  But I can't.  When I attempted to do it, the entire journal lit up to be erased!  Eegads!  I almost erased this whole Christmas journal!  But I realized it before it happened!  So I can't erase a single entry by itself, so I guess this one will stay in here, LOL.  And now I will go do the real December 9 Christmas entry, because I am already awake and can't sleep!  

Love and God bless you all,  Krissy :)  

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

                              

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

                          

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

             

 

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**                                                           

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