| Related sites for http://www.allthingschristmas.com/traditions.html |
| I&R__Citizens\'_Initiative_and_Referendum Proposals and campaign resources for direct democracy such as citizens' initiative, referendum, and recall in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. | | Asian_Women_in_Business Calendar of events, directory of business owners and organizations, membership, articles, rules, and a business reference library. | | Conversation_Between_D\'Alembert_and_Diderot Diderot's dialogue of 1769, promoting a materialist explanation of consciousness. | | Conservative_Forum_for_Unitarian_Universalists_(CFUU) Threaded discussion board for Unitarian Universalists who are politically libertarian or U.S. conservative. | | Ban,_E_G_ Dedicated to the study of deterministic history. It deals mainly with basic historical elements: civilizations, cultures, agriculture and husbandry. | | Vatsa,_Suchi_-_Guiding_Star Photographs of herself and a variety of links. | | Bob_Dylan__Tangled_Up_in_Jews A web page devoted to studying and collecting trivia relating to the Jewish religious/cultural odyssey of Shabtai Zisel ben Avraham v'Rachel Riva, a.k.a Bob Dylan. | | Liedtke,_Meyers,_Chatterton,_Waddoups,_Jenkins_and_Tobinski_Families Ancestry as compiled by Dorla and Heinz Peter Liedtke. | | Risen_Jesus Provides evidence with citations for the reliability of the Bible's claims that Jesus was resurrected, with responses to possible criticisms. | | Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America_stewardship_resources includes current and relevant stewardship resources and ideas. Information on ELCA stewardship activities and staff. | | Sierra_Club__Stopping_Sprawl The Challenge to the Sprawl Campaign works to fight poorly planned runaway development and promotes smart growth communities. | | Portraits_of_Spirit Six pages containing a description of psychic art and mediumship development. There are early drawings, a comparison drawing and photograph, a gallery and links to other similar websites. | | The_Records_of_\"I\"_Company_-_A_Brief_History_of_the_East_Surrey_Volunteers_Service_in_the_South_African_War The war diary of Private A.G. Garrish, a participant in the war. | | Ostara,_aka_the_Vernal_Equinox Customs, information and ideas for this Sabbat are included on this page. | | Abuse_in_the_Catholic_Church Hub for articles and documents about the sexual abuse of children by priests and its effect on the Catholic Church. From the Boston Globe. | | The_Dark_Tapestry Journal, essays and galleries of friends and cemeteries. | | Topix__Islam News about Islam, collected from various sources on the web. [RSS] | | Warriors_for_Christ Discipleship and evangelism training for Native Americans. Prayer board, newsletters, and Indian resources. | | Horse_Slaughter Political action committee which promotes the protection of US horses against slaughter for human consumption abroad. Member list, alerts on relevant legislation, and information on how to join. | | The_Gospel_Coalition Equipping the next generation for gospel-faithful ministry and promote church reform and culture transformation. Led by Tim Keller and Don Carson. |
|
Christmas traditions : the origins of Xmas and facts    Social events » All Things Christmas » Christmas Traditions » Carols » Recipes » Gifts » Stories » Christmas for kids » Party » Santa Claus Decorations & fun » Christmas Games » Trees » Decorations » Lights » Downloads » Cards » Crafts » Calendar Miscellaneous » Videos » Blog » Forum » New Year » Advertising » Contact Other » Christmas music » Christmas stories » Christmas quotes » Christmas shopping » Christmas fun » Dress a snowman Mistletoe  Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace. Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year. Holly, Ivy and Greenery  In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away. Greenery was also brought indoors to freshen the air and brighten the mood during the long, dreary winter. Legend also has it that holly sprang from the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed. Poinsettias  A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant to America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas celebrations. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant. The Candy cane .jpg) It was not long after Europeans began using Christmas trees that special decorations were used to adorn them. Food items, such as candies and cookies, were used predominately and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation. Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe. According to the National Confectioner's Association, in 1847 German immigrant August Imgard used the candy cane to decorate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. More than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes as treats for family, friends and local shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a machine in the 1950s that automated the production of candy canes, thus eliminating the usual laborious process of creating the treats and the popularity of the candy cane grew. More recent explanations of the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for these notions does not exist, they have become increasingly common and at times are even represented as fact. Regardless, the candy cane remains a favorite holiday treat and decoration. Christmas cards  A form of Christmas card began in England first when young boys practiced their writing skills by creating Christmas greetings for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who is credited with creating the first real Christmas card. The first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found himself too busy in the Christmas season of 1843 to compose individual Christmas greetings for his friends. He commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for the illustration. The card featured three panels, with the center panel depicting a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the card was inscribed with the message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." Read more about Christmas Cards Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer  The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company, department store operators, had been purchasing and distributing children's coloring books as Christmas gifts for their customers for several years. In 1939, Montgomery Ward tapped one of their own employees to create a book for them, thus saving money. 34-year old copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1939, and 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. Despite the wartime paper shortage, over 6 million copies had been distributed by 1946. May drew in part on the story "The Ugly Duckling" and in part from his own experiences as an often taunted, small, frail youth to create the story of the misfit reindeer. Though Rollo and Reginald were considered, May settled on Rudolph as his reindeer's name. Writing in verse as a series of rhyming couplets, May tested the story as he went along on his 4-year old daughter Barbara, who loved the story Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays deeply in debt due to medical bills. However, he was able to persuade Sewell Avery, Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to turn the copyright over to him in January 1947, thus ensuring May's financial security. May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947 and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story was shown in theaters. When May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenomenon was born. Turned down by many musical artists afraid to contend with the legend of Santa Claus, the song was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The song sold two million copies that year, going on to become one of the best-selling songs of all time, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". The 1964 television special about Rudolph, narrated by Burl Ives, remains a holiday favorite to this day and Rudolph himself has become a much-loved Christmas icon. Hanukkah  Commencing on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrians. In 168 BC, members of the Jewish family Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifying the Jewish faith. Part of this strategem included changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple complete with idolatry. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews won victory over the Syrians in 165 BC and reclaimed their temple. After cleansing the temple and preparing for its rededication, it was found there was not enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an oil lamp present in Jewish houses of worship which represents eternal light. Once lit, the lamp should never be extinguished. A search of the temple produced a small vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day. Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for eight days until a new supply of oil was brought. In remembrance of this miracle, one candle of the Menorah - an eight branched candelabra - is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means dedication, is a Hebrew word when translated is commonly spelled Hanukah, Chanukah, and Hannukah due to different translations and customs. The tradition of receiving gifts on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new and due in part to the celebration's proximity to the Christmas season. Kwanzaa  Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at California State University in Long Beach, California, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a holiday celebrated by millions of African-Americans around the world, encouraging them to remember their African heritage and consider their current place in America today. Kwanzaa is celebrated fom December 26 to January 1 and involves seven principles called Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). In the Kwanzaa ritual, seven candles called Mishumaa Saba are placed in a Kinara, or candleholder, which is then set upon the Mikeka, a mat usually made of straw. Three green candles are placed on the left, three red candles on the right and a black candle in the center, each candle representing one of the seven principles of the celebration. One candle is lit each day of the Kwanzaa celebration, beginning from left to right The colors of Kwanzaa ~ black, red and green ~ also have a special significance. Black symbolizes the faces of the African people, Red symbolizes the blood they have shed, and Green represents hope and the color of the motherland. The name itself - Kwanzaa - is a Swahili word meaning "fruits of the harvest." ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Members of the All Things Christmas List at eGroups share their favorite Family Traditions for the Holiday season. Related: Catch Santa Claus Christmas countdown calendar Christmas Eve Christmas family Christmas Traditions Christmas mornings Christmas cards Christmas 2008 Christmas poems Letter to Santa Claus Merry Christmas Santa Claus Parade Other countries: Christmas Argentina Christmas Asia Christmas Canada Christmas Chile Christmas Europe Christmas Guatemala Christmas Hawaii Christmas Japan Christmas Puerto Rico Christmas South America Christmas Ukraine Christmas USA Christmas Phillipines Christmas Spain  Bookmark site addthis_url = location.href; addthis_title = document.title; addthis_pub = 'julemanden'; Mailing list Join our popular mailing list and receive special Xmas offers and info for christmas freaks. No spam! Your email address: function validate(){var reg = /^([A-Za-z0-9_\-\.])+\@([A-Za-z0-9_\-\.])+\.([A-Za-z]{2,4})$/; var address = document.getElementById('mailListAdr').value; if(reg.test(address) == false) { alert('Invalid Email Address'); return false; } } function subscribeNow(){ if(validate()!=false){ var url='http://www.allthingschristmas.com/sender/maillist.php?mailadr='+document.getElementById('mailListAdr').value+'&mailfunction=add'; location.href=url; } } function unsubscribeNow(){ if(validate()!=false){ var url='http://www.allthingschristmas.com/sender/maillist.php?mailadr='+document.getElementById('mailListAdr').value+'&mailfunction=remove'; location.href=url; } }  _uacct = "UA-2079071-1";urchinTracker(); |
|
