Tag Archives: Christmas

Birth of Jesus Christ

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Birth of Jesus Christ

 Matthew 1:18a NIV
‘This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:’

    • Jesus was born in a stable, in Bethlehem, town of David.
    • Jesus’ parents were Mary (a virgin) and Joseph, and Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
    • Jesus’ parents were living in Nazareth at the time, but had to travel to Bethlehem for the census that was being taken.
    • Mary wrapped Jesus in cloth and placed him in a manger since there was no more space in the inn.
    • A heavenly host of angels appeared to shepherds and told them the good news of the birth, so they rushed off to find Jesus in the manger.
Baby Jesus Christ, doll, Boy, Wicker, Small, Basket , Manger, Clothe, Cute, Straw Shred, Ten Random Facts
  • On the 8th day, the boy was named Jesus, as foretold.
  • A king named King Herod tried to kill baby Jesus, since Jesus was considered as a ‘king’ and therefore a threat, so Jesus’ family fled to Egypt.
  • Some magi, or wise men, followed a bright star to the birth place of Jesus.
  • The magi gave Jesus three presents of frankincense, gold and myrrh.
  • Jesus was referred to as ‘King’, ‘Messiah’, ‘LORD’, ‘Saviour’ and ‘Christ’ on the occasion of his birth.
Bibliography:
Holy Bible, New International Version, Luke 2 1973, NIV edn, Biblica Inc, <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=NIV>

Holy Bible, New International Version, Matthew 1 1973, NIV edn, Biblica Inc, <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NIV>

Tinsel

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Tinsel

Pretty! Sparkly!

    • Tinsel is a long, sparkly string that is traditionally used to decorate a Christmas tree.
    • Tinsel comes from the French word ‘estincele, meaning sparkle.
    • Tinsel was first invented in the 1610s, in Germany.
    • Tinsel was originally used to decorate sculptures and statues.
    • Tinsel was first made from shredded silver, but it lost its sparkle quickly.
Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green, Tinsel, Stars, Thin, Fat, Colourful, Ten Random Facts.

 

  • Modern tinsel is made from metallic coated glossy plastic (PVC).
  • Before the use of PVC, aluminium and other shiny metals were used to make tinsel.
  • After the use of silver, lead foil was a popular material used in tinsel but was banned due to the risk of lead posioning.
  • Tinsel is typically used at Christmas time but some celebrations in India require tinsel as well.
  • Tinsel was first designed to bring out the shine of Christmas candles.
Bibliography:
Tinsel 22 December 2012, Wikipedia,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinsel>

Christmas Carol

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Christmas Carol

So, so many carols… Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Noel…

  • Christmas carols are also known as a noël.
  • Christmas carols have themes to do with Christmas or winter and are traditionally sung in the Christmas month of December.
  • The first Christmas carols were Christian hymns, originating from 4th century Rome.
  • Christmas carol singing in church on Christmas Eve was established in 1880 at the Truro Cathedral in Cornwall.
  • 500 Christmas carols have been discovered from the period of 1350 – 1550 AD.

Carols, Deck the Halls, Silent Night, Music Sheets, Candles, Book, A Golden Book, Ten Random Facts

  • In Australia and New Zealand, concerts, called Carols by Candlelight, are held by community groups that invite people to come and have fun, have time together and listen to and sing carols.
  • One of the oldest known Christmas carols from the middle ages still sung today is “Good King Wenceslas”.
  • Christmas carolling is the tradition of going door to door singing Christmas carols and bringing good cheer to the neighbourhood during the Christmas season.
  • Carolling was not originally associated with Christmas, nor going door to door, and Christmas carolling as we know it today is a relatively recent tradition starting in the 1800s.
  • Before public Christmas carolling was popular, people called ‘Waits’ would take money off people and carol on the streets.
Bibliography: Christmas Carol 22 December 2012, Wikipedia, <;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carol>;

Christmas Pudding

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Christmas Pudding

YUUM – PUUUDDING!

  • Christmas pudding originated in medieval England in the 1420s.
  • Christmas pudding is also known as plum pudding or plum duff.
  • A typical Christmas pudding contains sugar, treacle, suet, raisins and spices.
  • Christmas pudding traditions had a Roman Catholic influence, with puddings made with 13 ingredients, representing the 12 apostles plus Christ and was stirred from east to west to remember the magi.
  • Christmas pudding is traditionally cooked on a Sunday, 4-5 weeks before Christmas.

Christmas Pudding, Holly, Leaves, Fake, Round, Circular, Brown, Fruit Cake, Ten Random Facts

  • Christmas pudding was traditionally steamed in a cloth, although pudding basins are now often used.
  • Christmas pudding is often hooked on a hook to dry after steaming, until Christmas day.
  • Christmas puddings are traditionally decorated with holly or skimmia, and usually served hot with custard.
  • Even though the Christmas pudding  is known as a ‘plum pudding’, the pudding has no plums, instead it has raisins, which in old Victorian times were called plums.
  • Coins (and sometimes other trinkets) were commonly cooked in the pudding mix, and whoever was lucky enough to have a coin in their slice of pudding got to keep the coin.
Bibliography:
Christmas Pudding 19 November 2012 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pudding>

Holly

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Holly

Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

  • Holly is generally a slow growing, evergreen or deciduous tree, shrub or climber.
  • Holly have fruit called berries or drupe, and are slightly poisonous to humans, but are commonly eaten by birds and other wildlife.
  • The colour of the leaves of holly are green, and the fruit are red; brown or black, and more uncommonly, yellow or green.
  • ‘Illex’, the proper name for holly, means holm or evergreen oak.
  • Holly is mainly found in North and South America and South East Asia.

Holly, Illex, Fake, Green Leaves, Red Berries, Single, Ten Random Factsf

  • At least two species of holly have become extinct quite recently, and many are struggling to survive.
  • Some species of holly are used in tea due to their caffeine content, and traditionally the wood of some species was used to make special Scottish bagpipes.
  • Holly has been a symbol of Christianity since medieval times, representing the blood and thorns of Jesus Christ.
  • Druids wore holly on their heads because they believed it had magical powers.
  • There are a lot of superstitions, beliefs and symbolism traditionally associated with holly and as a result, it has become a common, Christmas decoration.  It has been used in celebrations for centuries.
Bibliography:
Holly 19 December 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly>

Christmas Lights

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Christmas Lights

Lights are pretty… at Christmas.

  • Christmas lights are mainly used around Christmas time and usually come in a ‘string’ of 50 or 100, or other quantities.
  • Christmas lights originally were candles on a tree but in the late 1800s, electric Christmas lights were invented.
  • Christmas lights are also known as fairy, twinkle, holiday, mini or Italy lights.
  • In December 1882, Edward H Johnson, vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company at the time, was the first known person to decorate a Christmas tree with electric Christmas lights, which he had custom made for the purpose.
  • Christmas lights replaced most Christmas candles in the 1930s.  Prior to that, they were too expensive.

Christmas Lights, Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, wire, Christmas Tree, Spikey Star, Ten Random Facts

  • Christmas lights were originally dull and boring looking but soon looked exciting and pretty.  Modern technology has seen the invention of amazing sets of lights.
  • Many people put up Christmas lights on their house and in there backyard and many families come to see them. This tradition in America is called  ‘Tacky Light Tour’.
  • Although Christmas lights were made for Christmas, these types of lights have been used for many occasions, most notably Halloween.
  • The region of Shijiao, China recycles over 9 million kilograms (20 million pounds) of discarded Christmas lights every year.  They recycle every part of Christmas lights, to make an assortment of things, including the soles of slippers.
  • The tradition of Christmas lights started in North America.
Bibliography:
Christmas Lights 17 December 2012, Wikipedia,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_lights>
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