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Date: Dec. 13, 2006
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Did You Know The Following Legends?
Why we decorate our Christmas trees with tinsel?
This is explained by the charming legend of the Christmas spider. A poor widow was determined to give her family a good Christmas. She spent hours decorating a tree before falling into bed exhausted. During the night, spiders scurried all over the tree, leaving dusty grey webs. Jesus knew the mother would be brokenhearted so, as a reward for her unselfish behaviour, turned the webs into silver threads.
Why we have Yule logs?
In Scandinavian pagan festivals, a log, said to have magical powers, was part of a winter solstice ceremony where revelers ushered in the power of the sun. With time, the tradition spread and evolved. The log had to be a gift, or come from a tree grown on your own land. The wood was set alight on Christmas Eve using a scrap of the previous year’s log and was kept smouldering for days. The remains were said to protect against fire and lightning.
Why we put coins in the Christmas pudding…and set it on fire?
Traditionally everyone in the family stirs the pudding mix and makes a wish. Some say this should be done from east to west to copy the Three Kings’ approach route and with a wooden spoon to represent the manger. Coins are added to the pudding and whoever finds one gets wealth, health and happiness. This may be a throwback to the tradition of Twelfth Cake, which was eaten on Twelfth Night (6th January) and contained a dried bean. Whoever found the bean was ‘King’ for the day.
‘Firing’ the pudding has connections with the winter solstice, when bonfires were lit and prayers said to welcome back the sun. But the flame is also said to represent Christ’s passion, and a garnish of holly stands for his crown of thorns.
Why is Santa’s sleigh pulled by reindeer…and why does he come down the chimney?
In America in 1822 Dr. Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem for his children. "A Visit From St. Nicholas’ told the story of a cheery, chubby Santa who traveled through the skies on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and came into the house down the chimney. His poem was published in a newspaper in 1823 and later reprinted elsewhere. It grew in popularity, and the magic of the sleigh and eight flying reindeer took hold. But there may be more ancient links. It’s said that the shamans, spiritual leaders of reindeer herders, went into trances (aided by magic mushrooms) and ‘flew’. In flight they were said to enter and exit huts through smoke holes.
Why we decorate our homes with poinsettias at Christmas?
This comes from a Mexican legend. A peasant girl desperately wanted to take a gift to the village church in honour of baby Jesus. But having no money she set off for the Christmas Eve Service empty-handed. On the way she met an angel, who told her to pick some weeds. In shame she presented her straggly bouquet at the altar, but a miracle happened right before her eyes as the green leaves changed into bright red ‘flowers’.
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Date: Dec. 3, 2006
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The Legend of the Dogwood Tree.
A Tale from the Southern United States.
Long ago, when Jesus lived on Earth, the dogwood was a giant among trees,
towering proudly above the pine and the oak. Its broad, arching branches
gave shelter and shade to countless birds and animals.
One day men came into the forest. They needed wood for the beams of
the cross on which Jesus would die. Because of its great size and strength,
they chose the dogwood.
The dogwood tree was filled with grief when it heard what was to be
done with its wood. "Lord," it cried, "let me wither and fall. I cannot
bear to live, knowing I am the cause of your pain."
Then the voice of Jesus came, comforting the sorrowing tree.
"Because you feel pity for Me," Jesus said, "never again will you be used
for such a terrible purpose. You will become a small, slender sapling.
Your blossoms will be white, in the shape of a cross. The outer edge of
each petal will be torn and stained with rusty red, as if pierced by a nail.
In the center will be a crown of thorns. All who see you will remember Me."
Now, each spring, the little dogwood brightens gardens and forests
with its clouds of white blossoms, bringing its message of hope and love.
By the way, do you know why we decorate our Christmas trees with tinsel?
This is explained by the legend of the Christmas spider. A poor widow was
determined to give her family a good Christmas. She spent hours decorating
a tree before falling into bed exhausted. During the night spiders scurried
all over the tree, leaving dusty grey webs. Jesus knew the mother would be
brokenhearted so, as a reward for her unselfish behaviour, turned the webs
into silver threads.
Whilst on this sort of subject, do you know what legally - in Britain anyway
- counts as a 'white' Christmas? Only one snowflake needs to land on the
roof of the London U.K. Weather Centre for the day to be recorded as a
'white' Christmas in the capital. Since 1900 snow or sleet has fallen on
Christmas Day ten times in London - This was as at 2003. The 'one
snowflake' rule only came into use in the early 1970's when bookmakers
William Hill asked the Met Office for help in defining a white Christmas as
a reliable measure was needed for betting on a 25th December snowfall.
Observations began in London and soon spread to other U.K. weather centres.
Now readings are taken at a select few stations each year.
Submitted by Audrey Newell
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Date: Dec. 3, 2006
Tags: None
"Yule" is a word from one of the most ancient tongues. It is related to
words like yell and yodel. It means to call out in song.
But the first beings had never heard a song. So they sought the Moon's
advice. "How shall we Yule?" they asked. "How shall we sing a song?"
"Take the best of what you have, of what you are, take what you love
and cherish most. Take your joys, dreams, and fondest hopes, and weave them
all together in a sound." And so they did.
They climbed the tallest trees, hills, and mountains. They stood in
all the places that would bring them closest to the Sun. They shut their
eyes and thought the best of thoughts and feelings, and dreamt the first
dreams.
As they did, their voices rang and made a bridge of song across the
sky to reach the distant Sun. Sun heard and turned, smiled, and wrapped
himself in all of His light and warmth and sped to where the Yuleing voices
called. As He drew near, the sleeping Earth did stir and dreamt a dream of
spring. The wheel of life made its first round. Hope and love prevailed.
Ever since, that time of year has been called "Yule" in honor of the first
song.
Submitted by Audrey Newell
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