joystravel's blog: "Christmas"

Finance Cost of 'Twelve Days of Christmas' items up in '08 © AP 2008-12-01 06:18:59 - Prices of items in the Christmas carol «The Twelve Days of Christmas,» according to PNC Wealth Management Partridge, $20 (last year: $15 Pear Tree, $200 (last year: $150 Two Turtle Doves, $55 (last year: $40 Three French Hens, $30 (last year: $45 Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 (last year: same Five Gold Rings, $350 (last year: $395 Six Geese a-Laying, $240 (last year: $360 Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600 (last year: $4,200 Eight Maids a-Milking, $52 (last year: $47 Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 (last year: same 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414 (last year: $4,285 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285 (last year: $2,213 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475 (last year: $2,398

The Meaning Of The Candy Cane CANDYCANE Candy Cane is yet another important symbol of christmas traditions. The white color of the candy cane symbolizes the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the candy symbolizes the solid rock, the foundation of churches and the firmness of the promises made by God. The candies are made in a "J" shape to represent the name of Jesus and the shape of the staff of the "Good Shepherd". And the three red stripes on the candy represents the Trinity and the blood shed by Christ to let us have the promise of the eternal life. The most important legend that is associated with christmas is this that during the 18th century, any public display of christianity was forbidden. Neither bible, nor crosses were allowed and even the children were opressed. An old man, candy maker by profession was very depressed with this scenario. He loved the Lord with all of his heart and couldn't stand to not share that love with the world. He was specially depressed during the christmas times, when the children were not allowed to practise the christmas traditions. He prayed to God, so that he finds a way out to make Christmas gifts for the children which would teach them the story of Christ. The answer he got was the "candy cane". The candy cane was in the shape of a shepherd"s staff to show them Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock. A sheep follows his own shepherd, knows his voice, and trusts him and knows that he is totally safe with him. The sheep will follow no other shepherd but their own. This is how we are to be with Jesus if we truly follow Him. Upside down the candy cane was a "J", the first letter of Jesus' name. Upside down the candy cane was a "J", the first letter of Jesus' name. It was made of hard candy to remind us that Christ is the rock of our salvation. The wide red stripes on the candy cane were to represent the blood He shed on the cross for each one of us so that we can have eternal life through Him. He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed blood - the only thing that can wash away our sin. The white stripes on a candy cane represented the virgin birth, sinless life and purity of our Lord. He is the only human being who ever lived on this earth who never committed a single sin. Even though He was tempted just as we are, He never sinned. The three narrow red stripes on candy canes symbolized that by His stripes, or wounds, we are healed and the Trinity - the Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. Before the crucifixion Jesus was beaten; the crown of thorns was placed on His head; His back was raw from the whip. We are healed by those wounds. He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are healed. The flavoring in the candy cane was peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old Testament times for purification and sacrifice just as Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. The old candy maker told them that when we break our candy cane it reminds us that Jesus' body was broken for us. When we have communion it is a reminder of what He did for us. If we share our candy cane and give some to someone else in love because we want to, it represents that same love of Jesus because He is to be shared with one another in love. God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. He loved us so much He wants us to spend eternal life with Him... which we can do if we accept Jesus in our hearts as Savior and Lord.

The Legend Of The Chrismas Tree Perhaps one of the most beloved symbols of Christmas is the Christmas Tree. From the smallest tree propped on a box in a city flat, to the giant decorated Sequoia over 250 feet tall in a National Park, The Christmas tree symbolizes a tradition of joy and life. A tradition that embodies, for most families, the spirit of the season of Christmas tide. The tradition of the Christmas tree actually began long before Christmas itself was observed. In very early times, the green boughs of the evergreens provided hope in the harshness of the winter landscape. People gathered around these to be reassured thst beneath the dead twigs, barren branches and blanket of snow was a living and warm Mother Earth. As time moved on, branches and then whole trees were brought indoors to be a more visible and constant reminder of the life that would return in the Spring. Soon flowers and other meaningful 'ornaments' were added further glorifying the miracle of life. By the 17th century the art of decorating a tree had been developed to it's highest form by the people of Germany. They called their tree Christbawn- The Christ Tree. They decorated the tree with various confections in beautiful shapes delighting eyes and stomach with a feast of Christmas decorations. As time progressed, ornaments of paper, tin and glass were added and became popular. The Germans created minature works of art called Dresden ornaments drawing upon every skill available to their craft. These perfect replicas of animals, coaches, houshold items and such are still the most exquisite examples of the ornament makers' art. The popularization of the glass ball ornament is due in large measure to the people of the German town of Lauscha. The glass blowers of some 300 years became the glass ornament capital of the world and remained such until the second World War. The tree got it's first lighting in the form of small candles. Lit for but a few carefully watched moments on a freshly cut tree, they were the highlight of the tree's decoration. This "tree lighting" was shimmering, glowing, and wonderfully alive with bright orange flames darting around and through branches of lacy green. With the advent of the electric bulb, it was a short time before custom light sets were made for the very wealthy. It was not until the early 1900's that such tree lights were available to the common man. Even then, a set of 25 lights sold for twelve dollars, a sum equal to the weekly wages of most working households. Today of course, there are color wheels and twinkle lights, tinsel and blinkers, spinning tree tops and musical stands. Yet the Christmas Tree still services in its own glory. It still matters little what is put on the Christmas Tree but that love is put into it. The Christmas Tree is a symbol of life and love that fills the Christmas season. It is a step back in time in kinship with people who needed to be reminded of the freshness and beauty of life. Think of this as you decorate your tree and I guarantee you'll notice a glow all your own. "MERRY CHRISTMAS"!

My Grown Up Christmas List Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee I wrote to you with childhood fantasies Well I'm all grown up now And still need help somehow I'm not a child but my heart still can dream So here's my life long wish My grown up Christmas list Not for myself but for a world in need No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal a heart And everyone would have a friend And right would always win And love would never end This is my grown up Christmas list As children we believed The grandest site to see Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree But heaven only knows That packages and bows Can never heal a hurting human soul What is this illusion called? The innocence of youth Maybe only in our blind beliefs We can really find the truth No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal a heart And everyone would have a friend And right would always win And love would never end This is my grown up Christmas list This is my only life long wish

The ABC's of Christmas A. Advent, anticipation, animals, assembling, angels, aromas B. bells, baking, Baby, bows, believing C. Carolers, chimney, cards, coal D. Dinner, donkey, drums, dolly, donation, desert, delight E. elves, eggnog, eager F. family, friends, fireplace, Frosty G. gifts, green, guests, games, Grinch H. hugs, ho ho ho, holy I. icicles, iced cookies, ivy J. joy, Jesus, jingle, jolly K. keepsakes, kerchief, kids, kin-folk, kissing, Kris Kringle L. lights, letter to Santa, lists M. mistletoe, mice, manger, merry, memories, Mrs. Santa N. Noel, afternoon naps, naughty, nice O. Ornaments, opening P. presents, popcorn, parties, pictures, phone calls, patience Q. quilts, quiet time R. reindeer, red, ribbons, relatives, reflection, Rudolph S. Santa, sleigh, shopping, snowman, stories, snow, shepherds, stable, star, sharing, secrets, stockings T. tree, tinsel, toys, traveling, traditions U. unity, unruly, utopia V. vacation, velvet, visitors W. wreath, wrapping paper, wise men, waiting X. (e)xcellant!, xlophone Y. yarn, yams, yule, yule log, yule-tide Z. zooming, zealous Copyright © 1999, 2000 Creative Scrapbooking. All rights reserved.

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas-Style ©By Sharon Jaynes If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - It profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure. Let's Pray Dear Heavenly Father: Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that starry night in Bethlehem. Like the Shepherds, I am still amazed at Your great love. May I not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus' birthday with joy! In Jesus' Name, Amen

The Origin of The Twelve Days of Christmas Someone emailed this to me, I thought it was interesting, so I'd like to share. Not sure how factual it is, but it seems to make sense to me. If it's wrong please let me know. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. Now you know how that strange Christmas Carol came to be.

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came' written by Unknown Author Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter. I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound. While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There's only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

The True Meaning Of CHRISTmas True Meaning of Christmas Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . . "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven." He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise." He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness." Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection." He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December." He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him. Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return. Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD." until HE returns

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Amen to This! *Twas the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,* *Not a Christian was praying* *Nor taking a stand.* *See the PC Police had taken away,* *The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.* *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* * December 25th is just a "Holiday ".* *Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* *Something was changing, something quite odd! * *Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* *In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.* *As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* *At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.* *At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*< BR>*Yo u won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.* *Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.* *Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!* *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* *The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* *The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* *So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"* *Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* *Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!* PLEASE REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF THE SEASON!