1. Poinsettia = a legend in Mexico tells of a small boy who had nothing to offer the Christ Child on his birthday. As he prayed at the altar of a church, his prayers were answered and the "Flower of the Holy Night" or poinsettia sprang up before him. The bright red petals of the poinsettia are actually leaves. It originates in Mexico It was brought to the United States in the 1800s by a man named Dr. Poinsett and was named after him.
2. Plum Puddings = were made in the 1600s and were not even made of plums. The pudding was a "stiff" porridge to which was added lumps of meat, dried fruits, butter, sugar, eggs, spices, rum and brandy. It was prepared weeks before Christmas.
3. Santa Claus = binger of gifts. The Dutch were the first to speak of a merry old man in red and white clothes, with eight flying reindeer. He lived near the North Pole, filled stockings with presents, and came down the chimney. They called him Sinte Klass.
St. Nicholas was a bishop who gave money to the needy. In many countries he is the one who brings gifts. He is honored on Dec.6th.
Father Christmas is known as an old man with a beard, dressed in a fur costume. Children in Finland wait for him to arrive on Christmas Eve.
In France Pere Noel is a kindly old man who travels through the countryside on Christmas Eve and leaves gifts in "sabots" or wooden shoes.
The Scandinavians have a Christmas elf dressed in a red suit and long white beard. He is called Julenisse. He brings gifts for the children.
4. The Wise Men or Magi = G.M.B. are the initials of the three Wise Men named Gaspar, Melchor, and Balthazar. It is a custom in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Sweden for three boys to visit homes on the Epiphany. The initials G.M.B. are written over the doors of the homes and three crosses are drawn, also. This will bring good fortune in the new year to the people who live there.
In the New Testament St.Matthew mentions the Three Wise Men or Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem. The oldest, Mechor (King of Arabia) had a long gray beard. He gave gold as a gift for Christ. Balthazar (King of Ethiopia) was also bearded. He brought the gift of frankincense. Gaspar (King of Tarsus) who was the youngest brought the gift of myrrh. It is said that after the Magi returned home they gave their belongings to the poor and went out to spread the Good News. They died as martyrs.
5. Yule Log = in early days fire was a symbol of the home, safety and warmth. The English took on the custom of burning the yule log on Christmas Eve. It was considered good luck to sit on it before it was burned and it was bad luck if the fire went out quickly. After the holidays had ended (twelve days of Christmas) a piece of the log was saved to rekindle the next year's log.
Chidren should be educated on this so they will know the essence of the christmas symbols they ususally see around the house during yuletide season.
0 shared thoughts:
Post a Comment