The Baubles we use to decorate our Christmas trees are representative of the Apples found on the Tree of Life in Paradise.
This
is the popular belief even though the Bible doesn’t actually state that the
tree of life was an apple tree.
To
most people modern Baubles are not replicas of the fruit but are just colorful
ornaments which reflect the light of candles and fairy lights and contribute to
the festive spirit.
Myriad snowflakes fall
Flakes, infinite in number
Crystals
of purest white
Settle
while we slumber
Early
the next morning
In
the gloomy light
A
pure white blanket
Was
greeted with delight
The
kids were excited but
The
presents took their focus
For
their parents it was magical
To
have a White Christmas
As
so many Christmas innovations artificial trees originated in Germany towards
the end of the 1800’s.
The
trees were formed from Metal wire and covered with feathers Goose, Turkey, Ostrich
or Swan and the feathers would be died green to imitate pine needles.
Then
In the 1930's, the Addis Brush Company in America created the first
artificial-brush trees.
They
used the same machinery as that used to make their toilet brushes.
It
was in 1950 that The Addis 'Silver Pine' tree was patented.
The
tree was designed to have a revolving light source under it which would shine
through colored gels casting different shades of light as it revolved beneath
the tree.
Not
a million miles away from the fiber optic trees we have today.
After being told by her boss that the company needs to attract more clients, Elizabeth (Melissa Sagemiller), a skilled executive, is also told she is to get unwanted help in the form of Robert (Brad Rowe), to grow the business.
Through
the help of one of Santa’s helpers,
Calvin the Elf (Martin Klebba), she is blessed with an extraordinary gift when she obtains a piece of jewelry that allows
her to hear
everyone’s unspoken thoughts.
It was intended to make her become more self-aware in order to find personal and
professional fulfilment, but she uses it as a tool to gain new clients and get
one up on Robert.
However, having first used her new-found power to get
ahead at work, she soon learns to become a better person, and turns an office
rivalry into romance while learning the true meaning of Christmas.
Wassail, which was much liked by the English, accompanied hearty Christmas meals.
The
word 'wassail' dates back to the pre-Christian times and practices and is
derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael which meant "be thou
well" or "good health.
Originally,
wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, nuts,
eggs, and spices and it was served for the purpose of enhancing the general
merriment of the season.
A
toast was traditionally offered with a drink at regular intervals and normally
with little or no reason.
It
was important that after well-wishers had shared in the spirit of the toast and
taken a sip that they top up the bowl.
The
wassail bowl had to remain full of Christmas Eve to Twelfth Night
And
much care was taken to ensure that it did in order to ensure the continuity of
good cheer throughout this festive season.
The
wassail bowl would be carried from room to room often accompanied by the
singing of festive songs which is perhaps why the early practice of carol
singing was referred to as ‘wassailing’.
Part
of the Wassailing ritual was more concerned in seeing nature renew itself in
the spring and the belief in its ability to magically bestow fertility on one
and all.
He stood in the cold crisp night
Beneath
the moon and the stars
And
looked at the majestic vista
Imagining
such a perfect night sky
Two
thousand years before
When love was taken from him
He
was left bereft, and his heart stopped
And
his world was transformed
To
a place of ice and snow
Where
his cold heart,
Once
overflowing with love,
Froze
solid in his chest.
So,
he came to like the winter
With
its long cold nights
And
short dismal days
He
found comfort in the season
And
its bitter unfriendly ways
Only
Christmas spoiled it for him,
Disrupting
his misery,
With
its joyous music,
Gaily
decorated shops,
And
of course, its joviality
But
then one day out of the blue
As
he tried to avoid the jollity
It
happened, his heart began to thaw
All
because of an Elf
Or
to be more precise
A
girl in the green tights, pointy shoes,
Brightly
coloured tunic and a cute hat
All
it took was one smile
For
the connection to be made
And
she had him body and soul
Although
he was unaware
It
was a mutual attraction
Because
she didn’t show her hand
And
played hard to get
She
wanted him, but she made him work
To
win her, to pursue her
To
prove that he was worthy
So,
it wasn’t until Christmas Eve
That
the Elf yielded to the Grinch
And
they kissed by the light of the moon
Before
attending midnight mass
