CHRISTMAS VILLAGES

 

In North America there is a long standing tradition of placing little villages of little houses at the foot of the Christmas trees.

The origins of the practice are unclear although the general consensus appears to be that Christmas villages began as over-elaborate additions to a tradition Nativity scene.
This practice was probably taken to North America by the Moravians who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1741, and established the town of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.
The Moravian tradition involves adding to the Nativity dozens, sometimes more, of handmade figures, houses, waterfalls, bridges, churches creating a winter wonderland.
Then in the early 20th century Sets of small buildings began to be commercially produced.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 31

 

Twas the night before Christmas

And all thru the Home

All the children were sleeping

Except little Jerome

Who pretended to sleep

So, he would be able to see

Santa arrive, but he fell asleep anyway

So, it was not to be

TRIVIAL TITBIT # 07

Holly, mistletoe, the Yule log and the wassail bowl are all relics of pre-Christian times.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ANGELS IN THE SNOW (2015)

 

The Montgomery family is not a happy one, parents Charles (Chris Potter) and Judith (Kristy Swanson), are drifting apart because he is a workaholic and is always concerned that the company is close to folding, especially if he doesn't keep an eye on matters, while Judith feels like he treats their entire family as second best to the business.

While their three children, fifteen-year-old Alexander (Nick Purcha), fourteen-year-old Jennifer (Lizzie Boys), and 8-year old Emily (Jaeda Lily Miller) are all materialistic and self-absorbed.

They are spending Christmas at a new, state-of-the-art mountain cabin built by Charles' development company, in an isolated spot in upstate New York and they make it to the cabin just before a major snowstorm hits the area.

During the storm there is a surprise knock on their door, and when they open it they find the Tucker family shivering on the doorstep, parents Joe and Amy (Colin Lawrence and Catherine Lough Haggquist), and their two children, fifteen year old Robbie (Kolton Stewart) and fourteen year old Lucie (Alexandra Siouras) who were in need of shelter after they ran off the road in their car in the blizzard.

The Montgomery’s welcomed them in and let them share their Christmas and on the face of it that simple act of charity would save the Tuckers lives, but as it turns out they were saving their own.

FESTIVE FACT # 19

 

The first commercial Christmas card caused something of a controversy when they first appeared in 1846.

The cards featured a drawing depicting a group of family members happily toasting each other with glasses of wine.

This was considered to be a shockingly decadent portrait and was immediately condemned by temperance advocates.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 30

 

Twas the night before Christmas

And all thru the Mansion

Not a creature was stirring

Amidst all the family tension

As they were all in their rooms

Doing self-medication

CHRISTINGLE

 

Christingle has its origins in Eastern Europe and The Christingle Service is a Service of candle lights where very many years ago people gathered in the street, sang carols and collected gifts to help the less fortunate in the community.

It is a beautiful candlelight service of hymns, carols, recitations and bible readings, but Christingle goes beyond a candlelight service and it tells a story.

A story is told with the symbolic use of the following items:
An orange representing the world.
A red ribbon tied around the orange to symbolize the blood of Jesus shed for
his people.
Toothpicks decorated with dried fruits and sweets are placed at the
four corners of the orange representing all the people of the world.
A lighted candle in the centre of the orange represents the light of
Christ to the world.