ANGEL

There were two angel friends. One used sunset pink robes, while the other used to adorn herself with sky blue robes. They were known for singing sweet duets about the glory of God, and playing on pure silver trumpets. They often used to lead the orchestra for angels because of their musical abilities. Once, their orchestra leader Temira, gave them and other members of the angelic orchestra exciting news. God had decided to send His Son to live among His people. They had to prepare a musical jubilee in one of the most important events in the history of the world. It just had to be the best.  All angels with good voices had to sing, and all instruments were to be played for the event.

Temira asked his orchestra whether they knew the importance of the assignment. Trumpeting angel in pink said that she understood that the Lord wanted them to appear to the shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem.  These Shepherds had never seen an angel in their lives and might get afraid. The trumpeting angel in blue completed the answer by adding that the angels could replace the fear of the shepherds with joy and love for the Christ Child.  Then, they could announce the arrival of the Savior. Temira smiled and nodded contentedly. All orchestra members felt honored for the opportunity, and practiced for perfection in their roles.

On the day, Christ was born in the stable at Bethlehem.  As planned, the Christmas angels first appeared to the shepherds, and the trumpeting angel friends played the first few notes of the glorious concert in the dark night sky. Shepherds looked up to the sky and were shocked, surprised and awed.  Soon they were filled with amazement and wonder, and their hearts brimmed with humility and thankfulness to God for His glory. The angels then gave the shepherds the good tidings of great joy and were joined by many other angels who sang and praised God, filling the skies with the angelic words – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men”.

 

BALL

A little street boy in Bethlehem

had no gift for the newborn king,

so he juggled for the baby

and made him laugh.

That is why we hang balls

on the Christmas tree –

to remember the laughter of God.

 

BELL

The shepherds gathered quite a throng in Bethlehem as they journeyed to meet the newborn king. A little blind boy sat along the side of the town’s road and, hearing rumors of the angel’s announcement, he begged the travelers to lead him to the Christ child. No one would take the time. After the crowd passed and the streets grew silent, the boy heard the faint tinkling of a cow’s bell in the distance. He thought to himself, “Perhaps that cow is in the very stable where Christ lies,” and followed the bell to the stable. There, the cow led the boy to the infant Jesus. According to early legend, bells rang throughout the world announcing the birth of Christ. The ringing of bells during the joyous holiday season still adds delightful accompaniment to favorite carols, and is a significant part of the Christmas celebration. High in their towers, suspended between heaven and earth, church bells have called the faithful to worship for centuries.

 

CANDLE

Throughout medieval Europe a very large candle, called the Christmas candle, was burned until the twelfth night in remembrance of the arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. In Victorian times candles represented good will for those less fortunate and were placed in windows December 25th to January 6th to indicate welcome to any passerby needing shelter and food.

Legend tells us that candles in windows guide the Christ Child as he wanders from house to house on Christmas Eve looking for a place to stay. Thus, no traveler can be turned away on Christmas Eve in case the Christ Child might come by. Today, especially at Christmas, candles signify the message of the season. A candle burning in the window of some Christian homes symbolically lights the way of the Holy family, as well as welcomed guests.

 

CANDY CANE

It had to be special to be a gift for the King of Kings, thought the humble candy maker. It would be a gift of love that would tell His story – the greatest story ever told.

The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of the Christmas season, and the purity and sinless nature of Jesus.

Next, he added three small stripes to symbolize the pain inflicted upon Jesus before His death on the cross. There are three of them to represent the Holy Trinity. He added a bold stripe to represent the blood Jesus shed for mankind so that we may have eternal life.

The candy cane is formed into a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus. It also represents the staff of the Good Shepherd.

Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made these candy canes for Christmas, so everyone would remember what Christmas is all about.

 

DOGWOOD

In Jesus’ time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.

 ‘Twas strong and firm it’s branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds true:
“Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so.

Slender and twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom’s center wears a thorny crown.

 All who see it will remember Me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

 

DONKEY

Legend tells us the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday followed Him to Calvary. Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the cross, the donkey turned away but could not leave.

It is said that the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey. A cross marking found on many donkeys today remains a testimony of the love and devotion of a humble, little donkey.

 

EVERGREEN TREE

One winter, when the birds were all leaving to fly south and warmer areas, one little bird broke its wing on the way and was left behind. Soon frost and snow covered the forest and she was cold and hungry. She asked the trees to help her and let her stay in their branches. The birch tree was proud of being beautiful, and haughtily replied to the bird’s pleas by saying that he could not possibly help her.  He had to look after the birds of the forest first. The strong oak tree was reluctant because it was afraid that the bird would have to live there till spring time and would eat up some of its acorns. Even the willow tree that seemed to be gentle otherwise refused to help or even talk to the stranger.

The poor bird was in much distress. She tried to fly some more, but her wing was still not fit for the purpose. Seeing her struggling like this, the spruce tree asked her why she seemed so downcast. When the bird revealed her miseries, the spruce offered her the thickest, softest and warmest branch to stay. The bird was really glad to find some help. Inspired by the kindness of spruce tree, the big and strong pine tree also volunteered. Pine offered to protect the spruce tree and the bird from the North Wind all through the winter. The little juniper tree also piped in to offer its berries to the bird to quench her hunger. So, the bird lived comfortably there and flew away again at springtime when its wing healed again.

The Frost King, who kept close note of the behavior of all trees, strictly instructed the North Wind not to touch even a single leaf of the kind spruce, pine and juniper trees, while he was free to play havoc with the leaves of other trees. The North Wind especially enjoyed plucking the shining, green leaves of the willow, oak and birch trees leaving them bare for the winters, with nothing to protect them from snow, rain and sleet. It is for this kindness that the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always green and they are known as evergreen trees.

 

MISTLETOE

Ancient Druids believed mistletoe had medicinal powers and was sacred. They thought it brought good fortune and when hung in a house, the house was protected from evil.

One early Christian belief suggests mistletoe to be a link between heaven and earth because it grows in trees and never touches the ground.

Mistletoe is also considered the plant of peace. Under it enemies in ancient Scandinavia met and reconciled their differences. From this ceremony came the English custom of kissing under the mistletoe.

 

NUTCRACKER

After a German legend, nutcrackers were given away in order to bring the family luck and to protect the house. The legend says that a nussknacker represents energy and strength and serves like a faithful awake dog, which protects the family and helps against danger. This is an effective protection, because the nutcracker exposes his teeth and serves as the traditional courier of luck and sympathetic consideration.

Nutcrackers represent ‘the cycle of life’, since the seed of a nut falls to the soil.  It then grows into a strong tree and gives the gift of wood to woodcutters and woodcrafters.
The famous ballet “The Nutcracker and the Mouse king” is about a nutcracker who saves a little girl. The story is about a young girl named Clara. Her doting uncle Drosselmeyer gifts her a magical and mysterious nutcracker that she always keeps by her side. One night, when she was sleeping, the evil Mouse King came and tried to take her to his kingdom. Then, the Nutcracker Prince sprang to life and fought the Mouse King and rescued Clara.

 

PINECONE

There once was a poor family who had very little food or wood to keep them warm. The mother decided to go into the woods and gather pinecones to sell for food, and some to keep them warm.

When she picked up her first cone, she heard a voice say, “Why are you taking my pinecones?”  It was an elf.  The woman explained the whole sad story. With a smile, the elf told her to go to the next forest where she would find much better pinecones. When she had reached the forest, she was very tired.  She sat against the tree and put her basket down.  Magically, pinecones began falling to the ground.  She gathered them up, gave thanks, and returned home. When she sat the basket down, every pinecone had turned into silver.

So to this day, always keep a pinecone on your hearth, for legend has it that a silver pinecone will bring good fortune your way.

 

POINSETTIA

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

“I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes,” said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro’s kind words: “Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.” She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season. Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

 

ROBIN

The Christmas night was extremely cold, and a cold breeze blew constantly into the stable where Mother Mary lay with her infant, Jesus. The fire in the stable, the only source of heat for the baby, was about to go off and all that Mary could do was call the surrounding animals for help. She asked the sleeping ox, lazy donkey, horse and the sheep, but they were either of no use or just refused to help.

Suddenly, Mary heard the flapping sound of wings. A robin had heard Mother Mary’s cry for help and had flown to the stable to help her out. The robin flapped his wings hard at the dying embers of fire until the fire was rekindled and became bright red. He fanned continuously, flapping hard so that the fire never went out and kept the baby warm.

To ensure that the fire stayed alive, the robin used his beak and dropped some dry sticks in the fire. This caused the fire to rise abruptly and it burnt the breast of the bird. Despite the burns that he received, the bird continued fanning so that the infant could be kept warm for long enough to sleep comfortably. Mother Mary heartily thanked the robin for his efforts and tenderly looked at his breast that was now red with the burns and blessed him for his deed of valor and selflessness. 

 

ROSE

On a cold December night, everybody was coming to see their new Savior and brought Him all kinds of gifts and presents. The three Wise Men came in with their valuable gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold and offered them to Baby Jesus. At that point, a shepherdess, Madelon, who had seen the wise men passing through, reached the door of the stable, to see the Child. However, being very poor and having brought nothing to offer to the child, she felt helpless and started weeping quietly at the sight of all the wonderful gifts that the Three Wise Men gave the child. Earlier, she had searched for flowers all over the countryside, but there was not even a single bloom to be found in the bitter winter.

An angel outside the door was watching over her and knew about her fruitless search. He took pity on her and, when he saw her head drooped down in sorrow, decided to help her with a little miracle. He gently brushed aside the snow at her feet and where her tears had fallen, sprang a beautiful cluster of waxen white winter roses with pink tipped petals. Then he softly whispered into the shepherdess’s ear that these Christmas roses are far more valuable than any myrrh, frankincense or gold, for they are pure and made of love. The maiden was pleasantly surprised when she heard those words and joyfully gathered the flowers and offered them to the Holy Infant, who, seeing that the gift was reared with tears of love, smiled at her with gratitude and satisfaction. Thus, the Christmas rose came to symbolize hope, love and all that is wonderful in this season.

 

RUDOLPH

Rudolph, a reindeer, was different from all other reindeers because he had a big, shiny red nose. Every other reindeer used to make fun of him and called him ‘Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer’. No need to say how embarrassing this was to poor Rudolph! His family also disliked him and this deepened Rudolph’s depression. He spent a lonely life with no friends and acquaintances and because other reindeers never let him play with them, he always played with snowmen.

One Christmas Eve, Santa got ready for his annual world tour, with his flying sleigh and eight most handsome reindeers including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Vixen. That year, a thick fog engulfed earth, making it impossible for Santa to locate chimneys and distribute gifts. His eyes searched for help and suddenly, he spotted Rudolph with his red, shiny nose. Santa asked Rudolph whether he could help the convoy locate chimneys and distribute toys. Rudolph readily agreed and guided Santa safely to chimneys despite the bad weather, rain, fog, snow and sleet. Rudolf didn’t pull the sleigh; he guided the other reindeers who pulled Santa’s sleigh. After this incident, Rudolph became popular among his community and moved to the North Pole to live with Santa, his elves and other reindeers. 

 

SAGE

Joseph and Mary strived to get away from Judea while hiding from Herod’s mercenaries. Once during the journey escaping from Herod’s mercenaries, Mary couldn’t go on without some water. Their donkey was thirsty as well, and the baby needed to be nursed. Thus, they halted on the roadside where Mary nursed the Holy Child while Joseph went to the nearest village to get some water. Suddenly, Mary heard shouts and the approaching noise of the horses’ hooves. Her heart trembled with fear. She knew that if Herod’s soldiers caught her, they would cut the throat of the baby mercilessly. There was not a cave or a tree nearby where she could hide. Yet, she was desperate for a refuge.

Seeing a rose bush in bloom nearby, Mary requested a place to hide. Rose proudly refused to offer her any help, because she would be in danger of being crushed by the soldiers. Ever since then, rose has thorns on it. Mary rushed to a nearby clove bush for help as it had plenty of flowers to hide her and the infant. Clove also refused saying she was too busy putting up blooms. Since then, clove has ill-smelling flowers. The only bush that remained was Sage, who was kind and charitable when Mary approached her with a request to hide her and the baby. Sage readily blossomed abundantly, and created a canopy for Mother and Child. The soldiers passed by them without suspecting a thing. Since that time, the sage plant is considered sacred and is believed to possess many curative powers.

 

SANTA CLAUS

Hundreds of years ago, Nicholas was born to a wealthy Christian family in Patara in around 280 AD. The place is near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was so kind that he helped anyone who came his way. Soon many legends about his good deeds became popular. Later, he became the Bishop of Myra. He had inherited a large property, which he used from time to time to help the poor and the sick. He traveled anonymously in the night to ensure that all of his parishioners were well fed and happy. During one of his visits, he heard a family lamenting about their misfortunes and poverty, and how they were forced to sell the three poor sisters into slavery or prostitution because their father was unable to provide a suitable dowry to them or even provide food and clothes for them.

That very night, Nicholas threw three purses of gold secretly into their home from the chimney thus, saving them from shame and distress. Later, he became more and more popular as the protector and the patron saint of children and sailors. His popularity kept growing and by the Renaissance, he was the most popular European saint, especially in Holland. Even when Protestants discouraged the veneration of saints, St. Nicholas continued to enjoy his status and positive reputation and remained one with Christmas forever as Santa Claus or Father Christmas.

 

SNOWFLAKE

Long, long ago,

a shining star

led the way to a child

born in a manger.

Snowflakes are little pieces

of that gleaming star

that guides us to the

light of the world – Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

SNOWMAN

The white snow represents God’s forgiveness of our sins.

The circular snowballs show the everlasting life God promises us.

The carrot nose shows us that God has given us the Earth and all living things

The black coal mouth reminds us to give God praise.

The scarf keeps us warm, just as God’s love does.

The top hat reminds us to honor God above all things.

The twig arms are open to hold us the way God does when we need Him. 

 

SPIDER

Long ago on one Christmas Eve, the spiders were banished from homes and their webs broken while the houses were cleaned for Christmas. They survived by moving to the farthest corner of the attic. However, some of the young spiders longed to see the decorated Christmas trees and the little Christ child that came to bless the homes in the midnight. The elders tried to make them understand that they were not allowed inside the rooms, but the young spiders were quite curious and adamant. Finally, the oldest and wisest spider came up with a solution. He suggested that in the night, when everybody went to bed, perhaps they could creep out of their corners and get a closer look of the magical Christmas tree.

Even the adult spiders felt the thrill of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them. Midnight, when the house of a noble family was dark and silent, spiders crept out of their hiding place and slowly reached the Christmas tree. They were so captivated by the ethereal beauty that they spent all night in the tree, crawling up and down and examining its beautiful ornaments. They could not curb their urge to weave pretty and delicate spider webs all over the tree as they danced on its branches. In the wee hours of the morning, the Christ child came to bless the house. He was surprised to find little spiders and their webs on the tree.

He knew that every creature was made by God, and yet he knew how the mother, who had worked hard all day to make everything perfect, would be dismayed to find the spider webs on the tree. Thus, with a heart full of love and a lovely bewitching smile on his lips, the Christ child gently touched the spider webs and set them sparkling and shining in silver and golden colors that made the Christmas tree look even more beautiful than before. It is said that this is how tinsel was introduced to decorate Christmas trees. Some people also hang a plastic spider in remembrance of the devoted little spiders who worked hard that Christmas Eve.

 

STAR

A diamond shines no brighter

Than that lovely Christmas star.

It shines in all its brilliance;

It’s seen from near and far.

A symbol of the Christ child

As He lay upon the hay.

It tells to all the waiting world

A King was born that day.

O’ Bethlehem Star keep shining –

Give us faith and hope and love.

Keep our thoughts forever turning

To the Savior up above.

Give us strength and hope and courage

To do our best by far,

And never falter in our faith As we watch that Christmas star.

 

STOCKING

Folklore tells the story a kind nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions the family had to move into a peasant’s cottage, where the daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.

When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries, money and property given to the new husband’s family. One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing, they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman’s house. Looking in the window, Saint Nicholas saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the daughters’ stockings. Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them one by one down the chimney and they landed in the stockings.

 

STORK

Mother Mary lay in a stable in Bethlehem, with baby Jesus, surrounded by an assortment of birds and beasts that had come over to greet the Lord of the world. The wild animals stood far and just hoped for nothing more than a glimpse of the new born King while the rest of the animals knelt down humbly beside the infant.

Among those kneeling, stood a long-legged stork with white feathers. He was moved by the sight of the baby King lying in the straw, with no pillow, to rest His head. Although the bird could not offer any crown or jewels befitting the baby King, his true compassion for Jesus made him give the ultimate gift to Him. He plucked feathers from his plumage and gave them to the child to be used as a pillow. This was the best pillow that the baby could ask for. Infant Jesus smiled with overwhelming gratitude and blessed the stork with undying glory. Even today, storks are a symbol of births and are considered indispensable to baby-showers. Today, if one spots a stork flying in the air or on the roof a house, it is considered a lucky omen as storks are now referred to as the patrons of ‘babies’.

 

WREATH

A young orphan boy was living with the shepherds when the herald angels appeared announcing the glad tidings of Christ’s birth.

On the way to Bethlehem, the child wove a crown of holly branches for the newborn king. But when he lay it before Jesus, the crown looked so unworthy that the little shepherd became ashamed of his gift and began to cry. Then the Christ Child reached out, touched the crown, caused its leaves to sparkle shiny and green, and turned the orphan’s tears into scarlet berries.