ChristmasFurther applications of the Principles of JOY
This is the most Joyous season of the year! The celebration of birth of our inner Christ Child takes place around the globe.
Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries. People begin preparing early for this joyous occasion. they make or buy gifts for others. The women and girls keep busy baking sweets and getting ready for the big Christmas dinner.
All the family members help decorate the Christmas tree and the home. They use wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, ornaments and lights, Christmas music is played everywhere and there are special programs on television during the festive time.
Children usually have a two week winter holiday, and before leaving school they have programs and parties with their friends.
On Christmas Eve the children hang their stockings near the chimney or fireplace to be filled by Santa Claus. Santa comes with his sleigh and reindeer. He fills the stockings and leaves special gifts by the tree.
Many families go to church on Christmas Eve for a religious service. The church is lighted with candles and carols are sung.
In France most families enjoy two crèches, The first is in their own church. The other is at home. Great care is taken in setting it up. Holly and greens are purchased for a backdrop. A lighted star is always suspended over the crèche. The family gathers around and sings carols as the Petite Jesus is Placed in the manger, The Three Kings are Placed there on Epiphany Eve, (January 6.)
A special cookie is baked Some feel it must first be shared with needy people. In addition a "Cake of the Kings" is used in the January 6 celebration. A bean is placed inside and the person finding it is given a crown and becomes king of the party.
Christmas Eve is for gift giving. Shoes are left by the fire to be filled by Pere Noel. Birch sticks are sometimes left as a reminder to be good.
Ashes from the Yule log are saved and used during the year to ward off sickness, or other misfortunes. At midnight, on Christmas Eve, the grown-ups attend a special Mass. Afterwards, a late supper is served to adults. The children go to bed early to dream of their Christmas miracle.
The tannenbaum, or Christmas tree, is a custom that comes from Germany. A German minister, Martin Luther, saw a little pine tree covered with fresh snow, glistening in the moonlight. He thought the tree would be beautiful if it was decorated and inside the house. For many years the German people lighted their trees with wax candles of various colors. They also hung cookies, candies and fresh fruits on its branches.
They made many kinds of delicious cookies. They often decorated gingerbread houses. Many of our favorite fairy tales come from Germany, also.
In some parts of Germany a girl called Kristkind brings the gifts. She wears a crown with candles and carries a basket of gifts. Hans Trapp, a terrible demon, goes with her. He waves a stick and threatens children who have been bad!
German women spend many hours making gifts. The men carve figures from wood and paint them bright colors.
On Christmas Eve the family gathers together to begin the observance of Christmas, called the Bescherung. They light the candles on the tree, and the children receive their gifts.
In Mexico the holidays begin on December sixteenth. Then the nine day Posada processions start and the nativity scenes called Nacimientos, are set up in each home. The Posada is a procession that shows Mary and Joseph looking for a room in the inn before Baby Jesus was born. The family carries a statue, but the infant, Baby Jesus, is not Placed in the manger until Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Eve there is a party with a piñata. This is a paper-mache container filled with candy and toys. It hangs from a cord. The children are blindfolded and take turns trying to break it with a stick. When it breaks the children scramble to get the goodies!
After this last Posada, everyone goes to church and celebrates a solemn midnight Mass.
The weather is warm at this time in Mexico. Flowers are used for decorations. The poinsettias and the Noche-Buena are in blossom. The poinsettia's pointed petals represent the Christmas Star.
The day for giving gifts does not come until January sixth. Chi1dren put out a pair of empty shoes with some straw for the Nacimiento. they pretend that Three Kings, riding camels, will leave gifts for the good children and pieces of coal for those who have misbehaved.
Families in Italy decorate with flowers instead of evergreens. Some homes decorate olive trees with oranges for their Christmas trees
In Italy each family has a miniature model of the nativity. It is called a Presepio. The day before Christmas the family fasts until evening. They gather around the Presepio to light candles, say prayers and place Baby Jesus in the manger. They light the Yule log and receive their gifts. The presents are in a large Jar called "The Urn of Fate." It is an exciting time and they usually have fireworks to add to the festivities!
The evening concludes with the family going to church. In the morning they go again and will go each day for the following twelve days.
January 6, or Epiphany, is a special day for children. La Befana, a good witch, comes on that day. She leaves ashes in the shoes of the children who were not good and presents for those who were well behaved.
In Sweden the Christmas season begins on December thirteenth. Then the eldest daughter, who plays the roll of Saint Lucia, serves coffee and sweet rolls to the family in the morning. She wears a lighted advent wreath on her head and sings carols. During the day other people, symbolic of Lucia, visit in offices, hospitals and hotels.
"Dipping Day" comes on Christmas Eve. At this time the family gathers in the kitchen and they dip a piece of block bread in hot broth. This is to bring them good luck in the coming year. Many years ago there was a famine in Sweden and black bread was the only food the people had.
A small elf-like figure, Juletomte, brings the gifts. He puts them on the floor and then leaves. After his departure, the family enjoys a large supper The following morning the family arises early and goes to church. Many candles are used to light the Christ Child on his way. The church is very beautiful!
Christmas Day is a quiet, religious day. "Second Christmas Day," which is from December 26 to January 13, the people are busy celebrating by visiting their friends and relatives.
Long ago Christmas was celebrated only as a religious holiday.
Queen Victoria introduced many of the customs that are used in African countries today. Therefore, many of their customs are similar to the ones used in England.
Africa has taken customs from other countries, too. You may see Santa Claus, gifts, greeting cards, carolers, decorated Christmas trees and stockings hung on bed posts.
On Christmas morning nearly everyone goes to church. Special music has been prepared for the service. All the people bring some type of gift to Jesus.
Many families celebrate with a big dinner. It is warm in Africa at this time of year. they use bright flowers as decorations. Sweet cakes are made and are special treats given to the farm people. The recipe originally came from Holland.
In Holland the Christmas celebration begins before December 5. Saint Nicholas, or Sinter Klaas, as the children call him, comes saiiIng into the harbor of many Dutch cities. He brings his white horse and his companion "Black Pete." There is a Parade and the children shout as the procession winds around the streets.
The children get ready for this visit by putting their wooden shoes outside their door. The shoes are filled with carrots and hay for Saint Nicholas' horse. The next morning the children find surprises Saint Nicholas has left for them.
Saint Nicholas wears the clothes of a bishop. He questions the children about their behavior. If anyone has been bad they are punished by Black Pete.
On Saint Nicholas Eve, the family gathers around the dininq room table. Each person finds his place with a chocolate initial. Holland is famous for Its delicious chocolate!
England was the first country to use Christmas cards. This custom is over 100 years old.
Preparation for Christmas begins early. Much baking of cookies and other sweets is done. Several Puddings and cakes are made with special surprises inside.
Holly and ivy are used to decorate homes, stores and churches. Carolers stroll about the streets singing joyous songs. Many of our present day carols come from England.
Father Christmas slips into the house on Christmas Eve and fills the stockings with treats. He looks just like our Santa Claus.
The Yule log is a very old English custom. A huge log is carried in and burned in the fireplace. It must burn for at least twelve hours. Ashes from this log are saved and used to start the fire the following year. It is believed this will bring good luck.
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Center of Joy is the monthly publication of the Lifestream Center for Creative Living. It is devoted to disseminating "Good News" that gives testimony to the positive application of the principles of living in the flow of the Lifestream. A new article will be presented each month. We invite you to apply these simple principles in your life and share your joyful results in a brief message with the world via this forum.
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Merry Christmas!
from Dr. Carolyn
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#4 Work with Joy. Whatever work you do, do it with delight, knowing that it is an important function in the overall service to humanity.
#5 Live in the center of your Joy,
and watch how contagious your joy becomes.
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