The Real 12 Days of Christmas

The 12 days of Christmas is actually the counting of days from December 25 to January 6. Western churches acknowledge January 6 as the day for when the magi were introduced to the baby Jesus. This day, January 6 is also known as Epiphany. Obviously, because there is not a known date for the birth of Jesus, there are also different beliefs concerning when Epiphany should observed. The calendar in use also creates confusion as to when the magi found the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Or, as previously stated, we also know that day of when the magi paid homage to the 'new king', the baby Jesus as the day of Epiphany. ...Please continue reading on editorial page.

The Bethlehem Star

The Bethlehem star; just to say this phrase may bring to mind a localized news paper. In fact, you have heard of this local herald of the Middle East. At least once a year, the words bring mention of an event which occurred just over 2,000 years ago.

The images we conjure are often of angelic beings among the radiance of this star, trumpeting the arrival of ‘Emmanuel', the long awaited Messiah. Angels, curious animals, three wise men (kings, maji); The Magi will be somewhat central to this story. The star meant something to them. How did they know Jesus would be born?

Dr. Michael Molnar, Ph.D. in Astronomy has written a book entitled, The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi. In Molnar's work, he discusses having purchased an ancient coin from Antioch Syria. The coin commemorates the superstitious belief that a king would be born when ....Click here to continue reading.

Origin of the Candy Cane

Up to the point those neigh sayers at snopes.com have claimed to debunk this more than well told and plausible tale, the first historical reference to the candy cane has commonly been thought to be in the 1670's.

A choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, found a need to keep children occupied during the nativity services of Christmas mass. The popular sugar cane was, at that time a straight stick of peppermint flavored hardened sugar. Being creative, as a shepherd's crook is used to realign a wayward sheep, the choir master whimsically had the candy sticks formed with a bend inorder to appear as the crooks of shepherds....Click here to finish reading.

Silent Night

December 24, 1914 World War I soldiers on both sides of ‘no man’s land’ rest in the night. Mockery from one side to the other can be heard, jeering the efforts of men to sing some joy into their miserable existence on the battlefield. Then a voice sang, ‘Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht’ recognized by the allied forces to be the words introducing the first two measures of Silent Night. Men from both sides began to add their voices.... Click here to continue reading my editorial on Silent Night

Saint Nicholas. Connecting folk lore with legend

Every fourth Thursday in November, The Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade concludes with Santa trailing the parade as if to usher in a new season. One report declares Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade is actually a patron celebration with Santa, representing Saint Nicholas of Myra as the guest of honor.

Aside from Santa making his debut in the Macy's parade, annually, Santa begins distributing gifts, as early as December 5, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day in the Netherlands. This is where we get to the grass roots of who Santa Clause is...
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Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Kissing Under the Mistletoe

One popular ornament of Christmas which may inspire mischief to steal a kiss is the mistletoe. Just as the Yule Log was brought to Christmas by Scandinavians, the appearance of the mistletoe at Christmas time is also of Scandinavian origin.

Kissing under the mistletoe is a custom of interesting development, intended to show mistletoe as a plant of love and peace.

Why does anyone care, right? Well, the articulation of mythology often requires elaborate tales to justify an occurance for which patrons of mythological deistic schemes have plotted. Click here to finish...By finishing the article, you will generate credits that will, by some complicated formula translate into pennies that will be accumulated for a year. At this time, next year, I will contribute what is in the PayPal account to a charity.