CHRISTMAS carols; Christmas classics’ and Christmas bells are ringing. Most are taking part this season, singing, chanting, playing instruments or ringing the bells. Can’t help but stop to listen or to take part in this joyous time of the year by filling the halls, and the night air, with Christmas music. I love it; don’t you?
MY SISTER Joyce, was born in the early part of January 1941; just after Christmas. My mother use to sing a Christmas carol that both Joyce and I remember but can not find it, even on the internet. We always imagined Mom gave her the middle name of Carol because of this little song. It goes like this; “Carol O Carol, Christmas is here; gladdest of birthdays of all the year; gladdest of birthdays of all the year!” Funny how songs and music helps to remember seasons; times; celebrations and especially Christmas!
WE PICKED UP our tree this afternoon. I like a flocked tree! Helps to manage the needles. We thought about buying a manufactured tree, but finding a flocked commercial one is hard! They look so fake! I know there is one out there, so we will just keep looking. Perhaps one is waiting just for us,and it will be on sale next month.
SOME YEARS AGO a discussion came up as to whether we should put a tree up in the Church. We all had trees in our home, but in the Church it would be sacrilege. In the 700's, a monk named Boniface wanted to prove, the belief that oak trees were sacred or magical was not true. He wanted people to understand that the creator of trees was to be worshiped, not the tree!
ONE CHRISTMAS, Boniface became frustrated with the pagan rituals and so he went out and chopped a large oak tree down in his anger. The mighty oak fell and crushed everything in its path except for a tiny fir tree. Boniface felt it was a miracle that the baby tree survived. Many years after that the people planted little saplings to celebrate Christmas, eventually decorations were added. Traditions followed with taking the trees indoors and even putting candles on them, which is also an interesting story how lights came about at Christmas time.
I CAN”T HELP being excited about the gaudiness of Christmas. Even just a little bit sets me off, but when it is out of the box, oh how my heart responds! The Christmas Tree song, “O Tannenbaum”, that we sing during this season, came out of Germany by an unknown composer. The melody is an old folk song. When it was translated into English it became known as “O Christmas Tree”. Did you know that the Fir Tree branches are unchanging?
THE SECOND verse says; “Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety. Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety. On Christmas Day you stand so tall, affording joy to one and all. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety.” No two Christmas trees are alike! A decoration? Absolutely!
WHILE SHEPHERDS were tending their sheep at night a miraculous event happened. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! What will prove it to you is this; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 Talk about extravaganza happenings! We decorate to the hilt and God fills the skies with angels and choirs and music to bring us news of great joy!
WE CONTINUE to celebrate Christ’s birth even today - the announcement the Angel gave, is still being given to all, except the child grew to be a man. He is no longer in the manger but fulfilled His mission bringing us the good news. His death, His burial and His resurrection! Thanks be to God I can still celebrate my Savior’s birth by giving Him the honor, the glory and all the praise that is due Him! Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/12/15
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