Read Online The Everything Family Christmas Book by Yvonne Jeffrey - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Yvonne Jeffrey
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associated so strongly with Christmas arose years ago in Mexico, where it was traditional to leave gifts on the altar for Jesus on Christmas Eve. As the story goes, among a group of worshipers one night was a poor boy that had no present. Upset by his inability to provide a gift, the boy knelt outside the church window and prayed. In the spot where he knelt sprang a beautiful plant with vibrant red leaves. In Mexico, this plant is called the Flower of the Holy Night.
The first American Ambassador to Mexico (1825–1829), Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, was so impressed by the vibrant plant that Mexicans called the Flower of the Holy Night that he brought it to America, where it was subsequently renamed in his honor.
With 80 percent of flowering poinsettias grown in Encinitas, California, this city just north of San Diego is known as the poinsettia capital of the world. Although traditionally red, the flower now comes in paler varieties as well, including pink and white.
The Yule Log
The tradition of the Yule log has very deep pagan roots. Celts, Teutons, and Druids burned the massive logs in winter ceremonies in celebration of the sun. The selection of each season’s Yule log was of the highest importance and surrounded by ceremony, as the log was to start the celebration fires and last for the duration of the winter festival.
In the Christian era, the log was often cut on February 2 (Candlemas Day), then set outside to dry during the late spring and summer; sometimes it was soaked in spices and decorated with greenery. Often a piece of the previous year’s log was used to light the new log. In Scandinavia, this saved piece had the additional significance of representing goodwill from Thor. Scandinavians believed that Thor’s lighting bolt would not strike burned wood and that their houses were safe from lightning as long as they had this Yule brand.
When Christianity emerged in Europe, the Yule log remained popular in England and Scandinavia. In order to justify this pagan ritual, church officials gave it a new significance, that of the light that came from Heaven when Christ was born. The log was lit on Christmas Eve and left burning throughout the twelve days of Christmas.
In some parts of France, the Yule log was presented as the source of children’s gifts. The log was covered with cloth and brought into the house, where the children whacked it with sticks, beseeching it to bring forth presents. When no presents came, the children were sent outside to confess the sins they had committed that year; when they returned, the log was uncovered, surrounded by gifts.
In the American South, plantation slaves always tried to select the biggest possible Yule log. As long as the log burned, the slaves had to be paid for any work they did.
Changes brought by the Industrial Revolution finally made the Yule Log impractical. Few had the time or space for the preparations it required, and the small fireplaces of the city could not accommodate such a massive thing. Like the boar’s head, the huge Yule log became, for most people, an emblem of the past.
It does, however, live on in the tradition of a delicious Christmas dessert: a cake rolled into the shape of a log, covered with chocolate icing, and decorated with greenery and icing sugar. You can find it in many countries, particularly England and France.
The Bird’s Christmas Tree
Also known as the Sheaf of Grain, the Bird’s Christmas Tree is a Scandinavian custom. A sheaf of grain is hung on a pole on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as a way of sharing the Christmas spirit with the animals. Including the animals in Christmas is very important in Scandinavia, as it is believed that kindness to animals will help to ensure a prosperous new year.
Boughs of Holly
In ancient times, holly was thought to be magical because of its shiny leaves and its ability to bear fruit in winter. Some believed it contained a syrup that cured coughs; others hung it over their beds to produce good
The first American Ambassador to Mexico (1825–1829), Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, was so impressed by the vibrant plant that Mexicans called the Flower of the Holy Night that he brought it to America, where it was subsequently renamed in his honor.
With 80 percent of flowering poinsettias grown in Encinitas, California, this city just north of San Diego is known as the poinsettia capital of the world. Although traditionally red, the flower now comes in paler varieties as well, including pink and white.
The Yule Log
The tradition of the Yule log has very deep pagan roots. Celts, Teutons, and Druids burned the massive logs in winter ceremonies in celebration of the sun. The selection of each season’s Yule log was of the highest importance and surrounded by ceremony, as the log was to start the celebration fires and last for the duration of the winter festival.
In the Christian era, the log was often cut on February 2 (Candlemas Day), then set outside to dry during the late spring and summer; sometimes it was soaked in spices and decorated with greenery. Often a piece of the previous year’s log was used to light the new log. In Scandinavia, this saved piece had the additional significance of representing goodwill from Thor. Scandinavians believed that Thor’s lighting bolt would not strike burned wood and that their houses were safe from lightning as long as they had this Yule brand.
When Christianity emerged in Europe, the Yule log remained popular in England and Scandinavia. In order to justify this pagan ritual, church officials gave it a new significance, that of the light that came from Heaven when Christ was born. The log was lit on Christmas Eve and left burning throughout the twelve days of Christmas.
In some parts of France, the Yule log was presented as the source of children’s gifts. The log was covered with cloth and brought into the house, where the children whacked it with sticks, beseeching it to bring forth presents. When no presents came, the children were sent outside to confess the sins they had committed that year; when they returned, the log was uncovered, surrounded by gifts.
In the American South, plantation slaves always tried to select the biggest possible Yule log. As long as the log burned, the slaves had to be paid for any work they did.
Changes brought by the Industrial Revolution finally made the Yule Log impractical. Few had the time or space for the preparations it required, and the small fireplaces of the city could not accommodate such a massive thing. Like the boar’s head, the huge Yule log became, for most people, an emblem of the past.
It does, however, live on in the tradition of a delicious Christmas dessert: a cake rolled into the shape of a log, covered with chocolate icing, and decorated with greenery and icing sugar. You can find it in many countries, particularly England and France.
The Bird’s Christmas Tree
Also known as the Sheaf of Grain, the Bird’s Christmas Tree is a Scandinavian custom. A sheaf of grain is hung on a pole on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as a way of sharing the Christmas spirit with the animals. Including the animals in Christmas is very important in Scandinavia, as it is believed that kindness to animals will help to ensure a prosperous new year.
Boughs of Holly
In ancient times, holly was thought to be magical because of its shiny leaves and its ability to bear fruit in winter. Some believed it contained a syrup that cured coughs; others hung it over their beds to produce good
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