31 Days of Christmas/What We Know (Day 7)

Christmas in Japan is quite different from our Christmas here in the US. Since there are not many Christians in Japan, it is not a so-called "religious holiday."  And it is not a national holiday either. However, the Emperor's birthday is on December 23, and that is a national holiday so schools close that day, and sometimes they close Christmas day and also there is a New Year's school break so, the holiday tends to start around the 23rd.  (Whew!) But businessmen treat the 25th as a regular working day.

Christmas has only been celebrated in Japan for a few decades and they now have accepted the US traditions of sending Christmas cards and gifts.

Christmas Eve is more of a romantic day where couples often spend the day together to exchange gifts much like our Valentines Day here in the US. However, if you are visiting from another country on Christmas Eve in Japan, you may find it extremely hard to find a table at any restaurant there because it is very popular for young couples to have a romantic meal and restaurants on that day are very busy.

It came as a surprise to me that the Japanese often eat chicken for their meal on Christmas day but more than that, they often have Kentucky Fried Chicken that day! Orders can be placed ahead of at KFC. In 1974  there was an ad campaign for KFC and was hugely successful in selling their chicken for the Christmas meal. I guess I am just more into ham for Christmas Day because, for me, that is traditional. I live in a town where KFC is readily available all the time, should I want to get that any other day of the year. However, every country, as well as every individual family, is different and perhaps many Americans would prefer KFC as well. At least they don't have to do the dishes and that can be a real treat!

The traditional food for Christmas day is a sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Umm. sounds like our shortcake here in America! And for some reason, this surprises me as well.
But not so fast. These cakes are often served at children's parties as well and some are beautifully decorated with trees, flowers, and other decorations. And yes, even  Santa Claus. Santa Claus? Now there is another one. Suprise that is.

However, in Japan, Santa Claus is known as Mr.Santa, (the picture on the right shows one idea of their Santa, made of foil) but there is another that brings gifts that is known as a 'gift bringer' and not related to Christmas. And that is Japanese god by the name of Hoteiosho who brings good fortune. 

The Japanese certainly have some different ideas and celebrations as of course all countries around the world, but I think the one that I find most difficult is that they do not celebrate it as a religious holiday. And sure, I get that many in our own country and others in the world don't either. In fact, surveys that have been done by the Pew Research Center show that just 55% of adults in the US celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Sadly the birth of Christ in our celebrations has been in a decline over the decades, as more and more of us have put aside the teachings of his birth and the teachings of our parents.

To me, celebrating Christmas as a day for a romantic interest and to eat chicken, it really is sad. The Japanese, while I do not mean to put their day down at all, sure seems very empty. Certainly devoid of all that Christ came into the world for. It makes me so thankful that I was born in this country and yet sad for those here that could care less about why he was born as well. And many that don't even believe in the "fairy tales" of the Bible. Those people are missing the very very and I mean VERY BEST PART OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! And how sad is that for me that for some of my friends, for some of my own family members, for the world, that chooses to celebrate or maybe not to celebrate the real reason that Christmas began in the first place so long ago.

Christ was born with a job to do. A very specific and special job. His Father God employed him as the one to save this cold and dark world if you will. To make it a just a holiday whether to spend time romantically with someone and eat chicken or get up on Christmas day to unwrap gifts and eat ham without also being thankful for the real reason we should be celebrating it, is sad, and yet it is done everywhere. In many homes. In many relationships. Many years ago there was a baby born in a cave or a barn or whatever it was because there was no room for him to come into this world in a warm place. Now he wants to be in our hearts, not just on Christmas, but on every day of the year. That is why he came and that is why we truly celebrate his birth.



Yesterday's symbol for the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' was 6 Geese a Laying. Did you look up their meaning? No? Well, the answer is:

Day 6 (December 30) St Edwin of Worcester

Now, who was that you might ask. And what did he have to do with 6 ladies dancing? To tell you the truth, I have no idea.

However, later this month, I hope to bring all of these ideas about this song come together for a picture of what the songwriter actually meant. And I do mean I hope, but I do think I can pull it off for you!

Tomorrows Symbol is Seven Swans Swimming. Come back to find what they meant. God bless!
(Todays sorces: Christmas Around the World,Christmas Traditions and Celebrations in Different Countries and Cultures -- whychristmas?com  and   Americans Say Religious Aspects of Christmas Are Declining in Public Life | Pew Research Center)

31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 6)

As I researched Germany for today, I found some different traditions than what I thought they would be. A little on the strange side, maybe. I have a vested interest in their particular celebrations because I am of German descent, although to be honest with you until now I have never looked into them. And there were some that I found a little strange, I do admit, and others that were interesting, to say the least.

German families start getting ready for Christmas four Sundays before Christmas. They make an Advent wreath of pine or fir branches and four candles. Each Sunday, they light a candle, sing songs and eat Christmas cookies.

Ok, so that is not so strange. I have seen Christmas movies where the actors do something similar. and perhaps this tradition has been carried to the US? So what about something a little more on the strange side?

While the Germans have their own version of Santa Claus or St Nicholas, they also have what they call the Christkind. (Christ Child) The Christkind is said to be an angelic figure with blond hair and wings. The Christkind brings the children their presents (Geschenke) on December 24th and leaves them under the Welhnachtsbaum. (Christmas tree) He like our Santa Claus is not to be seen and the parents tell the children they are not to look for him.

This question was raised on the site where I found this information which is Forget Santa - Meet the Christkind! | German Language Blog | German Language Blog


But why does the Christkind exist if we already have a Santa Claus?!

Ah, my thoughts really upon reading about the Christkind because I being from a German heritage never, ever heard of him.

But the answer was simple. Santa Claus originated as a Catholic figure, while the Christkind was created by Protestants. Interesting and there is much more information about it on the afore site mentioned, should you like to go there to learn about them. For this blog, I will move on to other traditions from Germany.

Advent Season brings with it many Christmas markets that open up in almost every German town no matter their size. Everything needed for Christmas could be purchased in the markets, from toys to cookies to hand blown ornaments. The town squares are lit up with lights, decorations are put up and people gather to listen to brass band music.

Carp or goose is served most often for the Christmas meal, and Stollen, a popular fruited yeast breat is eaten during Christmas. I myself truly hope that it tastes much better than the fruitcakes we get in this country, although I must say, homemade fruitcakes are very good, and much much better than store bought, so if you have never tried baking your own, you might want to try this year. Or maybe you would like to try Stollen. You can find the recipe for it at Stollen Recipe -- Christmas Fun -- whychristmas?com along with other information from today's blog, as well.

The last so-called German tradition I want to write about today is something I never knew about as well. And in fact, it is said to be a German custom but they had never heard of it. And so I found it quite a story. Have you ever heard of the Christmas Pickle? It is a pickle ornament that was supposed to been hung on the Christmas tree and in the morning on Christmas, whichever child found it first would get an extra gift from Santa Claus or it was supposed to bring good fortune during the year. The legend was at some point discounted because Germans had never heard of it, so it is thought to be originated from Americans.

Where ever it did come from, those pickle ornaments do pop up on trees now and then. We have one in our collection of ornaments that I have no idea where it came from nor did I know the story until researching today's blog. It is possible that it came from ornaments inherited from my own family. However, I do not ever remember one hanging on our trees in past Christmas or even seeing it on their trees after I left home. So it is a mystery in my own life. And an interesting one at that. However, just because of this story, I intend to be sure to pass it on to one of my own kids with its own mystery of how it came to be in my possession and indeed the Mystery of the Christmas Pickle. Sounds like a great title for a book, don't you think?. I wonder if there is any book already written about it.....hmmm..... To learn more about the Christmas Pickle go to Christmas pickle - Wikipedia


The Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas' was said to have special meaning in its symbols. We have been looking at what those symbols meant. Yesterday's question was what did the 5 golden rings stand for?

Answer:
Day 5 December 29: St. Thomas Becket. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 12th Century and was murdered on December 29th for challenging the King's authority over the church.

Ok, so I get that they remembered him on that day, but ask the question of how his death was affiliated with the 5 golden rings in the carol? I am hoping that later this month I can find the answers to them, as I am sure they might exist. However, let's get on with just what they stand for now.

Tomorrow's question: What are the 6 geese a laying? Find out tomorrow.
sorce:The 12 Days of Christmas -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com


Thanks for your visit today Friends. I hope you are enjoying these customs from other countries. But as you read and perhaps learn about them, do not forget that while they may be interesting, they are not what is most important and only came to be after the birth of Jesus. And while they may be similar to his birth (as in the Wiseman giving gifts to the Christ child and us giving gifts to others), all our customs fade so very dimly to the real reason we celebrate this season in the first place. So please enjoy this time of decorating, and preparing for the day we celebrate his birth, but do not forget why you are celebrating it because, without his birth, there would be no celebration at all. Have a blessed day for the Lord lives and blessed be the Rock of my Salvation.
Psalm 18:46

31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 5)

Germany is the next place we stop to learn of some of their Christmas traditions. And one of the things I learned quite by default a couple days ago was the Nutcracker originated there. Now, to be honest, I have never cared for them and have never owned one and probably never will own one. However, the other evening, I turned on the Lifetime movie "A Very Nutty Christmas' with Melissa Joan Hart and Barry Watson, where I learned that the Nutcracker did originate in Germany along with a tad bit of other information about it, and so I looked more into it apart from the movie.

According to legend, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes for good luck and to protect homes. It is said that they represent power and strength and watch over the home and family like a trusty watch dog. Additionally, they bare their teeth to evil spirits and are messengers of good will and good luck.

For the better part of two centuries, they have been the creation of the Steinbach family, who still runs the family business of fine woodworking products which is now located in Hohenbamien in the northern region of Germany.

Nutcrackers carry with them many stories and legends and are loved for their authentic costumes and charm. But they have not always been a collectible item as they are today. In fact, they only became popular and a collector's item in America in the 1950s. It was during World War 11 that they began to make their way here when soldiers of that period would go to open-air fairs or markets called KrisKringleMarket in Germany where they were discovered and brought back as many GIs returned home.

There is much that goes into the making of just one nutcracker. Included below is the very short version, of steps needed to produce them and should you want more information please visit:  The History of Nutcrackers

1. Curing the wood 2.Shaping the wood 3.Hand turning the wood 4.Automatic Lathe 5. Polishing and drilling 6. Pinning and spraying 7.Carving  8. Painting.


So if you have never had one of these pieces of art, at least the next time you happen to see one, you will know a little more about them. And if you like zany and funny movies, catch 'A Very Nutty Christmas'  on Lifetime as Mellisa Joan Hart as Kate Holiday wakes to find Chip as Barry Watson, a Nutcracker that has come to life, before he has to return home and in the process, she falls in love with him. It is a very entertaining movie and though it all make believe, sometimes we all just need a dose of funny, irrational make-believe. Don't you agree?


Did you know that the 4 birds mentioned in the Christmas Carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' can be called calling birds or colly birds? I always thought they are calling birds but happened to see they were called colly birds on a site when researching for this carol. And so I looked it up and indeed it is true and quite interesting should you like to read about it for your self you may find it at: Is it “Four Calling Birds” or “Four Colly Birds”? A “Twelve Days of Christmas” Debate | From the Catbird Seat: Poetry & Literature at the Library of Congress It just goes to show that no matter how old you get, there are always new things to learn. So on with the answer to yesterdays question.

Q. What do the 4 calling birds stand for in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
A. Day 4 Dec.28 The Feast of the Holy Innocents when people remember the day that King Herod had boy babies killed in an attempt to kill the Baby Jesus.

• Tomorrow's question: What do the five golden rings represent? I haven't a clue. Do you? The answer will be on tomorrows blog so don't miss it. In the meantime, thanks for coming by and have a blessed day!

31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 4)

Our next stop in seeking out the Christmas traditions of other countries is Italy.

The children of many Italian families write their letters to St. Nicolas on December 6th asking for gifts and they hang up a sock or put a plate on a table on Nicolas Eve. Sometimes a St. Nicholas will visit the children's home, and they will then sing a carol or recite a poem.

 Christmas celebrations start 8 days before Christmas with special 'Novenas' or a series of prayers and church services.

Some families burn a 'Ceppo' or yule log throughout the season and Christmas trees and are put up and homes are decorated.

Nativity Cribs play a very important part of their Christmas holidays. In 1222, St Francis of Assisi had been to Bethlehem and visited the place where they thought the baby Jesus had been born. The next year and back in Italy, he used a crib to tell the Christmas story which made it popular.

Naples Italy became world famous for making its cribs at some point after that. They are known as 'Presepe Napolitano' meaning Neapolitan Cribs. But even though St. Francis of Assisi had made using the cribs popular, the use of them is really thought to have gone back to the year 1025, in the Church of St. Maria del presepe (Saint Mary of the Crib).

Up until the 16th century, only churches and monasteries had cribs in them, after which they began to appear in the homes as well. They are traditionally put up December 8th but the figure of baby Jesus is not added until the evening of December 24th.

Nativity Scenes with straw originally was actually used in Italy and is now commonly used in many countries around the world.

One custom that Italian children participate in is to go out singing carols and playing songs on shepherds pipes, wearing shepherds sandals and hats.

 In some families, on Christmas Eve a light meal of seafood, containing no meat or dairy is usually eaten before people go to Midnight Mass. Or in other families, no meal is eaten at all during the day as it is considered a day to fast.

Much more  about Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and other traditions can be known about by visiting Christmas in Italy -- Christmas Around the World -- whychristmas?com and
Christmas in Italy for Kids: Christmas Traditions and Celebrations should you be interested.

 I myself found some of them quite interesting as we do have similar customs here in the USA. So be sure to visit them if you want to learn more.

Today's answer to the three French hens of 'The Twelve Days of Christma"?

It is St John and friends.

Ummm. What has John and his friends got to do with 3 french hens? Maybe we will find out later in the season?

Tomorrows' question is 4 colly birds and what is their meaning? We will find out tomorrow friends. Until then thanks for coming and I hope you will be back then to learn the answer! Be blessed!

The 31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 3)

Christmas traditions in the United States have come from many countries due to the fact that we are such a multi-cultural country. France, Poland, Italy, The Netherlands, Mexico and of course we can't leave out the Uk are where many of our own customs and traditions have derived from. 

What kind of traditions do your families enjoy during the Christmas 

Season? 

For the next few days, I will be posting some traditions that countries around the world enjoy or have brought to the United States. Maybe you will find some new ones that your family might like to try. For today, I am listing a few from the USA.

Many Americans attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. We have done both. On those years that Christmas is on a Sunday, we would get up to eat some kind of special breakfast, and get dressed to go to church, and then come home to open our gifts. On some years we have gone to candlelight services and those always have such meaning and are so beautiful as we contemplate our Saviors birth so many years ago.

One of my favorite memories that we Americans do is pop popcorn to string for our Christmas trees. In between each popped kernel, we add a cranberry for color.

During December, we send out Christmas cards to family and friends. My sister-in-law makes some of her own to send out and they are very pretty.   Sometimes we will get them from businesses that show their appreciation for using their services or products during the year.

In our country, many people decorate the outside of their homes with lights or other decorations. My parents had a Santa that they lit up every year for Christmas. I inherited him when they passed, and next year before Christmas, he will make the trip south to be passed on to my son for his own family to enjoy. In the meantime, I have had him to remember the Christmas' of long ago that I will miss until I will join them someday in heaven.

Most families hang stockings for Santa to fill on his nightly trip to visit them on Christmas Eve. And my own family did that as well when we were growing up. But because my father worked the 3rd shift for a lot of those years, we were not allowed to get up at the crack of dawn to run down to open our gifts and stockings until he was ready to get up just a little later in the morning. So what Santa did for us, was to hide a wrapped toy of some kind under our beds as we slept, to keep us busy during those couple of hours. I always thought that was so thoughtful of Santa to do that so my dad could get a little extra hour or two in. (he he)

For most Western European families, the traditional meal on Christmas Day is either turkey or ham with cranberry sauce. while many families from Eastern European origins favor turkey with kielbasi, soups, and cabbage dishes. Italian families usually prefer lasagna.

 Both sides of our family originated in Germany, and my in-laws served ham and potato salad with their Christmas meal, while my own parents had ham, mashed potatoes, and gravy And though I love mashed potatoes and gravy, I came to take after my in-laws.when it came to my own family Christmas dinner. My mother-in-law had her own special way of making her potato salad that I still love many years later. I never quite made mine like hers, and sadly never asked her how she made it, but I have tried it over and over and finally a couple years ago came very close to her own for which I am glad for because I truly miss hers. Incidentally, when we cook a ham for a special occasion, my husband bakes it just like the one pictured, with pineapple, and maraschino cherries and just as his own parents did so many years ago. Um, um good! 

So there are just a few of the traditions that we have during the Christmas Season, although there are many more. I hope you have enjoyed reading about them. 

And of course, you know, before I go, I need to leave today with the answer to yesterdays question about what the 2 turtle doves were meant by in the Christmas Carol in The Twelve Days of Christmas. So here is the answer: 

2nd of Christmas (December 26th also known as boxing day) St. Stephen's Day. He was a Christian martyr who died for his faith

So then the next day in this carol is three French hens. What did they stand for in the song? This one is a little easier but come back tomorrow for the answer. 

(Some sources today from: Christmas in the United States of America -- Christmas Around the World -- whychristmas?com)

    I hope you are enjoying this series and as always thank you for coming. And if you have enjoyed this blog or just this series, please give me a Christmas gift and pass it along to your friends. It would bless me more than I can say! As for all of you please have a blessed Monday!

The 31 Days of Christma/What We Know About Them (Day 2)

Christmas Traditions. Something that most of us celebrate age-old ideas from days gone by that comes but once a year. But do you know where those that you have celebrated in your past really originated? Many are from the Old World. Brought to the United States by our ancestors. Food, Fun, and Family for all to share in during this the most important event in history. That of the birth of Jesus Christ. 


Have you ever wondered where the candy cane originated from? If not, well come along. I am about to tell you.

There is a legend about it that said that it made its debut in Germany some 250 years ago. The story goes that a choirmaster was afraid that some children in the church would be noisy during a Christmas Nativity Service one year. To keep them quiet, he gave them a sugar stick. To remind them of Christmas, when the shepherds visited the baby Jesus, he made them into the shape of a 'J' to remind them of a shepherd's crook.

Nice story. But is it true? I don't know but here is what I found out about these sugary Christmas treats.

The earliest records of the candy cane did not appear until sometimes in the 1900s. Red stripes were added to the wintergreen or peppermint canes.

There have been other Christian meanings that have been given to 'The Candy Cane' as well. The 'J' could stand for Jesus. The white could mean his purity and the red stripes, for the blood which he shed while on the cross.

It was around 1920 when a man in Georgia in the USA, named Bob McCormack started making the canes for his family and friends. As they became more popular, he started a business called Bob's Candies. His brother-in-law, Gregory Harding Keller, who was a Catholic Priest, invented the 'Keller Machine', which automatically turned the straight candy sticks to the curved sticks.

To be sure, the candy cane has provided many a child and adult alike with much enjoyment during the season, in anticipation of Christmas day not only for the day when family and friends gather to exchange gifts and eat holiday meals, but also to celebrate the birth of Christ and the wonderful worship services that remind us what the original Christmas really was!

As in yesteryear, they were hung on the trees that adorned homes in a more simpler time during this time of year which is still done in homes today amid the more lavish of decorations of our modern times. And there are many crafts that include those of the edible and non-edible kind. If you have a talent for crafts and can do elaborate ones, or like me, that needs to keep things simple, all you have to do is scan the internet to find them of all shapes and sizes. Try coming up with your own this year. Or better yet, recruit the kids to join in the fun of creating their own version. Whatever hits your fancy, you are sure to delight everyone that comes around to spend the holidays with you and yours!


Speaking of candy canes, here is an easy recipe you may enjoy trying.

My mother loved Christmas. The decorating. The cooking. The entertaining her family and friends that would visit her during the month of December. If you were to stop at her house on any given day, whether on the spur or if she knew you were coming, she always had cookies or other treats to serve to you.

One of her very favorites though was a non-acholic drink made with a scoop or two of the pink peppermint ice cream in a mason jar mug with some Fago Red Pop poured over it. She then placed a candy cane and a straw in each mug sprinkled crushed candy cane on top of the ice cream and served the mugs to her guests. Easy and a wonderful treat they were and she loved doing it. She has been gone for quite a few years and after the Lord called her home, I carried on this particular tradition for several years. I don't make them anymore myself, but every Christmas, I think about her and the all the ways that she loved having people visit her so that she could put her talents to work to share with and others and make them happy. And while making others happy is not the main reason for this season, it does go a long way because after all, it was the baby Jesus that came to earth to share himself with us!


For the last piece that I have for today, do you know what the first day of Christmas in the carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' meant?

Reminder: According to The 12 Days of Christmas -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com each of the 12 days traditionally celebrates a feast day for a saint and/or have different celebrations. ( see more infomation at that site)

Day 1: On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree..  represents December 25th, celebrating Christ's birth.

My own thoughts about that would be it is that date and day of celebration because my true love is Jesus and he No.! For me, that is just a given. But what has a partridge in a pear tree got to do with Jesus. I am not sure about the answer to that question. Maybe later in the month I can try to find out its meaning. In the meantime, how about the second day?

Day 2: On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves...

Can you take a guess as to what they stand for and get it right? I must confess that without looking, I had no idea at the answer. So unless your curiosity gets the best of you and you decide to look it up, come back tomorrow for the answer. Til then....

Have a very blessed Lord's Day!

The 31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 1)

For the whole month of December, I will be posting some traditions of the Christmas Season and how we celebrate them plus sharing some fun things and gift ideas. And more importantly, going through the story of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope you will come and visit.  

To kick off the season, I begin to give you some background on the Christmas Carol  'The Twelve Days of Christmas and adding a little bit about it each day for the next few days.

Do you know where it came from? I did not until I started my research on Christmas traditions.

So it goes back to England in 1558. From that date to 1829, Catholics were not allowed to practice their form of Christianity, neither in public or private. It was illegal to own a  Catholic Bible and if caught you could be put in prison. Because King Henry V111 had a falling out with the Catholic Church, he started his own protestant church, still known as the 'Church of England.' It was then illegal for Catholics to worship and many that did. did it in secret.  

The song, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'  was supposedly written during this time in England to secretly teach their children about the Catholic religion Each day is said to have a special hidden message. However, there is no proof this is actually true and that instead, it was just a folk song..

And so what did were the meanings that were supposed to be behind the gifts given each day in the song. Stayed tuned tomorrow for more on this loved carol that has come down through the centuries.

Whatever your ethnic heritage, most people do enjoy the Christmas Season. There are many recipes that make it special. And here is one from Italy that you might try:  

Chicken with Coconut Rice

Ingredients

1 Chicken

1 coconut or a can of unsweetened coconut milk

2 tomatoes

2 onions

2 cloves garlic

20 grams/0.75 oz.ginger

oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions

Cut chicken into pieces, add salt and pepper to taste. Slice tomatoes into small cubes. Slice onions. Chop garlic and ginger until fine. Set aside.

Shred coconut into a clean cloth. Fold the cloth around the coconut. With a glass of warm water, wet the cloth. Squeeze the cloth and coconut to extract the coconut milk. 

Discard the coconut.

Or to avoid the above steps, us a can of unsweetened coconut milk.

Add a small amount of oil to a frying pan. Saute chicken over medium heat until tender. Add onions and stir until brown. Add tomatoes, garlic, and ginger and saute over medium heat. Then add coconut milk and mix well.. Reduce heat, let simmer for 30 minutes. 

Serve with rice and salad.

That is it for today Friends. For the sources of these and many other Christmas traditions, please visit: Christmas Customs and Christmas Traditions, The History of Christmas -- whychristmas?com

Thanks for coming by and have a blessed filled day!