Christmas Legends

[Debbie]

Legend of the Poinsettia

It once was the custom in Mexico for the villagers to leave a gift for the Baby Jesus in their church on Christmas Eve. In one small village, a little boy who had no gift to bring prayed to God for a way to show his love for the Infant King. God,in His mercy, looked down on the boy and answered his earnest prayer. By causing a flower to bloom where he knelt - a flower so brilliant and fair. The miraculous flower was formed like a star with leaves that were red and so bright. And the boy's precious gift has come to be known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".


Legend of the Christmas Tree

There is a legend that comes down to us from the early days of Christianity in England. One of those helping to spread Christianity among the Druids was a monk named Wilford. One day, surronded by a group of his converts, he struck down a huge oak tree, which, in the Druid religion, was an object of worship. As it feel to earth, the oak tree split into four pieces and four pieces and from its center sprung up a fir tree. Wilford turned to the Druids and said, "This little tree shall be your Holy Tree tonight. It is wood of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It's the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are evergreen. See how it points toward the heavens? Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather about it, not in the wilderness, but in your homes. There it will be surrounded with loving gifts and rites of kindness."

The modern Christmas tree as we know it dates back to 16th century Germany. The decorations used at that time consisted of various colors of paper roses, apples, wafers, gilt and sugar. In Protestant countries, Luther is credited as having been the first to place lighted candles on a tree in order to simulate the sight he had seen while traveling home one winter's night as the moonlight shimmered on the snow-covered trees. And the tree was first introduced into England in 1841 by German Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. The record of the first tree in the U.S.A., still undisputed, was that of German immigrants in Pennsylvania who first put up one on December 20, 1821.

Legend of Tinsel

Mary and Jesus were leaving the city to hide from King Herod.They grew very tired so they stopped in a cave to rest. The soldiers came by but did not look into the cave because it was covered in cobwebs. That night as they slept a spider had covered the entrance to the cave to keep them safe. When Mary and Jesus awoke the cobwebs shimmered in the morning sun and they new God had kept them safe. So when you see Tinsel on a tree it symbolizes the spiders web that saved Mary and Jesus.

Legend of the Holly

The holly berry that burns so red
(Raise high the holly!)
Once was whiter than wheaten bread
(As love is better than folly.)

Whiter than shells along the shore
It blooms on its tree by a stable door.

Villagers come there, half-afraid,
Gifts in their hands for Child and Maid.

And one has nothing of note, so he
Fetches a branch of the holly tree.

Alas, alas, the little Newborn
Has pricked His finger upon a thorn,

Has left His blood on the spiny leaves.
Heavy of heart the holly grieves,

Sees in a terrible vision how
A crown of holly shall bind His brow
When Child is man.

For sorrow and shame
The berries have blushed as red as flame.
Says Mary the Mother,
"Take no blame.

"But be of good cheer as ever you can.
Both foul and fair are the works of man,

"Yet unto man has My Son been lent.
And you, dear tree, are the innocent

"Who weeps for pity what man might do.
So all your thorns are forgiven you."

Now red, rejoicing, the berries shine
On jubilant doors as a Christmas sign

That desolation to joy makes way.
(Hang high the holly!)
Holly is the symbol of Christ's Birthday.
(When love shall vanquish folly.)

[Ann]

Oh I just love these Christmas stories. Thank you Barbiedeb!!!!

[Debbie]

bumping for the season