Christmastime
Have you ever thought about how the traditions of Christmas has been handed down to us today? Well I thought it would be nice to share some old-thyme nostalgic memories. When I think of a Yule Log at Christmas I think of a chocolate cake shaped as a log, but its history dates way back to Viking times. It was in medieval England when this name was adopted for the log burning in the hearth during the 12 days of Christmas. It was considered unlucky to let the log stop burning. The log would then be used to light the fire in New Year to ensure the good luck carried on from year to year. Do you know who made the first Christmas Crib? It was St. Francis of Assisi who made it in Italy many centuries ago. He tied up an ass and ox outside a cave in the forest and had local people act the parts of Mary and Joseph. A wax child was put in a manger to represent Jesus. Most of us know Christmas Day is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But did you know the idea of bringing a fir tree into the house is thought to have come from Martin Luther, a German religious reformer from the 16th century. He decorated it with candles to show his children how beautiful the stars were one night as he walked through the forest. Also Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband brought the first Christmas tree over to England from Germany in 1846. These three examples lead us to Jesus Christ being the Light of the World. God is light in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another (1 John 1: 5) So let us shine His light on all who are still living in this darkened world and bring them His hope, joy and peace this Christmastime and always. Avril Taylor |
