Wacky Anne's Christmas Family Room: Christmas Dictionary

Bayberry

The berry of the Bay Tree, which is often used in the fragrant candles lit every Christmas. Legend has it that the Bay Tree gave shelter to the holy family during a storm. Therefore, lighting is said to never strike it. Sweethearts who light bayberry candles when they are separated at Christmas time will supposedly be united by way of the gentle scent.

Christmas Cactus

common name for Schlumbergarae Bridgeall

This cactus, is a native of Brazil, where it grows on the branches and trunks of trees, similar to mistletoe. It is not, however, a parasite, but digs its roots into the moss and derives its moisture from the rain. It sends forth delicate red blossoms every year at Christmastime.

Christmas Tree

In ancient cultures, the tree was worshipped as a symbol of life. The Egyptians celebrated the winter solstice by bringing date palms indoors. The wandering Jewish tribes decorated their booths with tree branches. The Druids decorated trees in honor of their gods Odin and Balder, while the Romans did the same for their Saturnalia.

The custom of a Christmas tree, undecorated, is believed to have begun in Germany, in the first half of the 700's. The earliest story relates how British monk and missionary St. Boniface was preaching a sermon on the Nativity to a tribe of Germanic Druids outside the town of Geismar. To convince the idolaters that the oak tree was not sacred and inviolate, the "Apostle of Germany" felled one on the spot. Toppling, it crushed every shrub in its path except for a small fir sapling. A chance event can lend itself to numerous interpretations, and legend has it that Boniface, attempting to win converts, interpreted the fir's survival as a miracle, concluding, "Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child." Subsequent Christmases in Germany were celebrated by planting fir saplings. Later, the medieval mystery plays included a scene representative of the Garden of Eden. A fir tree decorated with apples and candles would be used on-stage as the "Paradise Tree." When the Church suppressed such performances, the people adapted the Paradise Tree for "home-use". This was no doubt influenced by Martin Luther, who eagerly encouraged such practices.

The Christmas tree spread to America() when Hessian soldiers practiced the custom while fighting in the Revolutionary War. Later, in England, a tree was set up in Windsor Castle by Prince Albert, who brought the custom from his homeland.

The history of the modern Christmas tree goes back to 16th century Germany. In Alsace (Elsass), dated 1561, states that "no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length." The decorations hung on a tree in that time, the earliest we have evidence of, were "roses cut of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gilt,sugar." Around Strasbourg there was a widespread practice of bringing trees (evergreens, not necessarily a fir-tree)into houses for decoration during Christmastide.

The modern custom is also connected with the Paradise tree hung with apples, present in the medieval religious plays.The decorations could symbolize the Christian Hosts. Instead of trees, various wooden pyramidal structures were also used. In 17th century the Christmas tree spread through Germany and Scandinavia. Eventually the tree was extensively decorated, first with candles and candies, then with apples and confections, later with anything glittering mass-produced.

The success of Christmas tree in Protestant countries was enhanced by the legend which attributed the tradition toMartin Luther himself. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther first added lighted candles to a tree. Walkingtoward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidstevergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches withlighted candles. In England the tradition was made popular by the German Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.The German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to America in 17th century. Public outdoors Christmas trees withelectric candles were introduced in Finland in 1906, and in USA (New York) in 1912. The claim of the PennsylvaniaGermans to have initiated the Christmas tree custom in America is undisputed today. And it's in the diary of MatthewZahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree and its myriad decorations received their first mention in the New World.

It is no surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The Pilgrims' second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event."

Holly

Pagan origins: It was revered by Norsemen and the Anglo-Saxons because it remained green during winter, a sign of defiance to the cold and a symbol of life's continuity. Holly was thought to be the home of wandering spirits. It was hung in homes to assure the occupants good luck. Many myths surrounding it: supposedly wards off witches; a syrup made from it allegedly cures coughs. A sprig of holly on a bedpost assures one of pleasant dreams. The bright colors of the holly made it a natural symbol of rebirth and life in the winter whiteness of northern Europe. In late December, the Teutonic peoples traditionally placed holly and other evergreens around the interior of dwellings to ward off winter bad weather and unwanted spirits. Holly flourishes in almost every kind of soil and extreme temperatures, but does not do well in the shade. The berries are poisonous to human beings. Traditionally in England, the prickly holly is called "he"and the non-prickly "she". Which type of holly first brought into the house at Christmas determines who will rule the household for the coming year. It was believed that good spirits lived in its branches and sprigs were taken into homes for luck and prosperty and to keep away evil spirits. Christian:

The holly wreath resembles the crown of thorns placed upon Christ's head, the berries representing the blood. Legend says that holly berries were originally white but were turned red by Christ's blood, when Christ was made to wear the Crown of Thorns at his crucifixion. General: Holly trees can be found in almost every country around the world, in over three hundred different species. Holly is a familiar green shrub, usually thought if as having red berries and dark glossy green leaves with thorny tips, although there are many other varieties. From the Old English word, "holen," holly has been a favourite winter plant for thousands of years.

Holy Thorn of Glastonbury

Joseph of Arimathea is said to have brought the Gospel to England around 70 A.D. He built the first Christian church out of twigs at Glastonbury. When he put his staff into the ground on the top of Wyrralhill, it grew into this tree. Every year thereafter it would blossom on Christmas. Today, there are numerous ceremonies surrounding both the Glastonbury Thorn in its original spot in England, as well as other Hawthorn trees in the vicinity.

gardening

"There is a hawthorn in Somerset which is world famous - it is the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury. It occasionally blooms on old Christmas Day (5 January) and in earlier times this was regarded as a miracle by simple people who were used to seeing hawthorn trees burst into bloom in May. When blooms do appear at Christmas the Vicar of Glastonbury sends a flowering branch to the Queen.

Its fame began in 1535 when the chief adviser to Henry VIII sent a doctor to investigate the rumour. The existence of the tree which "blossoms at Christmas, mindful of our Lord" was confirmed, and the legend of Joseph of Arimathea sprang up. Joseph had buried Christ, and on one of his trips to the tin mines of Somerset he rested on a hill and laid down his staff. This staff had been cut from the tree which had provided the Crown of Thorns, and on this far-off Somerset hillside it took root and grew into the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury.

A lovely story, but the truth is that it is Crataegus monogyna `Praecox' which grows in Southern Europe and the Near East. It is thought to have been brought to Glastonbury Abbey by a pilgrim many centuries ago, who would not have known that the early-flowering properties of his introduction would cause such a stir." (p182)

Ivy

In ancient Rome, ivy was the badge of Bacchus, the god of feasting and drinking. Because of this pagan association, the early Christian Church would not allow ivy to be used for decoration. In the Middle Ages, people though ivy helped them to recognize witches, and it was said to be a protection against the deadly plague.

Mistletoe

Roman: During Roman times, enemy soldiers who met under the mistletoe plant would put down their arms, end their fighting, and embrace. TheRomans valued it as a symbol of peace and this lead eventually its acceptance among Christmasprops. Kissing under mistletoe was a Roman custom, too. Druidic: Sacred to ancient druids and a symbol of eternal life the same way as Christmas tree. Mistletoe Christian: Early Christians thought it was the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden. Some say the mistletoe was once a tall forest tree, but turned into a dwarf-sized shrub as a punishment for allowing itself to be utilized in the making of Christ's cross. General: In countless homes today, we use this plant as an excuse to kiss someone under an archway where mistletoe is attached. It is a parasitic plant, a member of the laurel family, which grows abundantly in Alabama, as well as many other eastern states.

Poinsettia

The most popular Christmas flower is not even a flower. Those bright red flame-like petals are actually leaves. The flower itself lies within and is composed of tiny red and gold blossoms. It is named after Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first American minister to Mexico, who took a liking to the plant in 1825. It was introduced to him by Mexicans who called it La Flor de la Noche Buena (the Flower of the Holy Night). It was brought to the United States in 1836, and was cultivated in the 1890's by Albert Ecke in California. Today, the city of Ventura, California, is called the "Poinsettia City".

In Mexican legend, a small boy knelt at the altar of his village church on Christmas Eve. He had nothing to offer the Christ Child on his birthday because he had no money, but his prayers were sincere and a miracle gave him the present that could be bought by no one; the first Flower of the Holy Night sprang up at his feet in brilliant red and green homage to the holy birth.

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and is believed to have first been used in connection with Christmas in the 17th century when Mexican Franciscans included the flowers in their Christmas celebration.

Rosemary

The flowers of this plant supposedly were once white and odorless. In honor of the Virgin Mary who threw her purple ((blue)) robe over a rosemary bush during the flight to Egypt, it changed its color to a dark lavender. Rosemary was once the most popular Christmas plant in England. Today we enjoy it as a spice at many a meal.

Yule Log

Celts and Scandinavian:originated with the Druids and early Scandinavians, To ancient tribes, fire was a symbol of the home and safety. In the cold, bleak, and dark days of deepest winter, huge fires would be lit to burn out the sins of the past year. The Scandinavians believed the sun was attached to a big wheel (HWEOL) that stops for twelve days during the winter solstice, so they lit the fire to last for the entire period. The Celts believed that the sun stood still for 12 days during the winter solstice. Our twelve days of Christmas may have started with this belief. In order for the power of light to conquer the darkness, the Druids would bless a log, the yule log, and keep it burning for 12 days.

General:The cutting, bringing in, and burning of the "Yule Log"; The English took on the custom, by burning a yule log on Christmas Eve. Much merriment, singing, and group activities surrounded the entire ritual from beginning to end, creating the "Yuletide" atmosphere that remains today, even in homes without a fireplace or yule log to burn.

superstitions: The log must be obtained by the family itself, not bought from someone else. It had to be lighted with a piece of last year's Yule log. It must burn continuously for the twelve days of Christmas. If your shadow cast by the light of the Yule log fire seemed to be headless, you would die within one year. The log's ashes could cure ailments and avert lightning.

It was considered good luck to sit on it before it was burned. It was bad luck if the fire went out quickly. After the holidays had ended, a piece of the log was saved to rekindle next year's log.keep it burning for 12 days. If the log went out, great misfortune might be brought about. Keeping a small piece to light the yule log next winter would ensure that good luck was carried on from year to year.