X is for Xmas
What is Christmas without Father Christmas, A Christmas Tree, gifts and of course a Snowman.
This is probably the most beautiful of all children's animated films and still moves me with its magic.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
X is for Xmas
24th December 2013
What is Christmas without Father Christmas, A Christmas Tree, gifts and of course a Snowman.
This is probably the most beautiful of all children's animated films and still moves me with its magic.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
What is Christmas without Father Christmas, A Christmas Tree, gifts and of course a Snowman.
This is probably the most beautiful of all children's animated films and still moves me with its magic.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
K is for King
11th December 2013
Can you believe this? Wolverine, looking so young and singing as a King?
K is for King
Can you believe this? Wolverine, looking so young and singing as a King?
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
J is for Jesus
10th December 2013
Christmas Day is an amalgamation of celebrations, both pagan (the turn of the Winter Solstice) and Christian. It marks, in the Christian calendar, the birth of Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, had to travel to Nazareth for a census. However, when they arrived, Mary travelling on a donkey, they could not find anywhere to stay and ended up staying the night in a barn. Jesus was born on 25th December and laid in a manger for a bed.
J is for Jesus
Christmas Day is an amalgamation of celebrations, both pagan (the turn of the Winter Solstice) and Christian. It marks, in the Christian calendar, the birth of Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, had to travel to Nazareth for a census. However, when they arrived, Mary travelling on a donkey, they could not find anywhere to stay and ended up staying the night in a barn. Jesus was born on 25th December and laid in a manger for a bed.
Monday, 9 December 2013
I is for Invitation
9th December 2013
Invitations are always exciting, especially when you are a child. What could be more exciting than an invitation to a Christmas party. A party with magical decorations, a sparkling Christmas tree, a copious table of tasty food and drinks and of course, a visit from Father Christmas, complete with his sack of gifts.
The word invitation, or to invite comes from the Latin word: invitatio (the noun) and invitare, (the verb), which means to entertain or to be pleasant to someone. Which of course is what you ought to be if you have guests.
I never knew that my Latin O level might come in useful writing Christmas blogs, one day.
It took a fair number of invitations addressed to Harry Potter before he finally managed to open his invitation to Hogwarts.
The moment when Uncle Vernon is buried under a mountain of envelopes, reminds me of my daily task of sweeping the leaves outside in my garden. But that is another story and another blog: Limey Limericks.
I is for Invitation
Invitations are always exciting, especially when you are a child. What could be more exciting than an invitation to a Christmas party. A party with magical decorations, a sparkling Christmas tree, a copious table of tasty food and drinks and of course, a visit from Father Christmas, complete with his sack of gifts.
The word invitation, or to invite comes from the Latin word: invitatio (the noun) and invitare, (the verb), which means to entertain or to be pleasant to someone. Which of course is what you ought to be if you have guests.
I never knew that my Latin O level might come in useful writing Christmas blogs, one day.
It took a fair number of invitations addressed to Harry Potter before he finally managed to open his invitation to Hogwarts.
The moment when Uncle Vernon is buried under a mountain of envelopes, reminds me of my daily task of sweeping the leaves outside in my garden. But that is another story and another blog: Limey Limericks.
Sunday, 8 December 2013
H is for Holly
8th December 2013
Holly is a plant with green prickly leaves and red berries that are common in winter. In ancient times, Druids used to wear garlands of holly on their heads.
The Romans considered holly as the sacred plant of Saturn and offered it during the Saturnalia festival.
Early Christians believed that holly warded off evil spirits and would hang it on doors to prevent witches and evil spirits from entering the house.
Holly is now considered part of Christmas and is an essential Christmas decoration.
H is for Holly
Holly is a plant with green prickly leaves and red berries that are common in winter. In ancient times, Druids used to wear garlands of holly on their heads.
The Romans considered holly as the sacred plant of Saturn and offered it during the Saturnalia festival.
Early Christians believed that holly warded off evil spirits and would hang it on doors to prevent witches and evil spirits from entering the house.
Holly is now considered part of Christmas and is an essential Christmas decoration.
There is even a traditional carol just about holly:
The Holly and the Ivy
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
Saturday, 7 December 2013
G is for Gingerbread
7th December
Gingerbread is found in Ancient Greece and Egypt and it was used in ceremonies. It was the crusaders who brought ginger to Europe in 11th Century. Only the rich could afford the spice to begin with, however as it became more affordable so gingerbread became popular.
Queen Elizabeth I created gingerbread men for her guests. They soon became common at fairs and in bakeries decorated with ribbons and icing.
The gingerbread house became popular in Germany after the publication of Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm in 19th Century. They were then taken to the US and take on many very intricate designs. They never really became fashionable in the UK.
Gingerbread can be eaten as a cake or a biscuit in England and the biscuits are popular as part of the Christmas festivities.
G is for Gingerbread
Gingerbread is found in Ancient Greece and Egypt and it was used in ceremonies. It was the crusaders who brought ginger to Europe in 11th Century. Only the rich could afford the spice to begin with, however as it became more affordable so gingerbread became popular.
Queen Elizabeth I created gingerbread men for her guests. They soon became common at fairs and in bakeries decorated with ribbons and icing.
The gingerbread house became popular in Germany after the publication of Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm in 19th Century. They were then taken to the US and take on many very intricate designs. They never really became fashionable in the UK.
Gingerbread can be eaten as a cake or a biscuit in England and the biscuits are popular as part of the Christmas festivities.
Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!
Friday, 6 December 2013
F is for Father Christmas
6th December 2013
Father Christmas is known by many names today, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Santa Claus, St Nicholas.
There are many origins to the Father Christmas we know today. St Nicholas originally came from Turkey. The legend tells us that there was a man who could not afford dowries for his three daughters, so St Nicholas gave them three bags of gold one night, just before Christmas.
Father Christmas in England finds his roots in 15th Century, when he was called Sir Christmas. He was not originally a bearer of gifts. He became popular with the Victorians, they made Christmas what it is today, and he even featured in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
His big belly, red coat, trimmed with white fur and black boots probably comes from the United States where he was given the name Santa Claus.
F is for Father Christmas
Father Christmas is known by many names today, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Santa Claus, St Nicholas.
There are many origins to the Father Christmas we know today. St Nicholas originally came from Turkey. The legend tells us that there was a man who could not afford dowries for his three daughters, so St Nicholas gave them three bags of gold one night, just before Christmas.
Father Christmas in England finds his roots in 15th Century, when he was called Sir Christmas. He was not originally a bearer of gifts. He became popular with the Victorians, they made Christmas what it is today, and he even featured in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
His big belly, red coat, trimmed with white fur and black boots probably comes from the United States where he was given the name Santa Claus.
The animated film, Father Christmas, is based on the books by Raymond Briggs. Father Christmas is a big man, with a large belly, long white heard, red suit and black boots. The story shows his grumpy side as he has to deal with all the chores in his little house and dreams about a seasonal holiday in France.
The Snowman makes a brief appearance as well. Ah such a beautiful film. I shall have to embed a copy in a later post.
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