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Xmas Fun (Christmas songs and lyrics) www.xmasfun.com/Lyrics.asp
An Ode to the Traditions of Christmas
By Paula Batiste
Adapted from "Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas"
By Ace Collins
Topics Covered:
Advent -- Angels -- Birthday Cake -- Candy Cane -- Caroling -- Christmas Cards
Christmas Tree -- Gift Giving -- Mistletoe -- Santa Claus -- Stockings
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ADVENT (back to top)
Advent, or the coming, established by church leaders in the sixth century
Was a time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas as new believers for baptism prepare spiritually.
Beginning on the Sunday nearest November 30th and running until Christmas Eve,
It was a time of personal growth and retrospection for those who upon Jesus do believe.
Today, 1400 years after the first Advent season,
Families use wreaths, candles and calendars to teach young minds and touch young heats as they seek to understand its reason.
Three different meanings in the early days of Advent were to be found,
But as time changed the world sought new meanings yet just as biblically sound.
The coming of God to earth as a babe in the manger, as Savior and His future coming as Ruler and king was Advent’s emphasis prior to World War II,
But as it evolved into a holiday for children, the tenderness and love presented in the first Christmas was the focus Advent began to turn to.
The light that Jesus brought to the world along with the promise of everlasting life, to New believers a great deal meant;
And so out of this faith was created the wreath of Advent.
Branches from hearty and strong fir trees did the Adventers take,
Symbolizing the victory of life over death into wheel like decorations those branches they Did shape.
Candles upon the wreath they did place,
Representing the light that the Christ’s birth brought into the world’s dark space.
Though the number of candles used and why, over the years seem to change;
The meaning of their flame has managed to remain universally the same.
It represents what many Christians believe to be Christmas’ most precious gifts of all;
Hope, peace, love and new life for those who heed salvation’s call.
The newest tradition, the Advent calendar, is the most commonly used today to mark the coming of the great event;
With heightened senses and emotions the focus is on the wonder of God’s love expressed In the Son sent.
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ANGELS (back to top)
Angels, of Christmas, are an important part;
For it was angels who heralded the birth of Christ, a message that brought joy to the
human heart.
It was the angels who to Joseph, Mary and the shepherds did their missions in God’s plan
explain;
And it will be the angel’s trump we’ll hear when the Christ returns for His kingdom to
reclaim.
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BIRTHDAY CAKE (back to top)
The practice of a birthday cake for Jesus is thought in Germany to have begun;
Traditionally, after the story of Jesus had been heard, children carefully cut into slices of
cake to find hidden treasure of treats that were fun.
White, representing the purity of Jesus was the cake’s traditional color;
If any icing applied at all it was red signifying the blood of Christ which the sins of men
it did cover.
The rising of the cake, Christ’s resurrection did represent;
The single candle atop the cake, the light Christ brought to the world would never be
extinguished is what it meant.
The candle’s light also represents the star followed by the men called wise;
And the cake’s sweet taste symbolized the wonderful life that awaited those who
welcomed Christ into their lives.
Baking a cake for Jesus gave adults a chance to fully explain to children the holiday’s real
reason;
Singing happy birthday Jesus brought the baby in the manger to life and clearly place Him at the Center of the holiday season.
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CANDY CANE (back to top)
The candy cane as a teaching took was believed to be a German choirmaster’s inspiration;
For the Christmas Eve service he was determined to keep the children quiet for the duration.
So with a confectioner this plan he did hatch;
To plain white sticks of candy, a crook at the top was added to the batch.
The candy’s pure white color, the sinless life of Christ did symbolize;
The crook as a way for children the story of the shepherds who came to visit Jesus to memorize.
Another legend of the candy cane to Oliver Cromwell’s rule in England is credited;
During this time when Christmas celebrations were banned, a Christian code or signal was created.
White canes were decorated with three tiny stripes of red;
Representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To this a bold think red stripe another candy maker did add;
To represent the redemptive power of Christ’s shed blood for which we are glad.
This hard candy once a teaching tool, as decoration many homes now does adorn;
Is a sweet holiday tradition portraying the meaning of why Jesus the Christ was born.
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CAROLING (back to top)
In 1223 St. Francis of Assisi, the tradition of caroling did start;
Learning songs in their own language the children sang as with one enthusiastic heart.
Singing outside on a cold December eve;
These children were the first true Christmas carolers or so it is believed.
The songs St. Francis wrote became so popular that throughout Europe they did swell;
Soon France, Spain and Germany their own carols added as well.
Borrowing existing melodies from popular folk songs they breathed into them new life;
Musicians came up with Christmas songs the people easily learned without much strife.
Minstrels during the month of December did sing carols on their travels fair;
Thus these troubadours moving from stop to stop had people merrily singing Christmas
Music everywhere.
In the sixteenth century when Martin Luther this tradition of Christmas carols did embrace;
German carols of the period were better written and more spiritually based.
Then came George Frideric Handel of "Messiah" fame;
Along with Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber, the author of "Silent Night" setting the heart of
the clergy aflame.
Then England’s royal family got involved in the act;
Within a few short years, Christmas caroling spread all across Britain taking Europe by storm as
a matter of fact.
This music once distrusted by the church was now embraced by almost every established
denomination;
And in the United States, churches by the thousands were using carolers to reach the unchurched,
the sick, the disabled all across the nation.
The music of the carolers did much to make Christmas come alive;
Even through periods of the world’s many wars the message of hope of the season through carols continued to thrive.
Caroling still goes on to this very day;
Singing songs about the birth of the Savior touches souls, and therefore is here to stay.
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CHRISTMAS CARDS (back to top)
Though a modern Christmas without Christmas cards hard to imagine it may be;
The practice did not come upon the scene until 1843.
Sir Henry Cole of England needed a quick and easy way his friends and associates holiday
greetings to answer;
So with John Calcott Horsley as his illustrator, the concept of Christmas cards was born and soon spread like cancer.
After the Civil War ended in American the nation united and good times returned;
Louis prang of Massachusetts printed colorful holiday greeting cards for which both Englanders
and Americans yearned.
In an effort to increase his well of ideas;
Prang launched a holiday art contest among his artist peers.
In his search for new illustrations Prang created quite a frenzy;
The increased popularity of Christmas cards resulted in an American vs. England card
production rivalry.
Thomas Nast a famed illustrator for "Harper’s Weekly" gave Christmas cards a real New World
touch;
It was he who created the look of Santa Claus by the stroke of his brush.
Using Clement Clarke Moore’s poem as the source of his inspiration;
Drawings of Santa on rooftops for Christmas cards was now the new sensation.
Not until the twentieth century did printers religious images on cards produce;
Using angels, shepherds, the nativity, churches, children in prayer, carolers singing, the real
meaning of Christmas they sought to reintroduce.
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CHRISTMAS TREE (back to top)
The universal acceptance of the Christmas Tree as a holiday essential occurred only two
centuries ago;
Yet the roots of bringing an evergreen into one’s home during the darkest days of Christmas can
Be traced back more than one thousand years you know.
To many the Christmas tree is more than a mere decoration;
It is a vibrant part of the spiritual essence of the season’s celebration.
Many think of the evergreen as a symbol of life everlasting;
The tree the even winter cannot kill symbolizes the eternal life offered by Christ to those who
Accept His sacrificial blessing.
Significance is found even in the triangular shape of the evergreen tree;
For many believe its three points represent the Holy Trinity.
Martin Luther, legend has it, is responsible for the concept of a tree with lights;
Thus lifting the use of the Christmas tree to grand and lofty heights.
Thought Luther, the evergreen’s color like God’s love no matter the trial or circumstance does
not fade;
The lights, the hope that Christ brought to the world through his birth and resurrection is the
meaning, or so he said.
The Christmas tree, from pagan cultures, the most endearing of all the holiday traditions it has
become;
It is found in stores, in churches, on streets, in yards, in schools, in businesses and in the homes
of most everyone.
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GIFT GIVING (back to top)
To the three gifts the Magi gave Jesus do most people trace the practice of giving gifts on Christmas day;
Yet even before Christ was born, during the winter-solstice holidays people traded presents
believing through their generosity, good fortune would they bring into their lives to stay.
In the fourth century when the day to remember Christ’s birth was designated as December 25th;
We find the legend of St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra, is the next link in the chain of the Christmas gift.
During his life this priest rode across Asia Minor, so says the local lore;
Bestowing gifts a plenty upon the children poor.
While giving gifts to children was a noble gesture indeed;
European rulers turned the Scriptures around and used them to fulfill their selfish desires and greed.
Using the story of the Magi’s gifts as rational for their demands;
A host of kings and queens in Europe wrote laws requiring Christmas tributes from their subjects
all across the lands.
Not until the tenth century did this practice in Europe begin to disappear;
A Bohemian duke remembered as King Wenceslas roamed his kingdom on the holidays
distributing firewood, food and clothing to those in need both far and near.
Germans onto the example of St. Nicholas and King Wenceslas did quickly latch;
However for their gift giving a new twist they did attach.
Christmas gifts should be given anonymously many of them did believe;
So friends and loved ones secretly their Christmas gifts did receive.
The Dutch took this Christmas tradition a step further;
They hid the gifts and left clues for the recipients their gifts to discover.
It is to the Danes that we owe the tradition of wrapping the Christmas gift;
This new gesture to the recipient’s spirit seemed to give a lift.
Their unique tradition involved placing a small wrapped box into a larger one and continue to
wrap and rewrap until the present was huge thus turning gift giving into a game;
The gift changed hands many times before it was fully unwrapped by its intended recipient
for on each layer was written a different name.
The tradition of gift giving to England or the New World had not yet spread;
For the belief of the Puritans was gifts were not to be given to family nor each other, but only to Jesus instead.
However, New Year’s gifts were common in the United States and England, especially among the upper class;
But it was not until the 1820’s that the tradition of Christmas gift giving arrived upon the scene at last.
It was Clement Clarke Moore’s poem "The Night Before Christmas" that was the stimulus that did the trick;
Suddenly children saw in writing that presents were to arrive on Christmas Eve from jolly old St. Nick.
Charles Dicken’s "A Christmas Carol" gave more validity to this gift giving concept;
So in the years after the Civil War, America its status as the center of the Christmas gift universe it had to accept.
While many think Christmas gift giving is rank commercialism and the cause of a great deal of stress;
If put into the proper perspective, presents can open the door to teaching about the real meaning of the holidays
and our Lord’s goodness.
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MISTLETOE (back to top)
It might seem strange to many people that mistletoe has the unique role of a holiday Matchmaker each Christmas season;
Yet this waxy green-leafed plant has been tacked over doorways all around the world in the month of December not just for a stolen kiss but for many another reason.
The strange though true story of the plant’s beginning is seen as a radiant sign of God’s power to bring life from death, to create from something ugly and useless a thing of robust beauty;
For its name which means dung twig implies the plant sprang to life from bird droppings on
tree branches, it’s a fact, truly!
In ancient times mistletoe was viewed with awe, a miracle plant it was considered to be;
For during the harshest days of winter’s fury this small flowering plant offered beauty and color,
life and hope, wonder and mystery.
Even before the time of Christ, early Greeks and Celts believed mistletoe was sacred;
For a new plant brought forth out of winter’s deadwood only by the powerful touch of God could
be created.
Many people of many different faiths believed mistletoe was a noble gift representing life, hope
and security;
Many Christians even believed to the understanding of God and His purpose for humankind
mistletoe did hold the key.
They claimed that if you understood how mistletoe survived, and thrived each winter and how it
spread and grew;
Then you would understand the Lord and your relationship with Him too!
Strange, isn’t it, that this plant that literally sucks life out of another living organism, this mere
parasite;
Could inspire awe at such amazing heights.
This beautiful flowering plant flourishes at a time when all other living creatures for life must
fight;
Nearly impossible to eradicate; it grown uncontrollably, everywhere, so it’s little wonder that
ancient civilizations were mystified at its sight.
Scandinavian warriors their fierce battles would cease;
Should they by chance discover they or the opposing soldiers were under mistletoe growing in
the trees.
To continue a war beneath the plant given by God as a sign of life would Him dishonor and
displease;
Thus mistletoe became not simply a symbol of, but a sight that demanded peace.
In addition to its role as peacemaker, mistletoe took on the roe of protector as well;
The plant was nailed or tied over the doors of homes and barns to ward off the enemies of
those who inside did dwell.
By the Middle Ages to cure illness and to protect against evil spirits, mistletoe was employed;
The plant was credited with treating epilepsy, palsy, tuberculosis, stroke, and many other
ailments by which annoyed.
It was the belief in its life restorative powers that caused the plant to become a symbol of love;
So when a couple passed under it they stopped and kissed believing they received a blessing
from God above.
Not until 1843 did Christians adopt mistletoe as a Christmas symbol;
Recognizing the beauty and steadfastness of the plant to God’s promise of everlasting life to
a barren and hopeless world it did resemble.
Like the mistletoe, the beauty and power of the Son of God would go on eternally;
For powerful leaders, Christ’s influence and message could not halt, not even by nailing Him to
a tree.
Thus for the Christian, the plant became a symbol of life after death;
And represented a faith so strong it grew in the midst of darkness and was proclaimed with every breath.
Like mistletoe, true faith and God’s love even the most barbarous time could survive;
And personal peace was experienced by all who believe Jesus the Savior is alive.
For hundred of years people of faith who under the mistletoe did kiss;
Not only their love for each other did they vow to keep strong but their love for the Lord
vowed they never to dismiss.
Today mistletoe’s Christian message of peace, faith and hope has largely been lost;
Yet in a world that often embraces Christmas without its real meaning maybe people
should reclaim mistletoe as the symbol of sustaining faith, hope and love at great cost.
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SANTA CLAUS (back to top)
Many Christians because they have a problem with Santa Claus, from their Christmas
celebration him they do delete;
For they view the jolly old elf as against Jesus for the season’s focus to compete.
Yet the legend of Santa Claus, at lease partially, is based on Christian principles and the
example of Christian men;
And Santa’s unselfish giving, loving nature and devotion to duty are qualities that should
be adopted by everyone who by Jesus has been delivered from the wages of sin.
That there is nothing theological about Santa is quite true;
But there is a great deal that make him the perfect secular companion for the holy day that’s
celebrated not only by Christians but by non-Christians too!
Moore’s poem, "The Night Before Christmas" of Santa into an instant American Christmas
Institution did hurl;
And since then, there is little doubt that Santa is one of the most recognizable images in the
entire world.
While the appearance of Santa Claus was invented by the hand of man;
The heart and spirit of Santa were inspired by love and generosity of Christians such as
St. Nicholas and Wenceslas, qualities which natural man cannot produce, no, only God can.
Each gift that the man in the red suit gives is a living testament to the men who gave because
They felt called by God to reach out to those around them in need;
Thus Santa is the living embodiment of the wonderful children’s hymn, "Jesus Loves the Little
Children," for like Jesus, Santa loves them all in a very real sense in deed.
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STOCKINGS (back to top)
Hanging stockings is actually one of the oldest traditions of Christmas;
Yet it was originally done as tribute to a priest and not as a part of the celebration of the
birth of Christ among us.
The legend of the stocking out of a mundane but necessary nightly ritual was bred;
The poor usually having only one pair of socks or stockings washed them nightly and next to
the fire they would hang them and then go to bed.
Well as the story goes, a poor widower with three teenaged daughters lived a life of abject
poverty;
So to help two, he decided to sell one, though very reluctantly.
When the time came the father found himself unable to close the deal;
Now what would he do; to whom for help could he appeal?
Hungry, tired and depressed, the man prayed to God for help that night;
Meanwhile, a priest named Nicholas who ministered to the poor heard of this dear man’s
plight.
As was their custom, the girls each washed their one pair of stockings and hung them by the fire to dry before going off to sleep;
Sometime after midnight someone opened a window and tossed a gold piece into one of the stockings without making a sound, not even a peep.
The next day the oldest daughter discovered the coin as she got dressed;
She took it to her father who looking to heaven thanked God for the miracle with which they
had been blessed.
The remarkable event was repeated again for the second and third daughters as well;
Since priest Nicholas had been in town each time money was found, on him the credit fell.
The generosity of this clergyman motivated others of this magical experience to become a part;
So throughout the land men, women, and children began searching their stockings wishing for
gifts with all their heart.
They look especially hart whenever Nicholas happened to pass their way;
And in tribute to this beloved priest they proclaimed the December date of his death,
St. Nicholas’ Day.
Thus because of the story of the father and his three daughters, stockings were hung on
St Nicholas Eve;
The extent to which this action would affect Christmas traditions, no one could perceive.
The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholar" or "The Night Before Christmas" as it is most commonly
known, written by a bishop of the Episcopal church and seminary professor named
Clement Clark Moore;
Did with simple stroke of a pen have children all over the world on Christmas Eve hanging
up stockings galore.
Soon children sensed the size of their foot had a direct bearing on the gift the old man from the North Pole could leave in the space;
So they began to hang larger and larger socks by the fireplace.
With the invention of electricity and the toy trains that followed, into a simple sock no longer
fit a child’s Christmas dreams;
But the stockings still hung year after year even though the items to put in them Santa no longer
brings.
Today instead of gifts, stockings are often filled with money and candy;
Many find using oranges as a symbol of gold, walnuts for good luck and an apple for health still
comes in pretty handy.
Empty or filled, stockings, a vital part of the Christmas season does still remain;
Their message that Christmas is a time of giving to not just friends and family, but to the
suffering, poor and hopeless must continue to be made plain.
Empty stockings hung at home or unsold stockings in stores should remind everyone that for
others who have not been materially blessed to make the season bright;
Yes, Nicholas’ example of responding to those in need by the tradition of the Christmas
Stocking is spread far and wide with great delight.
This ode to Christmas traditions has not all of them discussed;
It omits Christmas Seals, Christmas Colors, Decorations, Ornaments, the Epiphany, Holly,
Christmas movies, Nativity scenes, Christmas Pageants, the Nutcracker Ballet, Poinsettias,
The Twelve days of Christmas, Xmas, Yule logs and such.
If you would like into the history and meaning of these traditions to also take a look;
Then I recommend you read "Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas," an Ace
Collins’ book.
It is my hope that what you have heart thus far will this Christmas to you be of some assistance;
Giving a clearer understanding of the things we do and why, as we all seek to keep our focus on
Jesus the reason for the season’s existence.