Light a Candle this Christmas

Hello Everyone,

In the midst of all this gloom comes brightness, a new light, which brings happiness, warmth, joy and comfort. It is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ: a time of goodwill to all men, a time to forgive and forget, and a time to give and receive. There's turkey and tinsel, sherry and mince pies, carol singers singing Silent Night, trees adorned with fairy lights; holly and ivy, mistletoe, crackers, cards, decorations, and Bing Crosby singing White Christmas.

The Church prepares for Christmas throughout Advent. Each week a candle is lit as the excitement mounts for the coming of Christ. Christians remember how Mary and Joseph made the journey to Bethlehem for a census and, while there, Mary gave birth to Jesus.The candles burn brightly in churches around the world: the flames flicker heralding the arrival of 'the light of the world'. A burning candle radiates a warm glow; it is relaxing and romantic, it dispels fear and anguish, it is a symbol of hope.

On Christmas day there will be barbecues on beaches in sunny Australia and different traditions upheld around the world. Here in Britain there may well be a blanket of white snow with robin redbreasts chirping in gardens making nature look like the traditional Christmas card scene. In homes families will drink mulled wine and celebrate by a log fire or more probably a plasma television screen! Friends and relatives will call round with the season's greetings.

It always seems like everyone is celebrating and enjoying the festive season. It is easy to forget the poor, the homeless, starving, sick, suffering and war torn areas of the world. It is easy to forget that many arguments occur at Christmas time causing separations and that some families have lost loved ones and are in mourning and feeling sorrow, not happiness.

Light a candle for the loved ones no longer with you because they have made that final journey home.

Light a candle to celebrate the coming of Christ.

Light a candle for the homeless.

Light a candle for the sick.

Light a candle for the starving.

Light a candle for the soldiers away from their families fighting for our freedom.

Light a candle to welcome people.

Light a candle to bring a warm glow into your home.

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Love to you all,

Lady Mxxxxxx
xxxxxx

The Christmas Tree

Howde folks!

Sofia and Donald still here. Do you like the pic? I found it in Lady M's album. It was her tree a few years ago but I like the toys around it. They are the 'comfort' toys which Miranda bought for my children, Sophie and Donny. My darling children are in their late teens now and living in Australia but they took those toys with them and look at them every day. You may remember that I told them to burn a candle when they wanted to talk with me after my untimely demise. They still do that and Dad and I keep an eye on them.  Oh yes, I knew I was going to die early in life and you can read all about how in Look After Each Other.

Anyway,  Christmas is only ten days away now. Have you decorated your tree yet? This week Donald and I thought we would enlighten you as to the custom regarding the Christmas tree.

In the 8th century St Boniface was sent from England to Germany to preach about Jesus. On a frosty December evening he was walking in some woods when he came across a group of people about to make an offering of a little boy to a pagan god. The meeting was under a large oak tree. St Boniface rescued the boy and felled the tree. When it fell to the ground it left a small fir tree behind growing between its roots. St Boniface declared the fir tree to be their holy emblem because its leaves were evergreen and a sign of eternal life. Further, it pointed toward Heaven, henceforth, it would be called the tree of the Christ-Child.

The modern Christmas tree originated in Western Germany. Traditionally, it should not be decorated until Christmas Eve. However, in the 20th century the Christmas tree, like so many things, became more of a commercialism than a custom. It is now worldwide common practice to see decorated Christmas trees in stores, public places and homes from as early as October.

Traditional decorations were candles! Yes, really! It makes you wonder how many trees ended up as fires in the home. Along with the candles were ornaments, garlands and tinsel. An angel or star would be placed on the top point looking toward Heaven. The angel symbolising the host of angels and the star representative of the star of Bethlehem and the Nativity. Gifts are placed under the tree.

Only 9 more shopping days to buy those gifts.  Don't panic! In 11 days it will all be over!

Until next week be happy and try and stay sober through all the celebrating before the big day.

Love you all, Sofia and Donald xxxx