Candy Canes are closely associated with the Christmas season but how did that come about? A common folkloric story is that in 1670, in Cologne, Germany, the choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral, wishing to quiet the children's noise at Christmas Eve service asked a local candy … Continue reading Candy Canes
Tag: Christmas

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem “Christmas Bells” written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Written during the Civil War it tells of the narrator hearing Christmas bells but despairing that “hate is strong and … Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Christmas 1972
I was recently reflecting on my most memorable Christmas at 13 years old, from a standpoint of the gifts I received, almost a half century ago now. My folks were fairly frugal and Christmas was my greatest opportunity for games/toys for the year. Mom would … Continue reading Christmas 1972
The Season of Peace For Those With Whom God is Pleased
"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And … Continue reading The Season of Peace For Those With Whom God is Pleased
Silent Night
The Christmas Carol, Silent Night, was first sung on Christmas Eve of 1818. The assistant priest at the newly established parish of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf Salzburg Austria was Joseph Mohr. Earlier in the day he had handed over to the organist Franz Gruber a poem … Continue reading Silent Night
Away in a Manger
Each year we see the familiar nativity scene during the Christmas season. It is a reminder of the "reason for the season" which is the birth of our Savior. I have fond memories as a child of being involved in my Christmas church play about … Continue reading Away in a Manger
So This Is Christmas
It is Christmas Eve. The night before we celebrate the birth of our Savior. A time when, as C S Lewis said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. … Continue reading So This Is Christmas