The ABC's of Christmas ~ V

Country Christmas

It's Christmas in the country,
The mantel's trimmed with cards;
Friends and neighbours far and near
Stop in with their regards.

A cheery wreath adorns the door,
An angel tops the tree,
And coloured lights are strung about,
Twinkling merrily.

Mistletoe hangs from the door,
The children just can't wait;
Time seems to pass so slowly,
They want to celebrate.

Then when at last the day arrives,
There's magic in the air--
It's Christmas in the country,

And what a grand affair! ~ Kathy A. Schaeffer

The ABC's of Christmas - V

Welcome back to the ABC's of Christmas. The days and letters before Christmas are winding down. Are you ready for the big day? Today's letter is V.

is for...
Visions of Sugar Plums.

Christmas Eve is a time of anticipation, excitement and magic, as children drift off into dreams, hoping that come morning their stockings will be full of everything on their wish list. 

Source

This sentiment is immortalized in Clement Moore's poem, "The Night Before Christmas" when he writes, "the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."

It also echoes the story of "The Nutcracker," a family favourite, which tells of the adventure of a young girl who finds herself in a magical world that culminates in the Kingdom of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

The sugar plum fairy is a vision dancing at the Royal Opera, courtesy of the internet

She balanced on one toe on the floor and spun around in a tutu that looked as though it had been fashioned from clouds and snowflakes.~ The Nutcracker

The ballet was based upon a book, "The Nutcracker and The Mouse King" written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

A sparkling performance of The Nutcracker is performed by the Royal Ballet and other wonderful ballet companies around the world especially at this time of year.  

A few years ago, I hosted a Sugar Plum Fairy Tea and my little sugar plum fairy was the center of attention.

This is my little sugar plum fairy atop my little white Christmas tree.

Those of you who are grandparents or those who simply love little ones, will forgive me for sharing a picture of my real live little Sugar plum fairy.

My little granddaughter, Jenna-Lynn, loves ballet. Who knows, perhaps one day she will dance the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Thank you for joining me today for another letter of Christmas ABC's. Please come back on Monday for the letter W and have a joyful weekend.

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

The ABC's of Christmas - U

ABC's of Christmas ~ "U"

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar every month. ~ Harlan Miller

Welcome back to the ABC's of Christmas. Today we're doing the letter....

is for...
Under the Mistletoe, under the Christmas Tree, and It Came Upon The Midnight Clear.

Mistletoe was a plant of peace in antiquity. If enemies met by chance beneath it in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day. This is thought to be the origin of the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill. 

According to the Anglo-Saxons, kissing under the mistletoe was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. 

courtesy of the Internet

If a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. In France, the custom linked to mistletoe was reserved for New Year's Day: "Au gui l'An neuf" (Mistletoe for the New Year).

The custom for a beautifully decorated fir tree encircled by piles of presents was introduced by Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, who had both experienced the tradition as children. 

Source Internet

The origins are thought to date back to the legend of Thor, when St. Boniface cut down the sacred tree of the god, in the German town of Geismar, and replaced it with a fir tree. This practice was repeated each year and the custom evolved as part of the Christmas traditions, beginning with a tree in each town decorated with garlands and later candles, to the popular practice of today bringing a fir tree indoors and adorning it with baubles and twinkling lights. The tree is now a focus of Christmas morning as children excitedly discover what Father Christmas has delivered. {Excerpt from "An English Christmas"} 

Underneath my tree you will find a collection of dolls and teddy bears as well as a rocking horse or two which wait patiently before the gifts are placed underneath its branches. 

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear is a Christmas carol that was written by Edmund Sears, a preacher in Wayland, Massachusetts, in 1849. The melody was composed by Richard S. Willis also in 1849. A beautiful carol that we still enjoy today at Christmastime.

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven's all-gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Please join me tomorrow for the letter V.

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi