Welcome friends to the ABC's of Christmas.
Today's letter is ~ C.
Before I get to the letter, I would like to wish all my American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with good food and the love of family and friends. We here in Canada have already celebrated Thanksgiving in October but I am careful to give thanks every day because I have much to be thankful for.
Today's letter is ~ C.
Before I get to the letter, I would like to wish all my American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with good food and the love of family and friends. We here in Canada have already celebrated Thanksgiving in October but I am careful to give thanks every day because I have much to be thankful for.
is for Candy canes, carollers, cards, charity, Christ Child...
courtesy of the internet
There are many stories and legends about the candy cane. I will share this one today.
The Story of the Candy Cane
Once upon a time, an Indiana candymaker decided to create a new kind of candy that would witness to his Christian faith. He began with a stick of pure, white, hard candy–white to symbolize Jesus’ Virgin Birth and sinless life, and hard to symbolize the firmness of the promises of God, the Rock of our salvation.
The candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent both the precious name of Jesus and the staff used by the “Good Shepherd” to gently bring back His stray lambs. Thinking this candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker decorated it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have eternal life.
Although the candy cane is for many simply another Christmas decoration, its true meaning is still there for those who “have eyes to see and ears to hear.”
Did you know that Christmas cards first originated in ancient Rome? However the first earliest known designer of a Christmas card was Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was both the Penny Post postal service in 1840 and the industrialization of the printing industry however, that led to the popularity of sending Christmas cards. By 1846, one thousand were sold at one shilling each. Cards in unsealed envelopes could be posted for half a penny.
I like the old fashioned way of sending a lovely card to family and friends as it is much more personal. Sadly, it is fast becoming a thing of the past however, with the use of email. I don't know about you, but I enjoy receiving a lovely card in the mail. When I first got married, my Christmas card list was quite lengthy and sadly now, it is less than a dozen. There are reasons for that of course with the passing of family members and friends. How about you, do you send Christmas cards?
I like the old fashioned way of sending a lovely card to family and friends as it is much more personal. Sadly, it is fast becoming a thing of the past however, with the use of email. I don't know about you, but I enjoy receiving a lovely card in the mail. When I first got married, my Christmas card list was quite lengthy and sadly now, it is less than a dozen. There are reasons for that of course with the passing of family members and friends. How about you, do you send Christmas cards?
Although there are plenty of formal carol concerts, there is something charming about carollers singing on one's doorstep. In the name of charity and goodwill to all men, groups make their way from door to door or gather beneath a street lamp to sing. It is both a charming and romantic sight this time of year.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."
Luke 2: 11-12
Let us give thanks this season for His beautiful gift to us that first Christmas.
Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi
I still mail out Christmas cards--it's one of my favourite holiday activities--but I don't think I'll be doing it this year because of the Canada Post labour disruption.
ReplyDeleteI love the Candy Cane Chocolatey Fudge ice cream by President's Choice and hope to buy my first tub soon!
I didn't know the story behind the candy cane. Thanks for sharing this. I do send out a few Christmas Cards, like Margie, we'll have to wait and see if the strike is still on. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI always have several Nativity sets out during Christmas. Christ is the central figure of the holiday for us!
ReplyDeleteFun series!
Hello dear Sandi. I still send out CHRISTMAS Cards and love receiving them. Same thing for me about the passing of relatives and friends. I have saved my Christmas Cards since receiving them as a young married woman. Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for doing the ABCs.
ReplyDeleted from the prairie
Yes, I do still send Christmas cards, but like you, the list has shrunken over the years. Mostly because so many do not send cards to us either, and so I mainly send to those who I do not communicate with on facebook or email as much and special "old friends" and family. I usually write a letter to go with the card. I enjoy receiving letters from others as well, especially when that is the only time we hear from them all year. It is disappointing to just get a card with a signature and no note to tell us how they are doing. Yes, The Christ Child is the Reason for the Season..without Jesus there would be no Christmas at all. I love the candy cane story. And I love Christmas caroling. We used to go around on a hay wagon with our church group and stop at homes and sing. I miss that. I remember our youth group when I was a teen going caroling and the people would always welcome us in for cookies and hot chocolate. Happy Memories.
ReplyDeleteI love sending Christmas cards. The whole process of choosing and writing out the cards and envelopes. And I like nativity scenes that depict the first Christmas in Bethlehem. And I always loved the peppermint candy canes of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely posts, Sandi. I'm enjoying very much!
Brenda xox