Saying "Merry Christmas"

A controversy arose in the early 2000's over whether to say "Merry Christmas" or change it to "Season's greetings," or "Happy holidays" to keep from offending people of other religions. I have traveled to around 40 other countries and been exposed to different religions. I have never found someone in a Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist country who objected to saying "Merry Christmas." For the most part, they seem much more tolerant than many Americans.

In India, I sat down at the table of a Hindu family for dinner. The father told me it was fine to go ahead and say grace, if that was my custom. I listened to a Hindu priest say that he had no trouble believing in Jesus and his miracles. Of course, he believed in a multitude of Hindu gods also. It didn't offend me when one of my Muslim students in the Philippines celebrated Ramadan, and she even attended Christian chapel programs every Friday, so she could go to the best private school in Davao City.

I find it interesting that in a recent poll (2013), the states west of the Mississippi often didn't have a problem with saying "Merry Christmas," while more people in the East were very outspoken against it. One article thought the reason is that the largest percentage of Christians reside in the East, and therefore a faith-based Christian message was presented more often. Those who opposed Christianity (not usually those of other religions, unless you count atheism as a religion) want to change this.

I find the whole controversy sad. It boggles my mind that people want to take the mention of Christ from Christmas. Isn't He the whole reason for the holiday in the first place? I also find it amusing that the word "holiday" is a shortened form of "holy day," so "Happy holidays" is still religious, isn't it?

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The Christmas Pickle 

Legend says that in an old tradition from Germany parents hung a pickle on the Christmas tree where it couldn't easily be seen after their children had gone to bed on Christmas Eve. The first child to spot the pickle on Christmas Day would receive a special blessing or extra gift.

However, many refute the story, because most Germans know nothing about it today. I know I hadn't heard of it before, and at least one of my ancestors was German. It seems, either the practice is so old that it's long been lost and forgotten, or it's a hoax. There's also various other stories on the origins of the Christmas pickle.

Skeptics say that the story was invented as a marketing ploy by Woolworth stores after they'd ordered a shipment of glass ornaments from Germany in the shape of vegetables around 1880. Even after they quit ordering the ornaments from Germany, they continued to order them from France and encouraged the story. Yet, there doesn't appear to be enough hard evidence to indicate this is the real reason for the legend. 

There's also other stories about Die Weihnachtsgurke or the Christmas pickle. Some link it to a Bavarian prisoner in Andersonville prison during the Civil War. Others say it comes from either the Middle Ages or the Victorian Era and involves two Spanish boys. The truth is that no one knows for sure where the custom originated, but some families still have fun with it. Pickle ornaments can still be purchased today, especially at places like Berrien Springs, Michigan, the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World. I found one at a dollar store.

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An Almost Christmas Birthday

When people find out that my birthday is on December 22, they usually offer their condolences. They make comments like, "Your birthday must have got lost in Christmas," "I bet it seemed as if you never had much of a birthday with Christmas so near," or "How awful for you to get birthday and Christmas presents so close together." 

However, I never minded it. In fact, there were several things I liked about having a birthday a couple of days before Christmas. I was always so excited about Christmas, and, by my birthday, presents were wrapped and under the tree. With my eager anticipation, it was hard to wait, but I always got to open at least one present early - my birthday present. In addition, in 55 years, I never had to go to school on my birthday. (I was a teacher, so I had a long school career.)

When I was born, my father hadn't been home from the military long, and money was tight. I don't think my parents had much for Christmas that year. I was their Christmas present, and Mama always said that I was her best Christmas present ever. Even with it coming so close to Christmas, my parents always managed to made my birthday seem special.

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Boughs of Holly

 There are around 500 different species of holly, and fossils show us it's a very ancient plant. Most varieties are found in subtropical, tropical, or temperate climate zones throughout the world. However, the greatest diversity is found in America and Southeast Asia.

The Druids believed the leaves warded off evil spirits, and they often wore a sprig in their hair. However, Christians can also find symbolism in the plant. The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns Jesus had to wear, and the bright red berries symbolize the blood he shed as the ultimate sacrifice.

The fact that the holly is an evergreen that maintains its colors throughout the holiday season, has made it popular as a Christmas decoration. Not only do we see wreaths, Christmas trees, and mantle decorations of holly, but it also graces Christmas cards and other holiday illustrations. It's a cheerful decoration that usually brings a smile, so bring on the holly.

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The Wise Men

The second chapter of Matthew is the only biblical account of the wise men or magi, who came to visit Jesus. They had seen the strange star in the eastern sky and had come to investigate. The journey must have been a long one. Just who were these men who had come from the east? 

Although the Bible doesn't name the foreign visitors, legend and tradition give their names as Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Neither does the Bible tell us how many came, but, because the plural is used, we know there was more than one. We get the idea there were three, because they brought three gifts: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These were gifts commonly given at the birth of a king.

These men were apparently of noble birth, well-educated, wealthy, and probably influential. Because of how they handled Herod, we can assume they were upright men of integrity. They had likely studied the Hebrew Scriptures and knew of the expected Messiah.

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel... (Numbers 24:17).

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

From Daniel, they may have surmised that the time for the Messiah was near. (See Daniel 9:25-26.) For whatever reasons, they decided to go and search for this Messiah, and the guiding star led them. People today would be wise to search for Him, too. The saying is so true. "Wise men still seek Him." If you don't know Him, look for Him today, and, if you do, share Him with someone else.

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A Cleared for Planting Christmas

In my first historical novel, Cleared for Planting, Edgar has been working at his uncle's grist mill, but he's supposed to be home for good by Christmas. Edgar's father goes to the Cagles' cabin to invite them to come to a Christmas party to celebrate Edgar's homecoming. Here's a snippet from the book:

"Edgar is due home sometime Friday," Mr. Moretz said. "The missus wants to give him a welcome-home Christmas party on Saturday, it being Christmas Eve and all. You’re the only others we’re inviting.”

“I don’t know,” Papa said thoughtfully. “Maybe we ought to stay here to protect our place, if the Cherokee are prowling around.”

“The weather’s also too unpredictable this time of year,” Uncle Roy added.

“The women are welcome to go, though,” Papa said.

Was Papa wanting a chance to do some partying of his own? The holidays were always the times he seemed to want his drink in the worst way.

“The girls can go,” Mama said, “but I’d rather stay here.”

Mama must be thinking along the same lines as Emma. Emma wanted to attend the party in the worst way. She should be at Edgar’s welcome-home party, but she’d worry about Mama.

“I can come get them,” Mr. Moretz offered.

“I don’t want you to have to come again so soon, just to turn around and go back,” Emma told him. “I can drive Christie and me in the wagon.”

“I don’t think that would be safe.”

“I’ll bring them up and come back and get them,” Uncle Roy said, and Emma could have hugged his neck. Apparently the un­predictability of the weather had just been an excuse.

 “Unless you have special plans for Christmas, why don’t you let them stay through Christmas, and Edgar or I will bring them back Monday?” Mr. Moretz asked.

“No special plans,” Papa said. “It’s just another day to me.”

Papa almost sounded angry. Emma could see he didn’t like the way things were working out.

“Well, it’s settled then,” Mr. Moretz took control, probably for Emma’s sake. “Roy, you can bring them up anytime Saturday, and we’ll get them home Monday.” He looked at Mama. “You know we’ll take good care of them, so don’t worry.” 

“Thank you,” Emma whispered to him, as she opened the door.

The Moretzes are of German decent, and Emma and Christie see their first Christmas tree. In fact, they get to open presents on Christmas Day for the first time ever. Their father didn't like to celebrate Christmas. 

If you haven't already, you may want to read the book to see how it all turns out. It and the second book, Sown in Dark Soil, also make great Christmas presents. (Remember all my profits go to  a sholarship fund for missionary children.) In any case, have a very merry Christmas and happy reading!

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Christmas Cards

First commercially produced Christmas card - 1843

Christmas cards may be newer than you'd guess. Although I've found mention of a large amount of Christmas cards sent out by wealthy families in colonial times, research shows that the first Christmas card came in London in 1843. They were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and illustrated by John Callcott Horseley. 2,050 cards were made in two printings and sold for a shilling each. Cole had helped introduce the penny post in 1840, and he hoped the Christmas cards would encourage its use.

1950's Christmas card

Christmas cards began selling in America in 1874. By 1880, one card manufacturer was producing over five million cards a year. Through most of the 1900's, production and sales continued to climb. However, toward the end of the century and into the 21st, the popularity of cards started to decline. Even with this decline, about 1.9 billion Christmas cards were sent in 2005.

WW II Christmas card

Today, however, most people have quit sending Christmas cards. Are you one of them? I'm sure, you, like me, have probably seen a big slow down in the number of Christmas cards you receive, especially through the regular mail. Yet, there are those who collect Christmas cards, and some of their collections are huge and worth a lot of money, especially if they include some of the older or rare cards. Queen Mary was a collector, and her collection is housed in the British Museum. I have plans to clean out the attic at my mother's house this summer, and I wouldn't be surprised to find her cards from the 40's on. It will be like a treasure hunt.

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