Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004
Annual Christmas music program in sanctuary


The Hanging
of the
Greens
Auburn United Methodist Church
Nov. 28, 2004




 


 
 




Holiday greetings
from my house
to your house


 

Christmas quilt by Mrs. Carol Yeargan, Evergreen, Ala.
Conecuh County
 



The History of


The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.
Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.
The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side.
To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king.
The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey.
Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun.
In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return.
The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea
festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.
The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits).
The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.
"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.
But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of
pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this
kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the
celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.
Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.
The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.                                                                                                   


The Christmas Story
Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in that 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 fear.
And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her
heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for   so it is written by the prophet:  `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the   rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people   Israel'."
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and
he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

 

 


Holiday recipes
 

Crock Pot Candy

16 ounces peanuts

1 bar German chocolate

1 12-ounce package chocolate chips

2 packages vanilla almond bark

3 teaspoons vanilla

Put everything in crock pot except flavoring. Cook one hour on low. Stir and cook another hour.  I increased the temperature a little for the last hour. Add flavoring and stir well. Drop on waxed paper by spoonfuls and let cool to store.  I left crock pot plugged in until I finished dropping candy, so it would not harden before I finished.  This is so easy and makes bushels.

-- Susan Williams Chapman

Monroeville

Monroe County, Ala.




Cherry Coffeecake 
 
1 egg
Milk
1 stick margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 - 21 oz. cans cherry pie filling
 
TOPPING
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 stick margarine
1 cup chopped nuts
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place egg in measuring cup and add enough milk to make one cup.  Mix dry ingredients with margarine (don't use electric mixer), then mix all with milk mixture.  Pour into 9-by-13 glass pan (by using glass you don't have to grease the pan).  On top of batter, pour cherry pie filling, spread it to over the first layer.  For topping, mix flour, sugar and margarine until crumbly.  Add nuts.  Spread crumbs over top of cherries and bake 40 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve warm or cold.  


Susan Delenne
Hayden, Alabama
Blount County

This won first place at the Blount County Fair in 2002.  Best served warm.  My husband, Fred, and I love it.
 


Frozen Salad

2 cups whipping cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons lemon juice

8 ounces cream cheese

Large jar of cherries

Large can of sliced pineapple

1 cup pecans

3 bananas chopped

Sweeten to taste

Whip cream and set aside. Mix cream cheese, mayo, lemon juice, and sugar. Drain fruit and cut pineapple slices.  Mix fruit and nuts in cream cheese mixture and add to whipped cream. Taste and add sugar as needed. Wish I could tell you how much, but do this by taste. I pour this into two square Tupperware containers and freeze. It will keep for months.  Have found that pineapple chunks or tidbits do not work as well as using sliced pineapple and cutting it.

-- Eugenia Ellis Brown

Brownville community

Conecuh County, Ala.


Maxine's Trash

1 pound box Cheesits

1 pound package oyster crackers

1 box herb croutons

1 double package dry Ranch dressing

1 heaping tablespoon dill weed

1 tablespoon lemon pepper

1 tablespoon garlic salt

Dump all crackers in large mixing bowl, pour enough oil over them so that dry seasonings will stick.

Mix real well.

Bake 225 degrees to 250 degrees in oven, stirring often.

I add stick pretzels and lots and lots of nuts (no cereal).  Store in tight container.

-- Maxine Darby Steindorff

Greenville

Butler County, Ala.


Texas Caviar

2 packages cream cheese

2 cans Rotel (drain)

1 can chopped black olives

1 small jar pimento (do not drain)

1 package dry Ranch dressing mix

Chopped onion, (green or white)

You can put as much onion as you like.  Mix all together in a bowl.

I got this recipe from my cousin.  Everybody says this is delicious!  I serve it with taco chips.  Was served at 30th birthday celebration of Keeley Streetman, The Auburn Plainsman, on Dec. 4, 2002.

--Brandy Fowler, Auburn University student

Winfield, Ala.

Marion County

APPLE DIP

2- 8 oz. cream cheese

1 1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 package Heath O' Brickle

 (found by the chocolate chips)

Directions: Soften cream cheese.  Mix light brown sugar, sugar and vanilla

together, mix well, then add the Heath O' Brickle.  Soak sliced apples in

pineapple juice to keep from turning.  (The number of apples to be used

depends upon the number of people you plan to serve).

Recipe from:  Barbara Fowler, Brandy' s mom

    I told my mom about your Christmas Web site!  She thought it was

wonderful.  She gave me a recipe to give to you in hopes that you may want to

include it on your page also.  She took it to a Christmas party at church--it

is WONDERFUL!!!

 
 
 

The Story of Christmas

and the Christ Child
 When Rome was a great Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and Israel was governed by King Herod, in the village of Nazareth lived Joseph and Mary. Joseph
was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin who would become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which she was visited by an angel who told her she had been chosen to bear the Son of God and his name was to be Jesus.
    One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary who was with child, and close to the birth, rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They traveled for many days and only
rested at night.
    When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to rest but there were no empty rooms when they reached the inn. As they were being turned away Joseph mentioned his wife was with child and close to birth. The inn keeper took pity on them and told them of some caves in the nearby hills that shepherds would stay with their cows and sheep.
    So Joseph and Mary went up into the hills and found the caves. In one cave
was a stable room. Joseph cleaned it and made beds of fresh hay. He found a feeding trough which he cleaned and filled with hay to use as a crib. The next night Mary gave birth to a son and they named him Jesus, as the angel had said.
    When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepards were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.
"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to
God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."
After the angels departed the shepards set out for Bethlehem. When they reached the cave they found the stable and inside was the child wrapped in swaddling clothes.
As the star shined over Bethlehem, in the east three kings would see it. They knew it was a sign and they set off to follow the star. There was Caspar - the young King of Tarsus, Melchior - a long bearded old man and leader of Arabia, and
Balthazar - the king from Ethiopia. They traveled on camels for many days over the
mountains, and through the deserts, and plains. Always following the bright star.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem they found the child in the manger. The three kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They would stay the night in the cave and the next day returned to their lands to spread the news.


One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth ? His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
This essay was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis in “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons” © 1926 bythe Judson Press of Philadelphia (pp 123-124 titled “Arise Sir Knight!”). If you are interested, you can read the
original version, Graham Pocket.


 
 

A Christmas Prayer

You'll find no glitter on this Christmas page. 

Children singing,
simple graphics
and simple photographs
with a simple message.

May you be blessed this Christmas season
 with peace and joy.

May you feel His deep love and enjoy this season,
And tell all whom you meet that His love is the reason.
Grant that each visitor to this page may reflect on Your goodness.
Rid each heart of fear and distress, loneliness and pain, leaving only the serenity and security of resting in Your everlasting love.
In the precious name of Your Son, we pray, Amen.
 

-- Ed Williams, Auburn, Ala.

willik5@auburn.edu


Christmas 2004
Thanks for visiting my Holiday Web page. 
Please share it with others.