The Plumbline

As we have walked along our journey in the discovery of how some of our Christmas traditions came to be, we have discovered a few things about the songs we sing this holiday time. One such song caught my attention this morning, not really understanding the significance of it until I read when it was penned. The song? "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Henry W. Longfellow and John B. Calkin. To most of us, this song is a little light and pretty, but it was the entirety of the song that I had not heard until I did my deeper dive into the lyrics. You see, most of the time, the song is sung without two very important stanzas! The song was written right in the heart of the American Civil War. Having traveled to some of the states engaged in this great battle, the history of the War was brought alive as I toured great battlegrounds, explored historical homes and plantations, and just listened to the storytellers as they recounted the history of this period. The song w...

As Jewish tradition would have it, the Christ child is taken to the synagogue on the eighth day after his birth for the ceremony of the "Brit Milah" - the Covenant of Circumcision. Today, it referred to as a "bris" (covenant).  It is a memorial of the first covenant given to Abraham so many years ago (Genesis 17:10-14).  Although modern day culture views this "rite" as for the purposes of physical hygiene, the real meaning of the "rite" of circumcision was as a symbol of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people.  Circumcision is performed on the eighty day of the child's life, during the daylight hours.  The Jewish day begins at sunset, so in counting the eight days, it is important to keep that in mind.  As part of the mysteries of how God came to explain certain practices happening at certain periods of time in a person's life were not fully recognized for their benefits when they were given.  If you look closely at this ...

Shepherds and sheep have long been a part of the Christmas story.  Our nativity scenes include at least one of each and our cards, songs, and stories of Christmas reflect the importance of the angels heralding the birth of the Savior out in the fields that night so long ago.  I am always encouraged to read through scripture and notice how many times God incorporate the stories of "ordinary" people, not just the rich, famous, or powerful.  Yes, we have stories of great kings and conquering armies.  We have stories of some pretty nasty ones, as well.  The stories which seem to have some of the richest meaning are those which are recorded about the "common guys and gals", though.  Think about the story of Sarah and Abraham - a struggling couple, just hoping one day to be blessed with a child, then somehow realizing they are past their "prime" and it may never happen for them.  The story of Naomi and Ruth come to mind, picturing a devoted daughter-in-law ...

I am learning of some pretty cool Christmas traditions as I do this exploration into what each of our various cultures have contributed to the celebration of Christmas worldwide. Another such cool tradition is this idea of a Jesse Tree.  If you haven't heard of it until today, don't be surprised, as it is not as common in the U.S. as it might be in some of the European countries, but it is a pretty old tradition.  You might have observed a Jesse Tree in some stained-glass windows of older church architecture, but not even known what you were observing.  It seems the Jesse Tree is used to tell the story of the lineage of Jesus, linking him back to Jesse, the father of King David.  Jesse is at the base and as the branches move upward, the various "ornaments" tell a story of the various members of the line of David to the coming of the Christ child (symbolized at the top with the infant in Mary's arms).  As the years have passed, those who continue with this tradi...

As we continue down our path of exploring Christmas traditions, I have discovered something unique about a Christmas Carol Service conducted each Christmas Eve in the United Kingdom. King's College was the original place for this service's first appearance in 1880, but continues till this day as part of the celebration of the season. It is called the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols - a tradition not as prevalent in the United States as it is in the UK.  This service is broadcast over the BBC airwaves each year to the entire world, if you are interested in experiencing it firsthand.  Bishop Benson, who would later become the Bishop of Canterbury, was the "father" of this service.  The first Festival was held in a smaller wooden structure used as the temporary "house" of the church in the region of Cornwall, UK, while the main cathedral was under construction in the community of Truro. As the tradition continues today, it is the awe-inspiring talent of t...

There are many children's stories we tell during this Christmas season.  Some of them are "biblical" and others are a little whimsical.  The snowman come to life, dancing around with a top hat and a corncob pipe is a little whimsical.  The warning to be good and not pout when the jolly old St. Nick is on his way captivates the minds of children and might even remind them to be on their best behavior as Christmas approaches.  We would not want to forget the spindly fir tree taken home by Charlie Brown, adorned with the paper chain and given a little Christmas cheer.  One such whimsical Christmas story came out of a department store's desire to have something special to give to their children each and every year.  Montgomery Ward Department store had made it a Christmas tradition to give away a coloring book each Christmas season to the children visiting the store.  One such season, they commissioned their very own store advertising writer, Robert May, ...

In my discovery of Christmas traditions, I came across one which is more European than some of the others and hasn't really taken hold in the U.S., but it had some deep meaning which I think was pretty neat.  It is something called the "Christingle" - something originating in the Moravian church in Germany around the mid-1700's.  It seems the minister of the local church wanted to give the children something of an object lesson so he took small candles and tied red ribbon around those candles.  As the children would light those candles during the Christmas Eve service, he planned to use those to teach the lesson of Christ being the light of the world and that his light could illuminate their hearts if they would let him in.   I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life. (John 8:12 CEV) As with many customs or traditions of the Christmas season, this one kind of took on a different appe...

A little known tradition is the legend of the Christmas Rose.  As the legend would have it, at the birth of the Christ child, Magi had their gifts of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Shepherds had their gifts of the fruits of the fields and their flocks.  A simple shepherd stood alone in the fields that night, wondering at what a single, lonely shepherdess might bring to this King of Kings.  As this poor shepherdess stood watching in wonder at the many gifts of those who passed by on their journey to see the King, she began to have a sorrowful heart, crying tears of regret as she saw nothing she could bring which he wouldn't already possess. It is said the angels took note of her heart and her tears, making a small hole in the snow covered mountainside that night.  From the hole emerged this beautiful white rose, tipped in pink tones.  This is the gift she would bring - for no other had such a gift and no other had such a heart.  This is the legend...

Ever been caught in one of those awkward moments when you are just standing there unaware of the fact you are directly under the biggest sprig of mistletoe you have ever seen? There you stand, almost looking "desperate" to any passerby, all the while totally unaware of your precarious perch! It may not faze you much, but it would mortify me if someone caught me "under the mistletoe" and I had no clue who that I was even there!  It would be one thing if I "planned" it!  Lest you think I am a "mistletoe" phobic, I am not.  I am just a little "selective" about who kisses me ANYWHERE, let alone under the mistletoe!  As we continue our look into some of our Christmas traditions and signs of the season, we would remiss not to look into the origin of this practice.  Did you know the "belief" behind mistletoe is one of ensuring fertility?  Now, consider that one the next time you perch under that red bow festooned innocent looking sp...

Some of our Christmas songs have been around for generation upon generation, while others are made popular in recent decades. One such enduring song is Silent Night. There are some interesting facts about this song I discovered this week in my study of Christmas traditions. Did you realize this song was penned in German by Joseph Mohr, an Austrian priest, in 1816? That makes this Christmas song nearly two centuries old! The purpose of the song was something most of us would not know. It was written to be sung by children on Christmas Eve at the evening service on the night before Christmas. Most of us don't associate this song as a "children's song", but it was his original intent in penning these words. With the assistance of Franz Gruber, another Austrian priest, the song was set to the melody we come to associate with this song to this day. It was first sung at midnight mass in 1818. For 196 years, Christmas festivities everywhere have continued the trad...

As we consider the various traditions of the Christmas season, one of the common scenes in many a church will be the simply play acting by children and adults alike - a simple recreation of the Christmas story, complete with the coming of the three wise men.  We would be remiss not to stop to consider the three wise men and their specific gifts in our discovery of Christmas traditions and their meaning.  Although these are not specifically decorations of the season, the journey of the magi and the gifts they brought are spoken of in the sermons, bedtime stories, and even the songs of the season.  The words of the old Christmas carol "We Three Kings" remind us of a couple of important facts about that first celebration of Christ's birth.  Christ was a "wanted man" from the beginning of his wee life on this earth.  Whether we stop to consider the jealousy of Herod who felt threatened by any "other king's" arrival, or the simple trust of the wise men...

In much earlier times, the celebration of special occasions was marked by the incorporation of some type of evergreen into or around the home.  Why?  For many, this "symbol" of being "ever-green" held some hope of spring relief from the frigid conditions of winter.  The evergreen boughs and plants would be brought into the homes, prominently displayed over doorways, and often adorning the tables during the big feast days.  In a more pagan view of these "evergreens", some believed actually having them displayed warded off evil spirits, witches, and the like.  So, we have a wide variety of beliefs around the custom of displaying the evergreen tree at the holiday season.  The introduction of the "Christmas tree" into homes everywhere began sometime in the 16th century in the country of Germany.  The first "decorated" evergreens are credited to the Germans.  The first lighted tree is credited to Martin Luther, wanting to display the twinkl...

We are nearing the Christmas season, a time when festive decor begins to emerge on the porches, front lawn, and family space within.  The twinkling lights beckon the ever-attentive eyes of wee ones, as the carols of yesteryear pull us into memories of family and seasons gone by.  As we near this season, I thought I'd take a few days to discover just what it is these "symbols" of Christmas really mean.  What is their background?  How did they come to be acquainted with the Christmas season?  The first is that of the wreath.  Many a door will be adorned with the festive green wreathe topped with a bright red bow.  Others will veer from the more "traditional" wreathe, displaying creativity galore as wreathes of all sorts emerge from old rags cleverly tied to the wreathe form to brightly colored tree ornaments clustered into a beautiful display.  Traditionally, the wreathe has been displayed on the front doors of many a home this time of year.  ...