#Bethlehem Candle

[dwuerch-blog]

Stop, Look and Go Tell

Stop, Look and Go Tell

For a short while on Friday, I allowed myself to get caught up in the holiday traffic frenzy and scotting out Christmas sales that included long check-out lines. I really endeavored to be “holly jolly” with my best attitude while keeping “all is calm, and all is bright” in my heart! We’re officially in the countdown to Christmas! We’re making our lists and checking them twice. We’re scanning the…

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#2nd Sunday of Advent #advent #Bethlehem #Bethlehem Candle #blog #Christ in Christmas #christian #countdown to Christmas #faith #GO #inspiration #Joseph and Mary #look #purple candle #stop #two candles

[fearlesswriterblog]

Second Sunday of Advent- Love Candle

The second Sunday of Advent is when the candle of faith or love is lit. Both of these proclaim the blessing to come because of God’s great love for us, by sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. This week we will focus on Mary’s magnificent song recorded in scripture, the birth of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah, and their reactions to his birth besides the fact that dad could now talk! Prepare…

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#Advent #Bethlehem #candle #Elizabeth and Zechariah #faith #God&039;s faithfulness #Love #Mary

[divinum-pacis]

December 2023: "In Bethlehem, the city of Christ's birth, Lutherans lit advent candles around a nativity surrounded by rubble, as God's children in Gaza still are today. God sent his only Son to be with us in times of doubt, fear, and grief. God is with them in Bethlehem, He is with His children in Gaza, and He is with his children under the rubble."

Photos and text from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

#religion #christianity #lutheran #evangelical lutheran church in jordan and the holy land #christ child #advent #bethlehem #palestine #divinum-pacis

[sgiandubh]

Sunday sounds: Second Advent Sunday - Peace

This week, we light the purple Bethlehem Candle, as we remember Mary and Joseph's journey, and as we are getting one week closer to Christmas. Its message is about Peace: something so difficult to find, both in the world and on this tiny speck of the Internet, that the easiest solution is to look for it within ourselves.

Having already encountered renewed Hope on our own journey to Bethlehem, we take a moment to open our hearts and minds:

'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' (King James' Bible -Luke, 2:14).

This is my favorite Greek Christmas carol and it comes from Thrace, way up in the North. Unlike what I wrote first (mislead by the fact the choir is from Edessa, in Central Macedonia), this is probably the most mysterious of all the Greek provinces. It is one of the only places in the country you will find mosques and Orthodox churches standing side by side, because it is home to the scant Turk minority. It is also one of the refugees' gateways to the West, crossing the Evros river that separates Greece from Turkey. But above anything else, as the Easternmost point of continental Greece, it is probably the closest to Byzantium: and it shows, if you listen closely enough.

Χριστός γιννιέται, χαρά στουν κόσμου means Christ is born, joy to the world and it would have been perhaps more suitable for next week. But I don't really care, because the deep sense of serenity it manages to convey, across any language barriers, is just about what is needed.

From East to West, this time, may Peace be with you and yours, on this day! We are already midway - and every day brings us closer and closer to the Light.

#sunday sounds #advent 2023 #traditional #Greek #youtube

[silicacid]

Church in Palestine decorates Christmas tree using debris due to Israel’s attack on Gaza

A church in the occupied West Bank's historic city of Bethlehem prepared a decoration for this year's Christmas using debris instead of a Christmas tree in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

"While genocide is being committed against our people in Gaza, we cannot celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this year in any way. We don't feel like celebrating.," the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem's pastor Munzir Ishak told Anadolu.

While streets in the Christian world are brightly decorated and cities are illuminated during Christmas, churches in occupied Palestine refrain from extravagant festive activities, limiting Christmas celebrations to prayers and divine rituals.

Thus, instead of decorating a Christmas tree this year, the church opted for a decoration made from debris symbolizing the destruction in Gaza.

The decoration includes a mound made of concrete pieces around an olive sapling, and in the center of this mound, a toy baby is placed to evoke an infant trapped under debris.

Around this wreckage, broken tree branches, various icons, and candles are arranged.

Ishak said featuring the wreckage decoration instead of Christmas decorations in the church is a message for themselves and the world.

"Our message to ourselves is this: God is with us in this pain. Christ was born in solidarity with those in pain and suffering. God is with the oppressed," he said.

"Secondly, we wanted to tell churches worldwide: 'Unfortunately, Christmas in Palestine is like this.' Whether Christian or Muslim, this is the situation we are going through in Palestine. We are exposed to a genocide war targeting all Palestinians. Unfortunately, when we think of the birth of Baby Christ, we think of the babies brutally killed in Gaza," he added.

The Christian clergy highlighted that Israel's attack on Gaza has "killed the Christmas spirit."

Christians from around the world visit the city of Bethlehem at the end of December each year to celebrate Christmas, believing it to be the birthplace of Jesus.

Visitors to the city come to the Church of the Nativity, built over a cave believed to be where the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ.

#west bank #bethlehem #palestine #free palestine #gaza

[spirit-amplified]

Clear Your Path to Spring Success with Path Clearing Magick 

We're entering a phase I like to call the "quickening of the year," as the northern hemisphere slowly warms up for Spring. It's an ideal moment to reflect on our goals for the year, plan our next steps, and clear any obstacles in our path to make way for our aspirations. Just as we clear away debris in the Spring to plant new seeds we may want to consider the powerful magick of a path-clearing working.

What is a path-clearing working, you ask? It's a versatile and effective ritual that can help clear away any barriers or negative energies that may impede your goals and/or progress. This working acts as a multitasker, capable of banishing negativity, invoking positive energy, setting intentions, and shielding you from further obstacles.

When life feels muddled, heavy, or stagnant, and you're facing relentless pressure, miscommunication, and bad luck, a path-clearing working can be the key to unlocking your path to success. By harnessing its energy, you can attract a more favorable and successful aura into your life, allowing you to refocus on your aspirations.

Whether you're seeking to remove negative energies, overcome obstacles, or simply realign with your ambitions, a path clearing working can provide the clarity and momentum you need to propel yourself forward.

Don't let roadblocks hinder your progress this year. Embrace the transformative power of a path-clearing working and pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.

Some Path-Clearing Herbs:

Abre Camino

Chicory

Coffee

Epazote

Henbit

Lemon

Peppermint

Pine Needle

Spanish Moss

Star of Bethlehem

Vetiver

Wysteria

My personal favorite combination is:

Chicory

Coffee

Epazote

Lemon

Pine Needle

Spanish Moss

Some Other Herbs To Add To Attract Success, Luck, & Prosperity:

Cinnamon

Bay

High John Root - Personal must to conquer any situation

Basil

Cinquefoil

Clove

Alfalfa

Echinacea

Nutmeg

Allspice

2 Ways To Do A Path-Clearing:

◽ Make an Infused Spell Oil & an herbal blend for candle magick and ritual.

◽ Make a concentrated tea for a Path-Clearing Bath - I will say if you want to go this route... I highly recommend holding off on any spices, this way you won't burn or irritate yourself. Also, I recommend making this beforehand and then letting it cool before adding it to the bath. The bath water should be room temp or colder to shock and open the aura and you definitely want to fully submerge yourself.

The process of path-clearing often involves the use of candles, typically in orange, gold, and green, symbolizing success and action. These candles can be customized with herbs or oils to enhance their energy. Adding a key to enchant with the candle magick can symbolize unlocking new pathways and be a token that you can carry with you, whether using an actual key or a key charm. Some practitioners suggest incorporating a crossroads into their working. If a physical crossroads isn't available, using crossroads dirt or drawing a cross with chalk during your working can serve as alternatives.

And you can definitely add both together to make a wickedly strong path-clearing working!!

#pagan witch #traditional witchcraft #witchcraft #witch #witchblr #witches #magick #spells #spellwork #spirituality #paganblr #paganism #witches of tumblr #witch community

[prophetic-hijinks]

Things I learned about Colombian Christmas holiday traditions

1) They start the festivities On December 7, on a day called the Day of the little candles. Families take to the streets to light hundreds of little candles which are meant to light the Way of the Virgin Mary as she comes to bless their home. People will often construct lanterns to place in their windows.

2) Nine days leading up to Christmas they get together for the ‘Novenas’. Where families gather to recite an old Christmas prayer. It is also a good excuse to eat, drink and be merry. Christmas Day proper is often used to relax and recover from the frivolities.

3) Aguinaldos are fun little games played by children and adults during the Christmas period. One is called tres pies, where you try to sneak a foot between the legs of your opponent without them noticing. Another is si o no, where you can’t say either yes or no.

Another game, @bitsy83 brought to me attention is adorable called Beso Robado, This is a couples’ game. Each of you try to steal a kiss from the other. If your partner kisses you back you should, ”Mis Aguinaldos” and you earn a point.

4) Santa is not really a thing in Colombia, mostly just there for the aesthetic. Instead, children open presents on Christmas Eve delivered by the baby Jesus himself!

5) lastly, December 28th is the Day of the innocents. (So named for the biblical story where King Herod ordered the killing of all newborn boys in Bethlehem). But it has turned into a celebration of childhood, Where people pull pranks, play practical jokes and generally try to amuse each other. This also happens to be Camilo’ birthday!

Are there any other Colombian traditions you know of?

Source

#encanto #Colombian traditions

[redgriffun]

Christmas in Bethlehem this year.

Sources: Al-Jazeera English.

Slide one:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Occupied West Bank, indoors, nativity scene places a large infant Jesus in the rubble. He is wrapped in a keffiyeh . One lit candle balanced beside him. Around, are smaller traditional figures of Mary Joseph Magi and Shepherds carved in olive wood.

Slide two:

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Mary cradles the infant Jesus as mothers often hold their martyred children. Joseph consoles her. The Shepherds are in flight, carrying bundle of belongings. The magi come, instead of the traditional gifts, they come bearing white shrouds. The scene is admist rubble and barbed wire and the house behind them is destroyed. There is no shelter. Bombing has created a hole in the shape of a star, where the light comes from. The sculptor is Tariq Salsa.

#palestine #gaza #free gaza #west bank #fromtherivertothesea #Christmas #tariq salsa

[bizarrebazaar13]

inspired by this post, I designed my own neathy fears, based off of the destinies (the original ones, not the Irem ones)! under a cut for length and spoilers. there’s 14 of them, each with 3 examples of what falls under that category, so strap in. everything except the last one is a destiny.

The Authority. Unbreakable hold on the past, present, and future.

The Judgements

The Empress

The Bazaar

The Gleam. Light is law, and light changes when it moves through glass.

Parabola

The Dawn Machine

The Royal Bethlehem

The Memory. Something fundamentally changed, in your memories and in the present.

The King With a Hundred Hearts

Shapeling Arts

The Cave of the Nadir

The Road. Knowledge, power, and the terrible things done to gain both.

Mr Cards

The Marvellous

The sacrifice of Candles

The Passion. Love as horror, a curse, a driver of disaster.

The Lady in Lilac

Lacre

Light Fingers

The Gloom. What hides in the darkness?

The Unterzee

The Forgotten Quarter

Flute Street

The Appetite. A hunger left unsatisfied.

Seekers of the name

The Vake

Heart’s Desire

The Oath. A promise made, not easily broken.

Mr Wines

Infernal contracts

The sale of cities

The Instrument. You are a tool of violence and war.

Knife and Candle

Jack of Smiles

Hearts’ Game

The Curator. Everything must be watched, studied, and preserved, eternally.

The Labyrinth of Tigers

The Masters’ hoards

Mr Slowcake

The Backstage. Every action has a butterfly effect, infinite consequences branching out as far as you can imagine.

The Great Game

The Moonlit Chessboard

Cats and Fingerkings

The Revelation. Knowledge you were never meant to comprehend.

The Iron Republic

The Correspondence

Artisan of the Red Science

The Torment. Endless pain and regret.

Cline

The Tomb-Colonies

The Cantigaster

The Reckoning. It will not be postponed indefinitely.

The Liberation of Night

Nemesis

Revolutionaries

#aelan speaks #fallen london #the magnus archives

[thepastisalreadywritten]

First candle / Sunday: HOPE (The Prophecy Candle)

Second candle / Sunday: PEACE (The Bethlehem Candle)

Third candle / Sunday: JOY (The Shepherd’s Candle)

Fourth candle / Sunday: LOVE (The Angel’s Candle) 

#Advent #Advent 2023 #candles #wreath #Jesus Christ #Christmas #Christmas Eve #hope #peace #joy #love #liturgical season

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (12/22/23) Follower of Jan Joest of Kalkar (Flemish, active c. 1515) The Adoration of the Christ Child (c. 1515) Oil on wood, 104.1 x 70.2 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Jack & Belle Linsky Collection)

This nighttime scene is based on an account by Saint Bridget of Sweden, who claimed to have seen a holy vision of the Nativity during a pilgrimage to Bethlehem in 1372. The details which correlate with Bridget’s account are the young Virgin with flowing hair, the naked Christ Child, and the singing angels. The most important element of Bridget’s vision is the "great and ineffable light" which emanates from the Child to illuminate his surroundings, entirely eclipsing the light of the candle held by Joseph. This effect of illumination allowed painters to both indicate the holiness of the event as well as to experiment with dramatic lighting effects.

#flemish artist #religious art

[violant-apologia]

guilt, desire, hate

guilt — What is your OC guilty about? Even though she wasn't his real daughter, and even though she tried her very hardest to exploit him, the thing the Apologist feels the most guilty for is the sacrifice of his Nearly-Daughter for St Cerise's candle during Seeking. Blood may not be blood, but blood is blood.

He's managed to put right a lot of things he did during that year, but not everything. She still haunts him; when he ventures into the Cave of the Nadir, he often sees her face, forgetting her demise – and then is crushed when he leaves, and remembers.

desire — What's one thing your OC wants more than anything in the world? The Apologist is so open about his desire to return to the Surface. It's like, half of everyone's desires, down here; what need is there to hide it? A lot of his poetry concerns this pining, too.

But... it may have morphed a little. Since seeing the night sky through Watchful gains and his glimpses of the Loom, his desire is now the slightly more general "to see the stars again" – whether that's on the Surface or in the Wilderness.

hate — What does your OC hate? This is kinda difficult, actually. There's a lot of things the Apologist very strongly dislikes – the Liberation, Hell, the Discordance, Mr Iron – but none so passionately or so personally that I'd say he hates them.

wait i tell a lie

The Apologist HATES the Royal Bethlehem, so much that I did an item representing it a while ago:

He REALLY didn't enjoy the Red-and-Gold Gala (but i did! go play the bloody wallpaper, it slaps)

ask game here!

#yes it's a glove get off my back #i'm sure i had a good reason for that when i first made it #thanks for the ask! #the apologist #custom fl stuff #stalwartscholar

[genuinelyshallow]

Christians in Palestinian will be spending their worst Christmas ever. Bethlhem Chruch will not hold celebrations this year.

BETHLEHEM, Occupied West Bank, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Palestinian Christians held a sombre Christmas vigil in Bethlehem on Saturday, with candle-lit hymns and prayers for peace in Gaza instead of the usual festive celebrations at the spot where they believe Jesus Christ was born.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/sombre-bethlehem-marks-christmas-with-vigil-bombs-rain-gaza-2023-12-23/

Church bells echo through the labyrinth-like streets of Bethlehem. With Christmas approaching, the city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be teeming with visitors. But this year, it is almost deserted

#palestine #free palestine #gaza #free gaza #social justice #jerusalem #christmas #human rights #middle east

[sgiandubh]

Sunday sounds: Third Advent Gaudete Sunday - Joy

This severely traffic jammed Sunday may be plagued with hustle, bustle and the final scramble to Christmas, but it is time to light the pink Shepherds' Candle.

These Most Humble of Them All were also the first to be told something that forever changed our hearts and minds, and immediately sent them on the road to Bethlehem:

'And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' (Luke,  2:10-12).

Despite and sometimes even against anything else, this Sunday is about an overwhelming, definitive feeling of Joy:

We do not need complicated words to describe what we think or feel on this particular day. This is why, and rather uncharacteristically, I have chosen John Rutter's deceptively simple and modern tune. It closely resonates with John Betjeman's Christmas poem - and I could never resist Betjeman:

The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass window sheen From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge And round the Manor House the yew Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge, The altar, font and arch and pew, So that the villagers can say 'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze, Corporation tramcars clang, On lighted tenements I gaze, Where paper decorations hang, And bunting in the red Town Hall Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.

And London shops on Christmas Eve Are strung with silver bells and flowers As hurrying clerks the City leave To pigeon-haunted classic towers, And marbled clouds go scudding by The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad, And oafish louts remember Mum, And sleepless children's hearts are glad. And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!' Even to shining ones who dwell Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true?  And is it true, This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window's hue, A Baby in an ox's stall ? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ?  For if it is, No loving fingers tying strings Around those tissued fripperies, The sweet and silly Christmas things, Bath salts and inexpensive scent And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells, No carolling in frosty air, Nor all the steeple-shaking bells Can with this single Truth compare - That God was man in Palestine And lives today in Bread and Wine.

#sunday sounds #advent 2023 #traditional #English #youtube

[rabbitcruiser]

Christmas Eve

Here the Christchindli (the child Jesus) brings the presents on Christmas Eve. And, thankfully, you open all your presents on Christmas Eve, too!

Christmas Eve takes place on December 24 and is probably one of the best nights of the year! Christmas has the power to reunite families and friends, warm up our hearts, and remind us that we have so many things to be thankful for. So put on your cozy PJs, light up your fireplace, call your loved ones, and top off your hot cocoa with some fluffy marshmallows!

When is Christmas Eve 2023?

Christmas Eve is on December 24 and marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Many churches mark the end of Advent with midnight church services. During modern times, it is popularly celebrated on the night before Christmas Day.

History of Christmas Eve

The tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve derives partly from Christan liturgy starting at sunset, which is inherited from Jewish tradition and based on the Book of Genesis’s Story of Creation, saying the first day starts in the evening and ends in the morning. It is also believed that Jesus, or Jesus of Nazareth, was born at midnight in the region of Palestine. Many historical conceptions on ancient traditions contributed to the development of eve celebrations, which persisted in the early Christian calendar.

Christmas Eve marks the end of the Advent season, the period of preparation for Christmas, which begins on November 30, or November 15 in the East. It was on this night that the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks outside Bethlehem saw the bright star in the sky that signaled the birth of Jesus Christ. This is why many churches have services beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. From the 12th to the 15th century, due to the Holy Inquisition, Christian traditions were made mandatory. During the 16th century, the church was influenced by the Winter Solstice celebrations and began Christmas preparations the night prior.

In many parts of Europe, people believe that at midnight on Christmas Eve, animals briefly possess the power of speech. It might have been the traditional association of the ox and the donkey in the Nativity scene that gave rise to such superstitions, but the concept of talking animals is probably pagan in origin. A closely related belief, widespread in England and Europe, is that cattle rise in their stalls at midnight on Christmas Eve, or kneel to worship the Christ child.

Despite its Christian significance, there are a number of pagan and supernatural beliefs connected with Christmas Eve. In Scandinavian countries, it is believed that the dead revisit their former homes on Christmas Eve. People make sure that their parlors are tidy and that a good fire is burning before they go to bed. They often light candles, set the table, and leave out plenty of food for their ghostly visitors. They also make sure that the seats of their chairs have been dusted. When they get up in the morning, they wipe the chairs again with a clean white towel. If they find any dirt on the seat, it means that a relative fresh from the grave sat there during the night.

Celebrating Christmas as a holiday became popular in the 19th century. Christmas Eve remains an important part of Christian culture and signifies the birth of Jesus. It has become even more popular within the last century thanks to a beloved icon: Santa Claus. The idea of the jolly man in red gave rise to more traditions such as hanging stockings and leaving out cookies, milk, and sometimes carrots for his reindeer.

Apart from Santa Claus and Christianity, Christmas Eve took on another significance  — it also became a day made for spending time with family and loved ones over dinner, decorating, gift wrapping, and Christmas-themed movies. The holiday unites families and friends, allowing them to get together and enjoy special and traditional activities, from Europe, North- and Latin America, to Asia.

Christmas Eve timeline

1818

Christmas Eve Anthem

The Christmas carol 'Silent Night' is performed for the first time in public in the Austrian village of Oberndorf on Christmas Eve at a midnight mass in the Saint Nicholas Church.

1914

The Christmas Truce

In World War I, as a manifestation of the Christmas spirit, French, German, and British troops lay down their arms, and soldiers initiate a ceasefire, sharing cigarettes and whiskey.

1969

Christmas Eve with the Moon

Astronauts on the Apollo 8 mission become the first humans to orbit the Moon, it is broadcasted live on Christmas Eve.

2016

World's Largest Santa

The world's largest Santa, measuring 21.08 m (69.16 ft.) tall, 9.18 m (30.12 ft.) wide and 12.62 m (41.4 ft.) deep, goes on display in the Municipality of Águeda in Portugal.

Christmas Eve Traditions

On the night of Christmas Eve, children around the world leave food and a drink for whoever comes to their house and brings them presents. Who this is depends on what part of the world you live in. It might be Santa Claus or Father Christmas who delivers the presents. In Switzerland, it’s the Christchindli (Christchild). In Denmark, it’s the Christmas elf. In Sweden, it’s a small man. And in Finland, it’s the Christmas goat!

In Latvia, the custom is that you can open the presents under the Christmas tree after the Christmas Eve dinner, with a slight twist — before the gift is accepted, the person receiving it has to recite a small poem.

Christmas Eve By the Numbers

32.8 million – the number of real Christmas trees sold in America during the year 2018.

49% – nearly half of Americans don’t buy Christmas decorations, according to a Statista survey.

46% – fortunately, nearly half of Americans don’t mind lying to protect their loved ones’ feelings when they don’t like a gift.

$1,496 – the average spent by U.S. households during the Christmas holidays in 2019, down from 2018.

22% – the amount of Americans that believe their Christmas spending will leave them in debt.

1 billion – the approximate number of cookies Santa gets around the world on Christmas Eve.

500 million – the number of glasses of milk left out worldwide on Christmas Eve, since Santa needs something to wash his cookies down.

1,800 miles – the speed Santa travels per second if we assume that he has to travel 316899308.041 miles on Christmas Eve and that he has 32 hours to do it.

500 million – the estimated amount of households that Santa has to leave presents at.

8.4 years – the overall age children stop believing in Santa across the United States.

Christmas Eve FAQs

What do you do on Christmas Eve?

On Christmas Eve, many families get together to enjoy a big family dinner. When children are asleep, parents and grandparents sneakily put presents under the tree from Santa.

What time is Christmas Eve?

Originally, Christmas Eve was celebrated on the night before Christmas, however, over time, it has become a full-day affair.

Why is it called Christmas Eve?

The word ‘eve’ means the day or period of time before an occasion or event. So Christmas Eve literally means ‘the day before Christmas.’

Christmas Eve Activities

Dinner time! No matter your obligations for the night, where you are, or who you are spending it with, take the time to have dinner with the people close to you. Prepare some food or order it, have some desserts, and enjoy the conversation and the company!

Secret Santa/secret friend: Many countries share the tradition of giving and receiving gifts, and though it’s usually saved for Christmas Day, Secret Santas are great for Christmas Eve. Organize a Secret Santa with your friends and spread the Christmas spirit.

Keep and create traditions: From cooking your favorite childhood Christmas dish and making eggnog to hosting an annual movie night with your friends, the Christmas season is the perfect time to start a new tradition.

5 MIND-BLOWING FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVE

The fastest delivery man: Scientists calculated that Santa has to travel at 650 miles a second to do all his work on Christmas Eve.

Merry scary: A popular tradition in the past century was to sit around and tell scary ghost stories on Christmas Eve.

The Christ candle: On Christmas Eve, the Christ candle in the center of the Advent wreath is traditionally lit in many church services.

The Nativity scene: It is a tradition of Christians to recreate the Nativity scene, including live dramatizations.

Presents come earlier: In some countries, like Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Portland, and some places in Latin America, presents are exchanged and opened on Christmas Eve rather than at Christmas.

Why We Love Christmas Eve

 Light even in the darkest times: For Christians, Christmas is the reminder that God loves humanity so much that he sent his Son to save them and forgive their sins. So even in the darkest time, and just as in World War I, Christmas Eve is the night that lights up the world.

Reunion night: Even people who aren’t religious celebrate Christmas and take the time to go home to spend time with family and see friends they haven’t seen all year.

An opportunity to give love: Beyond any commercial and material reason, Christmas Eve is the perfect night to give and receive love. Some loving and kind gifts include your company, your support, food for homeless animals, donations to organizations and churches, and more.

Source

#nativity scene #Krippe #Adventskranz #advent wreath #Luzern #Lucerne #Schweiz #Switzerland #we're celebrating on Christmas Eve #we get the presents on Christmas Eve too #24 December #Christmas tree #original photography #night shot #illuminated #Christmas lights #architecture #tourist attraction #landmark #Rathaus #River Reuss #old town #Zeughausbrunnen from 1547 #fountain #Christmas Eve #Heiliger Abend #Christchindli #ChristmasEve #cityscape

[budapestbug]

n Hungary and in Hungarian communities worldwide, a key element of celebrating Christmas is a traditional custom, the Bethlehem Shepherd’s play (Betlehemes játék). The present-day version of the Bethlehem folk play originates from the 19th-20th century, although it may date back as far as the medieval times.

The players called “Betlehemesek” go from house to house, dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and the Three Kings, narrating scenes about the birth of Christ. An essential part of the play is the homemade manger or small church, carried along by one of the players.

The Bethlehem Shepherd’s play acted out by peasants and shepherds at first, and later mostly by children, usually covers the following events:

* There is no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn. * An angel of the Lord comes to the shepherds, who keep watch over their flock by night. The heavenly messenger brings the good tidings in Latin, a language not clearly understood by the shepherds, which creates misunderstandings that put a smile on the audience’s face. * Once they understand the message, the shepherds go and worship the little Jesus.

At the conclusion of the play, the Betlehemesek ask for alms (candy or other gifts), which is gladly given, in the spirit of Christmas.

At the turn of the century, there was a tradition in Szeged, which involved the shepherds marching into the Church for the Midnight Mass, sounding their bagpipes, and offering a lamb to the priest. At the end, an equinox dance followed, with the members of the congregation.

The Christmas-table was set after the Midnight Mass, decorated with a consecrated candle in the center of a bunch of wheat shoots grown from seeds planted on St. Lucy’s Day (December 13). The table was covered with three tablecloths woven and decorated during the weeks of the Advent, and wheat straw was spread under the table, which can be interpreted as a symbol of Jesus and the Sun.

The family sat around this home altar, the Christmas table, and the host sliced the apple "dipped into golden water" into as many pieces as there were sitting around the table. Sharing the apple symbolized not only the togetherness of the family but also the oneness with the Universe.

Fish, meats, sweets (including the indispensable beigli or bejgli), and fruits (apple and walnut) are served for the Christmas Eve dinner.