The Story of Christmas

The story of Christmas as told by the children of St Paul's Church, 
 Auckland, New Zealand. Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly, 
but not change it in any way, nor make money out of it.

 

The Birth of Jesus: 

       In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
       Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
       When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
      So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2: 1-20

The Magi Visit the Messiah: 

       After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."
       Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
       After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2: 2-12

The Escape to Egypt 

       When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah,weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted,  because they are no more. Matthew 2: 13-18

The Return to Nazareth 

       After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2: 19-23

AT  CHRISTMASTIME
by W. G. Park

AT  Christmas-time  on  Judea's  hills
The  moonlight  falls  with  silver  glow,
And  shepherds  watch  their  flocks  by  night,
Just  as  in  ages  long  ago.
At  Christmas-time  our  hearts  still  turn
With  loving  thoughts  to  that  far  day,
"When  angel  hosts  proclaimed  the  birth
Of  Him  who  in  the  manger  lay.

Though  centuries  have  passed  away
Since  earth  its  Christmas-time  first  knew,
The  centuries  that  are  to  come
Will  celebrate  His  birth  anew.
The  light  of  Bethlehem's  wondrous  star
Has  shone  through  all  the  ages  long,
And  'round  the  world  on  wings  of  love
Has  rolled  the  angels'  glorious  song.

 

Children Celebrate Jesus:

• Boys Choir at New College Oxford
• "O Holy Night" by Rhema Marvanne
• Children from Joe Slovo School 
• Children singing in the Oak Bay Village
• Bulgarian National Radio Children's Choir 
• "Siwano" by the African Children's Choir
• Ave Maria (coro bambini)
• Young Teens Sing The Swedish "Lucia"
• Children Sing Christmas Tunes in Bantayan Philippines
• Hereford Cathedral Choir "In The Bleak Midwinter" 
• Children from Romania Sing On Christmas Eve

The German Christmas Markets

Christmas market in Jena, Germany

      A Christmas market, also known among Germanic peoples as a Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. Although many of these markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Alsace, many are now being held in many other countries.

      The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. The Dresden Christmas market, first held in 1434, is one of the oldest Christmas markets. It attracts between 1.5 and 2 million visitors a year and has over 250 stalls. The Bautzen Christmas market was even older, first being mentioned in records in 1384. The Vienna "December market" was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294.

     In many towns in Germany and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or "Weihnachtsmarkt". In southern Germany and Austria it is sometimes called a "Christkind(e)l(s)markt" (German language, literally meaning "Christ child market"). Generally held in the town square and adjacent pedestrian zones, the market sells food, drink, and seasonal items from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. On opening nights (and in some towns more often) onlookers welcome the "Christkind", or boy Jesus, acted out by a local child.

      Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.

A traditional stand selling teddy bears.

      Famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of Dortmund, Erfurt, Nuremberg, Dresden, Stuttgart and Augsburg making them popular tourist attractions. The Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw about two million people each year; the Stuttgart market attracts more than three million visitors and the Dortmund market can claim one of the biggest Christmas markets in Germany, with more than three and a half million visitors and over 300 stalls packed around a gigantic Christmas tree creation that stands 45 metres tall. Additionally, Berlin claims over 70 markets, which open in late November and close just after Christmas.

      Strasbourg, in Alsace, France, has been holding a Christmas market, "Christkindelsmärik," around its cathedral since 1570, when it was part of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation.

      Christmas markets are also traditional in Alsace and most of the towns have their local Christmas market.

      In 1982 Lincoln, England established an annual Christmas market in early December, and this remains the most extensive such market by area in the United Kingdom, with a claimed total of over 300 stalls attracting more than 100,000 visitors over its four days. Large Christmas markets are also held in England in Bath (since 2000), Leeds and Birmingham, with visiting traders from Frankfurt.   The Birmingham Christmas Market was the largest in the UK in 2009 attracting over 2.8 million visitors over four weeks. Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, and Nottingham also hold similar markets; with Manchester having around 200 stalls in 2007, attracting nearly 1.2 million visitors over five weeks. The Birmingham Market in 2011 became the largest ever Christmas Market to be held outside of Germany, stretching one kilometre through the city centre.

     Since 2007, a traditional Christmas market is held for the first time in Sibiu, Romania. The first of its kind in Romania, it is inspired by Viennese Christmas markets. It was held in the "Lesser Square" (Piața Mică) had 38 small stalls, a small stage and an area dedicated to children, having several mechanical attractions installed there. The 2008 edition was held in the "Grand Square" and had the same number of stalls, but a bigger stage was installed, where Christmas carols concerts were held. A new attraction was an ice skating rink. The third edition, in 2009, was also held in the Grand Square of the town Sibiu, has over 70 stalls where merchants from all over Romania sell their goods. A stage, an ice skating rink and an area dedicated to mechanical installations for children are installed.

       German immigrants also brought the Christmas market celebrations to the United States. Although North Americans do not have such grand celebrations resembling the German Christkindlmarkts, we do organize literally thousands of Christmas craft fairs annually across the United States in our town squares, high schools, churches etc... Below I have included a listing of those internet sites that will help prospective organizers of Christmas craft fairs.

Video of Christmas Fairs and Bazaars:

• Norwegian Christmas Fair
• German Christmas Markets in Nuremberg
• Brough’s Victorian Christmas Fair
• Christmas Market Montreux
• Budapest Christmas Fair - Budapesti Karácsonyi Vásár
• The Dickens Christmas Fair

Christmas Markets by Rick Steves.

Living Nativities

Kids singing at a living nativity celebration.

      The things children most quickly note and in which they take most interest may indicate their bent of mind and help parents and instructors to shape their education along the lines of least resistance. R. H. Haweis says:

      "Long before I had ever touched a violin, I was fascinated with its appearance. In driving to town as a child-- when, standing up in the carriage, I could just look out of the window--certain fiddle-shops hung with mighty rows of violins and cellos attracted my attention. I had dreams of these large editions--these patriarchs of the violin, as they seemed to me. I compared them in my mind with the smaller tenors and violins. I dreamed about their brown, big, dusty bodies and affable good-natured-looking heads and grinning faces. These violin shops were the great points watched for on each journey up to London from Norwood, where I spent my early days."

     Parents can help shape the way culture and our future generations of children view Christmas. Because culture is a learned process, handed down from one family to the next, you can leave lasting impressions on others that count! Visit the Nativity links to see just "how" congregations are "reshaping" the culture of Christmas here in America. Your church can develop programs for people of the community that are both unique experiences and that introduce them to the story of Jesus birth.

Living Nativity Links Places and People:

• The Mount Laurel Living Nativity
• Brooke Hills Free Methodist Church "Fumbly Bumbly Angels"
• Christmas City - San Antonio's Living Nativity 
• Salem Lutheran Church Living Nativity 2010 
• The Nativity Story and Nativity Bloopers & Outtakes
• "Carol of the Bells" Shepherd Boomwhacker Style
• Hallelujah Shadow Nativity for Church Christmas Program
• 13th Ward Shadow Nativity 2022

Christmas Window Displays

 (A Christmas window display in Paris, France)

      The best holiday window dressings can generate great excitement and become a gathering place for an entire shopping community. They contribute to the environment by entertaining pedestrians, while simultaneously communicating the products and services inside the store.     Many department stores create displays with moving parts, lights, music and all kinds of animated characters.

       When I was a young child it was a part of my family's tradition at Christmas to grab a hot cocoa and walk along the avenue viewing the Christmas window displays. As I grew older and moved to Chicago this became an even greater treat! 

       Now I take my children to down town St. Charles every year to view their window dressings and eat chestnuts that are roasted by venders on the street corners there. St. Charles also hires many actors and singers during Christmas to entertain pedestrians. This is a inexpensive way for my family to enjoy the holiday environment and be together.

      I've included some fun video here of Christmas window displays I found on youtube for those of you who are "snowed in" during the holidays or maybe you live in a small town and don't get to see these elaborate creations.

Video selections of window dressings at Christmas.

• Ogilvy's Christmas window displays: one, two, three, four
• Christmas in New York City
• The Bay Queen Street, Toronto (Christmas Window)
• Lord & Taylor's Christmas Windows: 2008, 2008 in New York, 2007, 2011, Building windows for 2011, 2010,
• Macy's Christmas Window Displays: 2011, article, 2008, 2010,
• Bergdorf Goodman Christmas Windows: 2011,
• Tiffany Christmas Windows: 2011,
• Christmas in Chicago: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4,
• Vintage Christmas Window Displays
• Woodward's Christmas Windows at Canada Place 2007 and The old Woodwards
• Christmas Windows from Buffalo, NY

More links to Christmas window displays.

• Springfield Decorations and Display LTD
• Our Home for the Holidays
• Cockermouth Window Dressing Competition 2008
• Teddies in the window.
• Bergdorf Goodman's Seasonal Spree
• Mr. Christmas has the dignity of having dirt beneath his fingernails

Keeping Advent Calendars for Children

Burn a candle to
celebrate Advent.

       An Advent calendar is a special calendar that is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content. Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3.

       Today, most Advent calendars are made for children. Many take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows" of which there are often 24; one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. One is opened every day during Advent. In many of these calendars, each window opens to reveal an image, a poem, or a portion of a story such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus. More elaborate Advent calendars have a small gift concealed in each window, such as a toy or a chocolate item.

       The origins of the Advent calendar come from German Lutherans who, at least as early as the beginning of the 19th century, would count down the first 24 days of December physically. Often this meant simply drawing a chalk line on the door each day, beginning on December 1. Some families had more elaborate means of marking the days, such as lighting a new candle (perhaps the genesis of today's Advent wreath) or hanging a little religious picture on the wall each day.

A simple, silver and white Advent calendar
 made with cardboard drawers.

       The 24 candles might also be placed on a structure, which was known as an "Advent clock". In December 1839, the first verifiable public Advent wreath was hung in the prayer hall of the Rauhes Haus (relief house) in Hamburg, although it had been a family practice in parts of German-speaking Europe since the 17th century.

       The first known Advent calendar was handmade in 1851. According to the Lower Austrian (NÖ) Landesmuseum, the first printed Advent calendar was produced in Hamburg in 1902 or 1903. Other authorities state that a Swabian parishioner, Gerhard Lang, was responsible for the first printed calendar, in 1908.

      Lang was certainly the progenitor of today's calendar. He was a printer in the firm Reichhold & Lang of Munich who, in 1908, made 24 little colored pictures that could be affixed to a piece of cardboard. Several years later, he introduced a calendar with 24 little doors. He created and marketed at least 30 designs before his firm went out of business in the 1930s. In this same time period, Sankt Johannis Printing Company started producing religious Advent calendars, with Bible verses instead of pictures behind the doors.

      The practice disappeared during World War II, apparently to save paper. After the war, Richard Sellmer of Stuttgart resurrected the commercial Advent calendar and is responsible for its widespread popularity. His company, Richard Sellmer Verlag, today maintains a stock of over 1,000,000 calendars worldwide. Other companies such as Cadbury's who specialize in the making of calendars have similar stocks, if not higher.

Advent Calendars Kids Can Help Create:

• Color a Nostalgic Portrait of Santa Claus for a Christmas Calendar Countdown
• Advent Activities for Families: Finding a Meaningful Christmas Countdown

Paper Rosette Ornaments and Garlands

The photo below shows paper ornaments that I made with die-cuts of vintage Victorian children and paper cupcake liners. The cupcake liners eliminate the tedious work of dying, cutting, folding and gluing paper rosettes in order to fit the individual sizes of the dye-cuts pictured in the garland pictured on the right. 
      So why not go to such trouble, some of you dyed-in-the-wool crafters may be thinking? Don't the handmade rosette look better?  Well, yes, but the rosette paper ornaments below were crafted for profit. Patrons will not pay much for these paper ornaments, so one must find ways to pinch pennies in order to make a bit of money. These paper ornaments will sell for about $1.50 and the materials to make just one cost approximately 35 cents. This doesn't include labor of any kind. Therefore, it is necessary to find economical ways to produce craft for fairs in order to make the effort worth while. Tips such as these are very helpful for those of you who are as frugal as myself. I will endeavor to share more of them in future posts.

Die-cuts backed with rosettes made from cupcake liners are very inexpensive to produce. Purchase those cupcake liners in bulk during a discount sale at your local craft, hobby, grocery or specialty cake store. To assemble simply layer and paste the papers together according to size and taste. I cut out the centers of the cupcake liners so that only the accordion folded edge is used. This makes it easier to shape the folded paper ruffles to fit the project.

More Rosette Ornament Crafts:

• Shabby Tea Party Rosettes
• Sparkly Paper Rosettes with Lettering
• Snowman and Christmas pine constructed with rosettes

Pinning Contemporay Christmas Baubles

      For this project I purchased Styrofoam balls and covered these with discarded textile trims, silks, and embroidered clothing that had served it's usefulness long ago. I pinned these fabrics down with regular steal sewing pins and gold sequin stars. These baubles were very easy and entertaining to make. 

      I use similar methods to those used by many Victorian crafters in the past. The differences are, of course, design related. Traditionally this craft is done with blank silk covered balls and elaborate beading techniques. The Victorians preferred very formal symmetrical designs on their pinned baubles. A random approach to this is considered far more contemporary.

Traditional and Modern Beaded Baubles:

• Victorian styled pinned baubles from Orna Mentz
• How to make Christmas ornaments from old necklaces
• Button covered bauble for Christmas
• Dusty Oak Baubles
• Very classy personalized baubles with vinyl/painted text

Sew a Few Wool Hearts for Your Christmas Tree

      This past Christmas I decided to use up some wool scraps I had stashed in
my collections of fabric. I layered and cut three different sizes of hearts and then
stitched these together with a blanket stitch. Then I added a few ribbon rosettes to
the center of each heart.

A video showing how to sew a simple blanket stitch.

More Wool Ornaments:

•  Wool Christmas Tree Ornaments
• Felted wool Christmas tree ornament
• Wool folk art ornaments from Indigo Junction
• Wool plum pudding ornaments

Santa's Christmas Greetings Gift Tags

       These Christmas greeting tags of Santa come in blue, green, red and brown. I have cleaned, redrawn and restored these designs from a very old newspaper clipping. About 1910. Use them in your personal crafts only please.

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject, folks.

Christmas Clipart or Clip Art Pages On This Blog: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

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Santa's Toy Bag Gift Tags

      Some gifts are a little too awkward to wrap with paper. Print these large Christmas gift tag graphics for your little one's BIG gift. Then tie it on to their bike etc... with a big red or green ribbon!

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject, folks.

Christmas Clipart or Clip Art Pages On This Blog: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

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Color These Beautiful Christmas Bisque Head Dolls

Description of Coloring Page: Here are some coloring pages of stunning antique dolls for you to color. When I was very young I often asked for a doll similar to these for Christmas. However, my parents were not wealthy enough to gift to me such a doll. Parents can mount these paper beauties onto heavy cardstock so that their little ones will have a bisque head doll that won't break or even cost much more than a few pennies!

Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

"Subscribe http://tinyurl.com/BarcroftTV twitter: https://twitter.com/Barcroft_TV Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BarcroftMedia Doll mad Kathy Libraty is barely visible amongst her astonishing collection of antique dolls - worth a whopping £1.23m. Every inch of the 52-year-old's home is filled with over 1000 of the figures she has been collecting for over 25 years."

Color More Pictures of Antique Dolls:

• Over 60 Coloring Pages of Antique Dolls
• A Doll's Family Album - Collection by Mrs. Edna Knowles King
• Antique Doll Coloring Page from "The Doll House Elora"
• Dover publishes an antique doll coloring book by Brenda Sneathen Mattox
• Lots of teddy coloring pages from myfreecoloringpages

Color Old St. Nick With His Bag of Toys

Old St. Nick carries a very heavy load of toys on his back for children to color.

 

Description of Coloring Page: toys, bag of toys, ark, bugles, clown, giraffe, big boots, costume, Santa Claus

Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

St. Nick is coming to town cartoon classic.

        After you have colored Old St. Nick and his big pack of toys, set it aside to paste inside of a larger picture. You may need to practice drawing this fireplace smaller before adding it to a larger final drawing. Just take it slow, step-by-step and before you know it, you will have a very nice picture!

Left, "Just copy these two forms, and see a thing well known to you and me." Center, "Add curves and circles like those her; they'll help to make our picture clear." Right, "Some toys in stockings, a clock and vase give us a sketch of our fireplace."

Santa's Greeting Puzzle

      Santa Claus has invited the children to his workshop to look at some of the articles he is to give as presents. He has brought fourteen of the toys and placed them on the floor. "Now children," he says, "if you will arrange the names of the articles in their proper order you will find that the first letters spell a greeting."

Santa Loves Little Girls and Boys

I love little girls and boys,

And I like to bring

them candies and 

toys:

So, sleep sound,

And I'll come around

To leave you a bundle

of joys.

       Did you know that Lithuanians cover their Christmas Eve dinner table with layers of straw beneath the table cloth to symbolize the manger?

• Herring In Bedding? Christmas Traditions in Lithuania!
• How do Lithuanians celebrate Christmas Eve?

Above is a mystery puzzle; it is a picture of the toy Avery wants
most for Christmas. Print, cut and assemble the black and white
puzzle pieces to discover just what that toy is.

"Keep Christmas Merry"

Twas Christmas broached the
mightiest air
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale:
A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
The poor man's hart through half
the year.
* * *
Heap on more wood' the wind is chill
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still.

Sir Walter Scott

       Did you know that Brazilians celebrate Christmas Eve with a feast of delicious fluffy pancakes served with codfish cakes and toast? They save their famous cheese cake for Christmas Day.

 Try these cute cheesecake strawberry Santas by Carina. They would be a special treat that older kids could make for Christmas appetizers or desert.

Santa on the roof top ready to deliver presents to the children you draw inside.

        Now it's time to draw a Happy Christmas home filled with love and cheer! Include a fireplace for Santa to come down and don't forget to draw stockings for all those toys too! Draw a giant Christmas tree inside the house and trim it with glitter and stickers from the store.
 

Hidden Christmas Treasures

      There are six Christmas presents hidden in this picture. There are also four black letters which, when rightly arranged, spell the name of the present for Willie, and six outline letters which spell the name of the present for his sister Luiu.

Color Santa and The Children Who Visit Him

Here is old Santa bring lots of toys and goodies to all the good children. Color his coat and bag whatever color you'd like.

Description of Coloring Page: children, Victorian Santa, bag of toys, old-fashioned 

"I always come to visit you at Christmas-time each year,

 But every time I come along I miss a face that's dear;

Some girlie is a woman grown, some boy is now a man,

But while the crop of kiddies lasts I'll do the best I can

To make you shout instead of cry,

And make you laugh instead of sigh!"

Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

 

        Dear Old Santa is fun to color that's very true but here's another challenge for you. Draw an old-fashioned Christmas tree and trim it with lovely tinsel to see . . .

This tree is trimmed with baubles, candles that light and a tiny gate underneath branches. Draw it out in three easy steps on your paper, take your time.

       "At Christmas time every little boy and girl with a mother and father to make them happy should stop and think of the thousands of boys and girls less fortunate and do something for them, however small, to brighten their Christmas day. Dress up a doll of yours and give it to the little girl who has none. It will make her very happy. If it is a boy that you want to make happy why not give him your baseball bat or any other toys you can share? He will treasure them for a long time, and you will feel that "it is more blessed to give than receive.'' - Harriet L. Zinck, Age 11.

Santa Bug Puzzle

      Santa Claus is a funny old fellow, and the tiny Santa Claus is even more amusing. He has just left some toys and goodies for the Bugg family, and he has purposely labelled the boxes on the floor wrong, so that the little bugs will not be able to make out what is in them until they are opened.

      As a clue, we will say that the word printed on each box contains the name of the particular present in that box. What are the presents?

Color This Christmas Greeting from Santa

Santa rings in the spirit of Christmas giving every year for good little boys and girls. Color his
bell, sack, and face for fun.

Description of Coloring Page: bell ringing, sack of toys, dear old Santa Claus, text "Merry Christmas"

"Some good old-fashioned customs

Go out of style, no doubt,

But sending Christmas Greetings

We couldn't do without.

And so the custom lingers;

Let us hope it always will,

For the same old-fashioned friendship

Prompts the same old greetings still."

Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

 

 

        Below is a little book cover shaped like Santa Claus. Print this out, color the cover and cut out the shape of Santa. Trace around Santa on top of white typing paper. Then cut out several white pages the same shape as the cover around this tracing. Now you can staple both the Santa cover and the empty pages altogether along the dotted line. Fold the stack in half at this same dotted line and your book is ready for you to add anything you want to it. Write about your Christmas memories if you like.

 

Print, cut-out, and color this book cover shaped like Santa Clause.

More Fun Coloring Santa Claus:

• Santa framed by holly and mistletoe; he also carries a sack of toys!
• Santa Claus is coming to town! 
• Santa's best friend waits for him to fill his stocking...

A Puzzling Chimney

      Santa Claus got kind of mixed up when he went into this chimney. Can you cut out the bricks on the front of the chimney and put them back, rearranged, so they will form a perfect picture of Santa Claus?

A St. Nick Portrait Puzzle

      A puzzle for little folks' sharp eyes. Here you may find not only Santa Claus, but his deer and sleigh, a Christmas tree, a Christmas turkey, a bad little boy who was skipped by St. Nick, a good little boy and his good little sister and some of the toys they received. Print out the picture and spin it around to find all of the items mentioned.