"I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult."Numbers 24:17
An example card design for the clipart.
Description: Strange as though it may seem to some of you who live far away, stars and snowflakes are traditional decorations used by folks here, during Christmas in the Midwestern United States. This is because Christians celebrate the Savior's birth during the colder months, even though Christ was actually born sometime during our summer according to many bible scholars.
Supplies:
snowflake themed paper
snowflake paper punch
graphic of a Mexican folk nativity
pale blue, white and gold tissue papers
glue
scissors
Directions:
Cut the snowflake themed paper to match the size of any envelopes you may have on hand.
Then punch a selection of snowflakes from the white and gold tissue papers.
Print out the star graphic provided below.
Type and print inside of a WordDocument, "Star of Wonder" and then print this out in blue ink onto pale blue paper.
Glue the printed Mexican folk star on top of gold tissue paper and then cut a little fringe around the outside edge of the star.
Glue down these elements in a pleasing design on top of the fancy snowflake paper.
Glue this entire picture on top of an additional sheet of pale blue paper to make your finished Christmas card.
Printable Star of Bethlehem.
Quotes:
"Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." by Lucinda Franks
"Selfishness makes Christmas a burden, love makes it a delight." Unknown
"Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year." by A. F. Wells
Illustration: There once lived a family in the South whose rigid rule sent the children to bed at sundown and made them rise after daylight. One of the boys grew to the age of seven years before he ever saw the stars, and when he was carried out one dark night and caught a glimpse of the glorious constellations, he exclaimed rapturously to his mother: "Look! Look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?"
The return of Christmas brings into view the Star of Bethlehem. How many human eyes have never yet seen this Star!
A Letter from Denmark Christmas Eve in the Country Long Ago ERIK AND ELSE BY MARTHA C. MOLLER
"Oh, Christmas dear! thy starlight
Can reach the poorest place,
And the eyes of little children
Reflect its gentle rays!"
Mother was singing this verse behind that shut, mysterious door to the room where just now she had finished the decking of the Christmas tree; while the children were in the dining room in the twilight, listening and waiting. "Else, I say, it will really be Christmas Eve now, in a moment, won't it?" Erik said, and he added, "for-tu-nate-ly it will!" with a funny, emphatic stress on that long word, his byword at the time. Erik used it, differently accentuated, on all occasions, both when things were really all right as when he had got into some scrape or other and had barely managed to slink through. Boys are sure to get into a fix sometimes, are not they?
Darkness came on still more. The children, leaning against the window sill, were intently watching "Hans Cowman," the old herdsman, who passed the yard with his swinging lantern that seemed to jerk along the barns, disappearing at last through the stable door.
According to old customs all the cattle of the farm were to have an ample extra supply on Christmas Eve, so that every crib could be full on that holy night.
At length Hans and his lantern vanished into the groom's chamber, through the pane of which the children could see him stand before a broken bit of looking-glass water combing his hair energetically, as the most festive preparation he could think of.
The children's clear-sighted eyes could still discern the "bird's sheaf" on its high pole in the center of the yard. It was an old custom that the birdies should also have their feast during merry Christmas time; and the children were always eager to have that sheaf raised, so that they might run out in o the yard and sing a little verse they knew by heart, intending it to be a kind invitation to the birdies:
"Joy is a guest on earth to-day
With the new-born King from above!
Fly down from the roof, little Sparrow gray,
To a Christmas feast with the Dove!"
But no pressing was needed, for all day long one heard a twitter and a rush of busy, flapping wings, birds flying gladly to and fro. Also the children had been very busy all day long. They had to help their mother in dealing out goods to some poor women who were accustomed to come with their baskets on Christmas Eve and fetch their portions of pork, grits, coffee and white bread. And to the old and sick ones, lying in their beds at home, Else and Erik had taken good parcels and had been recompensed by small bits of sugar candy or some spice nuts, as nobody was allowed to go fasting or empty handed out of any house, lest he should carry Christmas itself out of the house."
Having come back from this round the children had found it most entertaining to stay for awhile in the kitchen, watching Ann, the cook, who was baking quantities of a sort of "apple dumplings," solid and roundish like little balls. Light brown and hot she piled them on earthenware dishes. Heaps of them were required, "for Christmas lasts long.' Besides, each of the servants was entitled to have plenty of his own, the more so as they used them as a sort of "play money," staking them when playing at cards. Nor were the men servants over-particular in the handling of these dear dumplings. For when they had "kept accounts," writing with a piece of chalk on the table top, they would simply wipe it out again with the dumplings, to put them gladly into their trousers' pockets at last.
But the children thought that the servants' hall was a "funny" place, where they liked to go and have a jolly time.
Then Ann began to prepare the festive supper. While the goose was roasting in the oven she cooked the rice pudding, and now came an exciting moment! For the children were allowed themselves to "plum the three almonds into the pudding," and the lucky one who found an almond in his portion while eating it would win the nicest of marcipan things, or even a real present! For last year Else had had a small cup and saucer.
The pudding being done Ann filled an earthen dish from the big pot and made a large butter hole in the center. That was to be supper for "the brownie, "- -on Christmas Eve he must not be forgotten. "And last year he ate up every bit of it!" Ann was most positive about that. Erik ran after Ann to see her place the dish at the hayloft; but, oh, look! what's that? A pair of yellow eyes are shining out from that dark nook near the chaff bin! Erik felt just a bit creepy, but he was comforted by seeing a stiff, gray tail sticking out near the eyes. Aha! it was only Pussy!
Indeed, there was no doubt about that porridge being eaten up, "every bit of it."
There was still another thing which on Christmas Eve ought never to be forgotten, the placing of a burning candle on the window sill of the lobby. For nobody must be out of doors, poor and forsaken, on this holy night; nobody must walk his lonely way home- less and sorrowful! Therefore lights are burning behind clear panes in the scattered houses; starlike they are shining out brightly into the darkness, as a kind welcome to every wanderer.
All these things came into the children's mind again, while waiting; but just when they were beginning to feel almost a little sad, a lamp was brought in and the maidservants entered, so nice and smart in their clean, white aprons. The coachman, Jens, and the water-combed Hans were following sedately.
At this very moment the doors to the big room flew open and there it stood, that wonderful Christmas tree! It was illuminated with lights, hung with tiny red apples, and its branches were covered with sparkling silver threads!
A joyful yet solemn feeling reigned in the room at first, while mother played the hymns and all the others sang them, walking around the tree.
Father then made the children look at the golden star at the top of the tree, which was to remind us, he said, of the Bethlehem star leading people to find the sweet Christ-child. And then the children's exultant joy broke forth irresistibly, and each ran to find his own gifts. Erik's eyes grew bigger and bigger at the sight of a veritable rocking-horse.
"Hurrah! fortunately I have got it!" he cried. Be sure he was in the saddle at once, and how glad he felt you will see from the picture! Little Else had the sweetest baby doll, with a cherry mouth, oh, such a dear! And so very convenient that the baby brought its own bottle and bag.
Also Hans Andersen's fairy tales with their funny pictures were there, and heaps of other lovely things. They laughed and chatted and made such a noise!
Baby sister only sat perfectly still, near mother; she stared incessantly at the tree, the lights of which were reflected in her big, blue eyes.
At last the Christmas candles burned down and the happiest night of all the year had come to an end.
The children were about to go to bed. The horse had been stabled for the night close to Erik's bed, so near that his hand could hold the rein. Else, on her bare feet, stole to the window once more to stare out into the darkness, a habit dear to her as to most true coun- try children. There was a star gleaming faintly above the big old lime tree, and Erik, from his bed, suggested it might even be "the Beth- lehem star itself." "No," Else said, "I think that one was greater and far more radiant, to guide the shepherds. Mind, father said one day that all children might come to see it!"
Yes, for-tu-nate-ly," it came in a sleepy voice from the trellis bed; and shortly after- wards Erik was sound asleep, his brown little fist squeezing the rein of the rocking-horse.
At daybreak on Christmas Day all the church bells were ringing, and the organ was playing while people sang the old hymn:
"All bells on Christmas morning blest
Are chiming for the Royal Guest,
Who would on men, so poor and low,
His gifts of peace and joy bestow!"
This is a DoJi Film: A Modern Christmas in Denmark.
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.
A walnut goldfish swimming between the branches of a Christmas tree.
This sweet little goldfish was made by using a half walnut shell. Goldfish come in all shapes and colors so, naturally you may wish to customize your own version.
First you will need to break a walnut in half and this should be done in advance of making this ornament craft with little ones. Go here to read how it is done.
Trace around the half shell on top of a scrap piece of thin cardboard.
Remove the shell and draw the fins and tail for the fish directly on the tracing of the walnut half.
Cut out the drawing with it's fins and tail.
Glue the half shell back on top of the cardboard cut-out using tacky white glue. Let dry.
Paint on the colors you wish for your fish to have.
Glue on the white bead for it's eye.
Glue a black pupil on top of the bead.
Coat the entire fish with Mod Podge to preserve the painted surface.
You may wish to glue a layer of decorative paper on the backside of the fish to finish it neatly.
Children may tear a snowman, his broom, carrot nose and maybe even a few squirrel friends to play along with him from white paper. Then mount the snow scene on top of black paper with white school glue.
This torn snowman is having so much fun playing with his friends!
Now your child can write a story or even dictate it to you while you write it down for him or her. Ask questions to get your little author in the mood to make up this story. They will enjoy reading it years later after the picture and this story exercise become another childhood Christmas memory.
Questions to Inspire A Story:
Is this a funny picture or a sad one? Why?
Who do you see?
Think up a name for your snowman.
What are the squirrels doing?
Do you think the snowman can understand the squirrels talking?
These charming folk are still traditionally sold at Christmas markets in and around Nuremberg. However, our photos below where once made by immigrant children who brought the tradition to America and although the old things don't always become popular here - these ideas can morph into other things that we recognize today...
To make an edible prune figure for Christmas day, gather the following together first from the market: dried dates, figs, prunes, raisins and a walnut for your character's head. You will also need strong and very clean wire plus a wooden platform, scrap fabrics, hand held drill and acrylic paints.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First cut a base from a clean log or purchase a wooden round from a dollar tree. Take time to refinish this wooden base in a way that you like it best, because you may wish to reused it year after year. Drill two holes into the base wherever your prune man or woman will stand just beneath their foot placement.
Now construct the prune man's body using food-grade stainless steel wire that is both non-toxic and rust-resistant. Give him legs made by poking one wire each into three prunes. Repeat the step for the second leg and firmly push the foot ends down into the holes made in the wooden display base.
Now twist the two legs at the top ends around a torso wire where the hip joints meet the main body.
Neatly poke four to five figs onto the single connecting wire, the size of your figure will dictate how many figs are needed. Some people prefer a torso made in the same way using dates instead of figs, this is dependent upon what you have available or what you may prefer to eat.
Now twist onto the torso wire a single long wire for the two arms, leaving a little wire at the top for attaching either a walnut head or a citrus fruit head.
The arms may be made of more prunes or even raisins or cranberries if you prefer.
Have an adult drill a small hole at the base of an English walnut so that the head may slip onto the end of the wire.
Paint a funny face on the walnut or orange using non-toxic acrylic paints. The head does not need to be 'cracked' open for eating if you would like to save it for another prune man in the future. Once you have decided to eat the dried fruit, simply store the head away inside of a recycled cookie tin for another year.
Use bits of trim and scrap fabric to make clothing and hats for your prune people; the more details you add, the cuter he or she will look. It has been said that keeping your prune man till Epiphany will bring good luck and wealth for the coming new year.
German immigrant children in America made these prune men to celebrate both the
Fall Harvest and Christmas in 1927. Top left, a german couple going to market, top
right, a man in his sleeping attire carries and candle and broom, Bottom left, is a
A game full of fun and excitement is "Holly Wreath Toss." Suspended in the doorway is a large holly wreath cut from green cardboard. The players, one at a time, are given a small ball of yarn or paper which they are told to throw through the holly wreath. Each player is allowed three throws; and if he or she succeeds the first time, they score fifteen points; the second time, 10 points; and the third time, five points. The player who has the highest. score wins. Depending upon the ages of the players, hang the wreath higher to increase the level of difficulty.
"Filling the Stockings" is a pleasant game and easy to play. The children are divided into two teams. At one end of the room are a bag of candies and a butter knife for each team, and at the other end of the room are two large stockings, one for each team. To start the game, the leader of each side picks up his butter knife, puts on as many candies as it will hold, and races to the goal at the opposite end of the room where he drops them into his team's stocking. Then he returns and gives the butter knife to the next player on his team to carries on the race in a similar manner. After every member of the team has opportunity to join in the race, the candies inside of each stocking are counted. The team with the most candy wins the race. If the team members drop candy during the race, this can not be included inside of their stockings.
"Blowing Out the Christmas Candle" is a jolly game and one that furnishes much amusement for a party. A Christmas candle, lighted, is placed on a sturdy table at it's center. The players are blindfolded one at a time and spun around three times before they must try to make their way to the table and blow out the candle with only one breath. The first person to successfully blow out the flame is the winner of this contest.
