Spoon-fed – Christmas – A celebration (that I, at least, celebrate) for years; it has been spoon-fed. After St. Nicholas left again for sunny Spain (December 6), my parents and I went to get a real Christmas tree at a garden center or a Christmas tree store. Once we arrived home (resulting in lots of pine needles in the car and living room), the Christmas tree was placed in a Christmas tree stand and then decorated with lights, baubles, garlands, angel hair and beads. Under the tree there was the Christmas manger; a wooden stall with antique porcelain figures such as baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the 3 Kings (or Wise Men), a donkey and the ox (which are from the Old Testament), not to mention the angel, at the top of the stable. Later replaced by my first cat Fons.
But where did this tradition come from?
For this, let’s dig into the past of various traditions. Among the Ancient Germans, around midwinter (Dec. 21) they celebrated the midwinter feast in honor of the solstice in which the evil was displaced by the light. Among the Romans, the solstice fell on December 25. It is unknown to this day who instituted the celebration of Christmas in the fourth century (301-400).
Otto Fikentscher, Die Gartenlaube, ca. 1880.
Jan Gossaert, Adoration of the Kings, ca. 1510. London, The National Gallery.
‘Christ Mass’ – The word ‘Christmas’ originated from the word Christ; a celebration dedicated to the birth of Christ and refers to ‘christianization’, the ‘christianization’ of people; converting to Christianity. Mass, a Christian celebration of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, takes place on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day with both Protestants and Catholics visiting many churches to attend Mass.
Luther’s mythical Christmas tree – In 16th-century Germany, it was Protestant theologian Luther (1483-1546) who identified the Christmas tree as a symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ. Consequently, a tree was placed in churches in honor of Christ’s birth and later, in the late 19th century, people brought the tree into the living room. The baubles are a reference to the fruits of Adam and Eve, the peak at the top points to the star of the 3 Wise Men who pointed the way to the birthplace of Jesus (near Bethlehem). Whether Luther himself had a Christmas tree in his home remains to be seen, but a 19th century engraving depicts him with his family near a Christmas tree.
Bernhard Plockhurst, Luther and Christmas Eve, 1887.
HO – HO – HO – In the 19th century, the famous Santa Claus (who gives gifts during Christmas), makes his appearance. The American Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas and is a mixture with the British “Father Christmas. American author Washington Irving (1783-1859) described a Santa Claus based on the Dutch Sinterklaas in 1809. Reindeer, a sleigh, a chimney and a bag of gifts are attributes assigned to Santa Claus. British author Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote in 1843 the famous Christmas novel: A Christmas Carol of which there are several film adaptations.
John Leech, The Christmas Spirit of the Future and Ebenezer Scrooge, 1843.
Timeless Christmas – You can decorate your home both inside and outside in grand style; think of a big Santa Claus with reindeer, ‘snow’ on your window, Christmas garlands in the bedroom or bathroom, cozy Christmas decorations in the garden and so on. If you do not want to be exuberant and prefer more subtle? Then you can certainly find inspiration on the website.
Classic items – A classic example is the vintage Wedgwood bowl from England; place a Christmas garland (color of your choice) in the bowl, fill it with Christmas baubles and place the timeless, decorated item for example on a coffee table, windowsill or dining table. Candlelight at Christmas gives just that little extra warmth to your interior: place a number of candlesticks on the dining table with small vases (with Christmas baubles on them) from the Porceleyne Fles to make your dining table shine just that little bit extra! The hand-painted Delft Blue Jardinière from the Porceleyne Fles is a real eye-catcher! Just like the Wedgwood bowl, you can place a garland and Christmas baubles in it.
Wishing you a happy, white and warm Christmas!
Love, Rachelle
Sources:
– Linda Woodhead, An introduction to Christianity.
– Van Laarhoven, Beeldtaal van de Christelijke kunst.
– J. R. Porter, De verloren Bijbel.
– Erika Langmuir, The National Gallery Companion Guide.
– Historianet, https://historianet.nl/kerst/kerstboomverhaal-is-op-leugen-gebaseerd
– Martin Luther College, https://mlc-wels.edu/news-and-notes/2017/11/luthers-christmas-pageant/
– The Project Gutenberg, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm
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Timeless Christmas decorations in your home – Happy Days to you!
Spoon-fed – Christmas – A celebration (that I, at least, celebrate) for years; it has been spoon-fed. After St. Nicholas left again for sunny Spain (December 6), my parents and I went to get a real Christmas tree at a garden center or a Christmas tree store. Once we arrived home (resulting in lots of pine needles in the car and living room), the Christmas tree was placed in a Christmas tree stand and then decorated with lights, baubles, garlands, angel hair and beads. Under the tree there was the Christmas manger; a wooden stall with antique porcelain figures such as baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the 3 Kings (or Wise Men), a donkey and the ox (which are from the Old Testament), not to mention the angel, at the top of the stable. Later replaced by my first cat Fons.
But where did this tradition come from?
For this, let’s dig into the past of various traditions. Among the Ancient Germans, around midwinter (Dec. 21) they celebrated the midwinter feast in honor of the solstice in which the evil was displaced by the light. Among the Romans, the solstice fell on December 25. It is unknown to this day who instituted the celebration of Christmas in the fourth century (301-400).
Otto Fikentscher, Die Gartenlaube, ca. 1880.
Jan Gossaert, Adoration of the Kings, ca. 1510. London, The National Gallery.
‘Christ Mass’ – The word ‘Christmas’ originated from the word Christ; a celebration dedicated to the birth of Christ and refers to ‘christianization’, the ‘christianization’ of people; converting to Christianity. Mass, a Christian celebration of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, takes place on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day with both Protestants and Catholics visiting many churches to attend Mass.
Luther’s mythical Christmas tree – In 16th-century Germany, it was Protestant theologian Luther (1483-1546) who identified the Christmas tree as a symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ. Consequently, a tree was placed in churches in honor of Christ’s birth and later, in the late 19th century, people brought the tree into the living room. The baubles are a reference to the fruits of Adam and Eve, the peak at the top points to the star of the 3 Wise Men who pointed the way to the birthplace of Jesus (near Bethlehem). Whether Luther himself had a Christmas tree in his home remains to be seen, but a 19th century engraving depicts him with his family near a Christmas tree.
Bernhard Plockhurst, Luther and Christmas Eve, 1887.
HO – HO – HO – In the 19th century, the famous Santa Claus (who gives gifts during Christmas), makes his appearance. The American Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas and is a mixture with the British “Father Christmas. American author Washington Irving (1783-1859) described a Santa Claus based on the Dutch Sinterklaas in 1809. Reindeer, a sleigh, a chimney and a bag of gifts are attributes assigned to Santa Claus. British author Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote in 1843 the famous Christmas novel: A Christmas Carol of which there are several film adaptations.
John Leech, The Christmas Spirit of the Future and Ebenezer Scrooge, 1843.
Timeless Christmas – You can decorate your home both inside and outside in grand style; think of a big Santa Claus with reindeer, ‘snow’ on your window, Christmas garlands in the bedroom or bathroom, cozy Christmas decorations in the garden and so on. If you do not want to be exuberant and prefer more subtle? Then you can certainly find inspiration on the website.
Classic items – A classic example is the vintage Wedgwood bowl from England; place a Christmas garland (color of your choice) in the bowl, fill it with Christmas baubles and place the timeless, decorated item for example on a coffee table, windowsill or dining table. Candlelight at Christmas gives just that little extra warmth to your interior: place a number of candlesticks on the dining table with small vases (with Christmas baubles on them) from the Porceleyne Fles to make your dining table shine just that little bit extra! The hand-painted Delft Blue Jardinière from the Porceleyne Fles is a real eye-catcher! Just like the Wedgwood bowl, you can place a garland and Christmas baubles in it.
Wishing you a happy, white and warm Christmas!
Love, Rachelle
Sources:
– Linda Woodhead, An introduction to Christianity.
– Van Laarhoven, Beeldtaal van de Christelijke kunst.
– J. R. Porter, De verloren Bijbel.
– Erika Langmuir, The National Gallery Companion Guide.
– Historianet, https://historianet.nl/kerst/kerstboomverhaal-is-op-leugen-gebaseerd
– Martin Luther College, https://mlc-wels.edu/news-and-notes/2017/11/luthers-christmas-pageant/
– The Project Gutenberg, https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm