The Symbols of Christ in Christmas The Real Christmas Story ...

CHRISTMAS

The Symbols of Christ in Christmas The Real Christmas Story Christmas Recipes and Crafts Written and Compiled with Love Janet Payne

The Symbols of Christ in Christmas The Manger O Come All Ye Faithful O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! The prophet Isaiah told about the coming of the Messiah–a child who was "God with us." His prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 is quoted in Matthew 1:23. Matthew tells how an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream right after he found out that the young woman he was going to marry was pregnant. The angel said: Matthew 1:23 Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel1, which means, "God with us." The Coming One was born as the prophet had said, but He chose to come as a baby to a poor, traveling family. Luke 2:1-7 tells how Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem with his pregnant wife. Since they were traveling, Jesus had to be born in an animal stable with a simple feeding box, a manger, for a bed.

1This is spelled Immanuel or Emmanuel. This was another name for the Messiah. © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

Luke 2:1-7 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 room for them in the inn. Away in the Manger, first and third verses Away in the manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head, The stars in the sky, look down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, Close by me forever, and love me, I pray, Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

Angels The angels have another announcement to make. Only this time it is not one angel in a dream, but a "great company." Luke 2: 8-14 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 of great joy that will be to all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

© Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains; And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous songs prolong? What the gladsome tidings be? Which inspire your heavenly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, our newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Hark, the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."


Silent Night Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing, "Alleluia!" Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light! Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

The Lamb of God Yes, Jesus came as a different kind of King and gave us a different kind of freedom– freedom from sin. At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist introduced Him as: John 1:29 "...the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Just as sacrificial lambs were killed to "take away" the people's sins, Jesus came to die to free us from our sin.


Isaiah 53:6 All we, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. The Lamb of God (sung to the tune "Emmanuel") The Lamb of God, holy Lamb of God His name is called the Lamb of God. He takes away the people's sin. His name is called the Lamb of God. O Little Town of Bethlehem, last verse The last stanza of the Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem is a prayer that speaks of taking away our sin, of Christmas angels, and of our Lord Emmanuel.

O holy child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide in us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

The Crown "Jesus, Lord at thy birth." "Glory to the newborn King." The carols are full of references to Jesus as King and Lord. Isaiah tells us some to the names given to the coming Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. As we study the life of Jesus, we are amazed at the authority he had to heal, to teach, to cast out demons, and to raise the dead. The people were expecting a Messiah who could do these things. However, many were © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

expecting a Messiah who would also take over as King and free the people from Roman rule. He did not come to free his country, he came to free all nations, not with an army, but with his own death. Jesus will return to earth as the King of Kings, but this time he came down to rescue us. What Child is This? What Child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The babe, the Son of Mary! Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love.

The “Hallelujah Chorus” in George Frederick Handel's Messiah quotes the last book in the Bible when it announces: The Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign2 for ever and ever, Hallelujah! King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and he shall reign for ever and ever, Hallelujah!3 2 To reign is to govern as king, to exercise the power and authority of a king. 3 Revelation 19:6b, 15, 16b modified © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

The Real Christmas Story The gospels of Luke and Matthew tell about Jesus' birth. They give different information so it is good to read both of them for a complete picture. Here's what the Bible tells us: From Luke and Matthew ®

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The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and said that he and his wife were going to have a son, even though they were very old. The angel said that the baby’s name was to be John. Zechariah's wife got pregnant. The baby became John the Baptist.4 The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a young woman. The angel told her that she was going to have a son, even though she was a virgin (a woman who had not had sex). He was Jesus the Christ or Messiah. Mary became pregnant. Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, found out she was pregnant. He had a dream that night. An angel told him that he needed to take care of Mary because this baby was from the Holy Spirit (God). The angel said that the baby’s name was to be “Jesus.” His name means “Savior.” He will “save his people from their sins.” Mary visited Elizabeth, the mother of John, in the hill country of Judea. Elizabeth was Mary's cousin. Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a Roman census. The Romans counted the people for tax purposes. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary had her baby. The town was very crowded because of the census. There was no room for them in the houses or inns, so they stayed behind one of the houses in a cave or stable for animals. Jesus was born. Mary wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger, a simple feeding box for animals.

4 He is also called John the Baptizer. © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

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The shepherds near Bethlehem were working at night. Angels came to the shepherds that night. They told them about Jesus. The angels said that they would find "a baby, wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” ®

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The shepherds hurried into Bethlehem and found Jesus. They told everyone what the angels had told them, that this baby was Christ the Lord. Joseph and Mary did everything the Jewish law required for a new baby and the mother. One law was called "purification." 40 days after a woman gave birth, she had to go to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate the baby to God.

At the temple, the family met an old man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he was going to meet the promised Messiah before he died. When he saw the baby Jesus, he recognized him as the Messiah. ®

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At the temple, the family also met a prophet named Anna. She was 84 years old and always prayed in the temple. She also recognized Jesus and told everyone. It appears that Mary and Joseph returned to Bethlehem to live for a while.

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Some people called Magi, probably Persian astrologers, saw a star in the sky at the time of Jesus' birth. They lived far away in the East, and were not Jewish. However, they thought that the star meant that a Jewish king was born. They travel to Jerusalem and met King Herod. They said, “Where is the one…born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Herod the king was disturbed. Herod called together the Jewish leaders. He learned from them that the Jewish Scriptures (the Old © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

Testament in the Bible) said that the Messiah was going to be born in Bethlehem. Now Herod was really upset. ®

Herod met with the Magi and found out the exact time the star appeared (about 2 years before). Herod told them to look for the child and report back. Herod said he wanted to visit the child, too. ®

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The Magi followed the star. “The star they had seen in the east 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.” They give gifts to the baby.

The Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. They went home a different way. An angel warned Joseph in a dream to go away to Egypt. He left quickly with Mary and Jesus. Herod was furious! He ordered all the male babies in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger to be killed. (Other history books tell us that Herod was so afraid of losing his position as king that he had three of his own sons killed!!) Herod died not too long after that. An angel told Joseph in a dream that it was safe to return home from Egypt. However, one of Herod’s sons was now ruling in Judea. It was not safe there. An angel told Joseph in another dream to take his family to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth where they used to live. This is where Jesus grew up.

Our calendar was supposed to start on the year of Jesus' birth, but the person who set up the calendar in the sixth century made a mistake. Jesus was probably born four years later. December 25 has been called the day of Jesus' birth since around 200 AD, but we do not know if that date is correct. However, there is more than enough historical evidence to prove that Jesus really lived and that the Bible is a true account of his life. © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

The Account from St. Luke The ancient biographies of Jesus are called “gospels,” which means “good news.” Good news is something we want to talk about, to spread around to others, to announce to the world! Luke begins his good news with two baby announcements. Proud parents will send cards or emails to say that their baby was born. God sent angels. Angels are messengers from heaven. They can look like a human, but they are something else. The Angel Gabriel took God’s message to two families. The angel told them that God was sending a child to each family. Each baby was unexpected; each birth was a miracle. One mother, Elizabeth, was old and not able to have children. Elizabeth’s husband worked in the temple.5 The angel came to him. The angel said God was going to answer their prayers. They were going to have a son. Her husband went home to his wife. Elizabeth became pregnant, and they had a baby boy. This baby became a famous prophet. He was known as “John the Baptizer” or “John the Baptist.” The other mother was young and unmarried. When the angel came to her, she was “greatly troubled.”6 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1: 32

Wow! A baby! But Mary was a virgin.7 She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, but she was not married. She believed the angel, but she had no idea how God was going to do this! She asked, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?” Luke 1: 34 The angel said, “The Holy Spirit will come on you and God’s power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 Mary cried, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” And Mary became pregnant.8

Luke 1:38

Joseph was a good man, but he had trouble believing Mary’s story about the angel and God. So the angel Gabriel came to talk to him in a dream. The angel told Joseph that the baby was from God, and Joseph believed him. Joseph took Mary home with him as his wife, but he “had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.”9 Mary and Joseph had to travel before the baby was born. They had to go to Bethlehem, the town of Joseph’s ancestor, King David. Each man in Israel had to register in their 5 The temple was the Jewish house of worship to God. 6 Almost everyone who sees an angel in the Bible is afraid! 7 A virgin is a woman who has never had sex with a man. 8 Joseph is not the father. God gave the baby to Mary without sex. 9 Matthew 1:21,24,25b © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

hometown so the government could count all the people in the Roman Empire. It was a long trip, and Bethlehem was very crowded. The time came for the baby to be born. Jesus was not born in a house. All they could find in that crowded town was a place for animals. He did not have a bed. All they could find was a feeding box for animals, called a manger. They wrapped Jesus in strips of cloth and put him in the manger. They did the best they could. What a quiet, dirty birth for the baby from God! Where is the angel? Luke gives the historical account in Luke 2: 1-20. This text is read each year as Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. 2:1

At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census10 to be taken throughout the

Roman Empire.11 Syria.

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2:3 Everyone,

When this first census took place,

Quirinius was the governor of

then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown. 2:4 Joseph

went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant12 of David.

2:5

He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 2:6

and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.

2:7

She

gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger13—there was no room for them to stay in the inn. 2:8 There

were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night

in the fields, taking care of their flocks.14

2:9

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and

the glory of the Lord shone over them.15 They were terribly afraid,

2:10

but the angel said

to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.

2:11

This very day in David’s town your Savior16 was born—Christ the

Lord! 2:12 And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths

10 Census: an official count of all the people (probably for taxes) 11 ESV: “all the world” 12 Joseph is in David’s family line. David is his ancestor – before him in time. 13 The cloths were the usual covering for a newborn baby. The manger, however, was a feeding box for animals. Jesus was born in a place where animals usually lived. 14 Shepherds are people who work with flocks of sheep. 15 Angels are special creatures from heaven who sometimes appear as humans. “Shone” is the past tense of “shine.” The “glory” probably refers to an amazing light. 16 Jesus’ name means “Savior,” one who saves, one who rescues. © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

and lying in a manger.” 2:13 Suddenly

a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises

to God: 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” 2:15

When the angels went away from them back 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.” 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 2:17

child.

When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the 2:18

All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said.

remembered all these things and thought deeply about them.

2:20

2:19

Mary

The shepherds went

back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.

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The shepherds all saw the angels. They all heard that “Christ the Lord” was born. Yet why did the angels come to them? How did they know that the angel’s message was true? The angel said, “And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Who would put a baby in an animal’s feeding box? They went into the city to look for him. When they found the baby and told the story, everyone was amazed. The Jewish people had been waiting for God to send the “Christ.”17 They knew he was coming to save his people, even though they did not fully understand what this meant. The gospels tell the good news “which will bring great joy to all the people.” If you were God, how would you come to earth? Why did He come? Why do you think He came at that time in history and to that little nation? Why do you think He came as a poor baby? “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2Corinthians 8:9

17 This word is Greek. The Hebrew word is “Messiah.” © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

Christmas Recipes and Crafts Christmas Fudge 3 cups chocolate chips (1 1/2 ounce bag) 1 can sweetened condensed milk A dash of salt (small amount) 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract * Cut a piece of waxed paper to fit an 8 or 9-inch square pan. Put it in the bottom of the pan. Begin by mixing 3 cups of chocolate chips, one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, and a little salt. Next, heat this slowly in a heavy pan over low heat until the chips melt. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the chips have melted. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for flavoring. Next, spread the mixture evenly into the 8 or 9-inch square pan (on top of the waxed paper). Chill the pan in the refrigerator 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto a cutting board, peel off the paper, and cut the fudge into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Holiday Cookies Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Cream together: 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar Beat into the bowl with the butter and sugar: 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla Mix together in a different bowl: 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 3/4 cups flour

My friend from Congo /France samples the food at a Christmas Craft and Cookie party at my house.

Add to the butter mix, one cup at a time, while you are stirring the mix. Divide the dough into 3 balls. Use flour to help you handle the dough. Roll or pat out each ball 1/8 inch thick. Cut cookies and put on a greased cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove immediately from cookie sheet.


Christmas Card Crafts Adapted with original wording from Recycled Crafts, http://www.sciswa.org/crafts.html#anchor423670 Also see http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/christmas/ornaments.html

Christmas Card Ornaments: Old Christmas cards are a great source for recycled Christmas crafts. One of the simplest, yet most elegant ornaments to make, consists of merely cutting out part of a card, punching a hole at the top and stringing a gold or other metallic thread or cord through the hole to hang it on the tree. For larger cards, use wire attached at two places to better support the card. My friends from Japan and China at the party at my house.

Christmas Card Balls: This ball ornament is a great way to use old cards. It consists of 20 small circles glued together on three sides. The circles can be any size. For a finished ornament that is between three and four inches wide, use a circle pattern that has a diameter of approximately 1 3/4 to 2 inches. Cut out 20 circles making sure the centerpoints of the images are in the center of the circle. Fold the circles to make three equal sides (along fold lines in the pattern below).

To Assemble : 1. Glue 5 circles together along 2 sides for the top of the ball. 2. Glue another 5 circles together along 2 sides for the bottom. 3. Glue 10 circles together along 2 sides to make a band to go in between top and bottom. 4. Glue top and bottom to center band. 5. Thread cord or metallic thread through holes that you have made on the top of the ornament (it might be helpful to use a large needle to thread it) for a hanger. Or use an ornament hanger or paper clip. © Janet Payne, December 8, 2002, revised 2003.

Glue circles together: Glue 5 circles together to make tops and bottoms:

Photo from the website:

Glue 10 circles together like this:

Putting this together can be confusing, but once you start working with the circles, you will figure it out. You can also make holes along the outer edges of all the circles and use yarn or decorative thread to edge it.

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Cinnamon Dough Ornament Recipe Adapted from http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmasfun/kids.htm

2 C. flour 1 C. salt 5 t. cinnamon 3/4 to 1 C. water Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in water gradually to make dough. (Tip: If it sticks to your hands - add more flour, If it crumbles - add water.) Knead (work with your hands) for 5-10 minutes until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out dough to desired thickness (from 1/4 - 3/4 inch thick.) Note: The thicker it is, the longer it will take to bake. Use cookie cutters to cut gingerbread people and holiday shapes. Use a straw or point to make a hole so you can hang the ornament. Bake for an hour or more at 325°F – until they are dry. Check a few times as it bakes. Let cool before you begin to decorate. Paint with acrylic paints. You can glue on buttons, ribbon, etc. If you like, coat with acrylic varnish when everything is dry.
