Tradition

December 22, 2014 (356/365): "Jesus' Birthday Cake" (#decemberphotochallenge Day 22: Tradition)

Ever since I little, we had a cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus each Christmas. 

Now we continue the tradition with Alec & Chase

2012 at Grandma's - Sweet :)

2013 at Grandma's - Sassy! (Too much sparkling grape juice!)

Peaceful

December 21, 2014 (355/365) #decemberphotochallenge Day 21: Peace

"You can't change the wind. You can, however adjust your sails."

(Good advice for inner peace, during the holidays and throughout the year.)

Significance

December 19, 2014 Photo (353/365): #decemberphotochallenge Day 19: Candy Cane

The next time you enjoy this traditional Christmas treat consider its significance. According to folklore, the choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in 1670 suggested that the little ones be given a piece of candy to keep them quiet during the Christmas Eve Living Crèche. A local confectioner concocted the first candy canes to silence the children while reminding them of Jesus' goodness. The canes are shaped like shepherds' staffs to help children remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The original candies were white to represent purity and the Virgin birth. In the 20th Century, the red stripes were added: a bold stripe to represent God's love and three fine stripes to represent the Holy Trinity. Peppermint is similar to hyssop, a mint used for purification and sacrifice in the Old Testament. It's flavor symbolizes the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for our redemption.

French Friday: Crèche

Beginning the first Sunday in Advent, we peer into crèche at Notre Dame de Paris, awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. In Provence, the Nativity expands beyond the Holy Family and shepherds to include santons -- "little saints" -- who represent typical towns people, family, and neighbors. In a traditional Provençal crèche, there are 55 individual figures representing various characters from Provençal village life. The first santons were created by Marseillais during the French Revolution when churches were forcibly closed and public displays of faith were prohibited. 

When I was in thirteen, my grandma gave me a crèche and each year she added pieces to it. Although it isn't nearly as detailed as a Provençal nativity, mine includes an angel named Gloria, a sleepy shepherd named Ephraim, and tiny goats on the roof! You can take the girl out of Door County, but...