#Cristes-messe

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe in 1131; in Latin, Dies Natalis.

Early Celebration

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church.

Saints Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts. Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts that in the Scriptures, sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday.

Arnobius can still ridicule the "birthdays" of the gods.

The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.

About A.D. 200, Clement of Alexandria says that certain Egyptian theologians "over curiously" assign, not the year alone, but the day of Christ's birth, placing it on 25 Pachon (May 20), in the twenty-eighth year of Augustus.

The December feast therefore reached Egypt between 427 and 433.

In Rome, the earliest evidence is in the Philocalian Calendar, compiled in 354, which contains three important entries.

In the civil calendar, December 25 is marked "Natalis Invicti."

In the "Depositio Martyrum," a list of Roman or early and universally venerated martyrs, under December 25 is found "VIII kal. ian. natus Christus in Betleem Iudæ."

De Santi (L'Orig. delle Fest. Nat., in Civiltæ Cattolica, 1907), following Erbes, argues that Rome took over the Eastern Epiphany, now with a definite Nativity colouring and, with increasing number of Eastern Churches, placed it on December 25.

Later, both the East and West divided their feast, leaving Ephiphany on January 6 and Nativity on December 25, respectively.

The earlier hypothesis still seems preferable.

Origin of Date

Concerning the date of Christ's birth, the Gospels give no help.

Upon their data, contradictory arguments are based. The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion.

Again, in winter, it must have been, then only field labour was suspended. However, Rome was not thus considerate.

Authorities, moreover, differ as to whether shepherds could or would keep flocks exposed during the nights of the rainy season.

Natalis Invicti

The well-known solar feast, however, of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on December 25, has a strong claim on the responsibility for our December date.

For the history of the solar cult, its position in the Roman Empire and syncretism with Mithraism have collected the evidence for the feast, which reached its climax of popularity under Aurelian in 274.

In 1700, Filippo del Torre first saw its importance.

It is marked, as has been said, without addition in Philocalus' Calendar.

It would be impossible here to outline the history of solar symbolism and language as applied to God, the Messiah, and Christ in Jewish or Chrisian canonical, patristic, or devotional works.

Hymns and Christmas offices abound in instances; the texts are well arranged by Cumont.

Liturgy and Custom

The fixing of this date fixed those too of Circumcision, Presentation, Expectation, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nativity, and Conception of the Baptist (cf. Thurston in Amer. Eccl. Rev., December, 1898).

Till the tenth century, Christmas counted, in papal reckoning, as the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, as it still does in Bulls.

Boniface VIII (1294-1303) restored temporarily this usage, to which Germany held longest.

The Crib (creche) or Nativity Scene

In 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi originated the crib of today by laicizing a hitherto ecclesiastical custom, henceforward extra-liturgical and popular.

The presence of ox and ass is due to a misinterpretation of Isaias 1:3 and Habakkuk 3:2 ("Itala" version), though they appear in the unique fourth-century "Nativity" discovered in the Saint Sebastian catacombs in 1877.

The ass on which Balaam rode in the Reims mystery won for the feast the title Festum Asinorum (Ducange, op. cit., s.v. Festum).

Hymns and Carols

The degeneration of these plays, in part, occasioned the diffusion of noels, pastorali, and carols, to which was accorded, at times, a quasi-liturgical position.

Prudentius, in the fourth century, is the first (and in that century alone) to hymn the Nativity, for the "Vox clara" (hymn for Lauds in Advent).

"Christe Redemptor" (Vespers and Matins of Christmas) cannot be assigned to Ambrose.

"A solis ortu" is certainly, however, by Sedulius (fifth century).

The earliest German Weihnachtslieder date from the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the earliest noels from the eleventh, the earliest carols from the thirteenth.

The famous "Stabat Mater Speciosa" is attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306).

"Adeste Fideles" is, at the earliest, of the seventeenth century.

These essentially popular airs, and even words must, however, have existed long before they were put down in writing.

[urlocalrambler]

devils night: unpopular opinion: michael crist edition.

michael was actually such a bad friend if you really think about it. this is so ironic because his character is built off the fact that he's diehard for his friends to the point of having insane loyalty to them. he's supposed to be loyal to the point where he chooses to torment rika for that friendship's sake, to the level where he struggles with choosing love/rika over the guys in corrupt.

but like,, he was also so rubbish as a friend and person. it may have been due to oversight and PD not thinking about the overarching relationships that clearly, but c'mon, michael escaped prison while his friends were sent in and has huge guilt over this...

yet, he never once thinks to help damon's sister, who he KNOWS exists and who he knows would be SUFFERING in a house run by big, bad gabriel torrance. he knows his best friend is in jail, that she was the only family damon cared about to the point of keeping her under wraps and hidden away from everyone, and yet, michael never reaches out or tries to help banks??

and michael also knows kai is agonising over her in hideaway, they're actively against damon at this time and he has this top secret info to his name, yet he never thinks to tell kai who banks really is. everyone (including PD) uses the argument michael minds his own business, but no he fucking doesn't, if he did then he never would've messed with nik back during devils night or threatened her at the hotel.

the fact is that we should've either gotten a humanising moment/mention of michael actually being sweet for once in his life, and see him at least keeping an eye on banks if not reaching out while damon was in prison (although, i think it would've been a great platonic bonding scene if he had sought her out before the events of hideaway even if it's just to offer her an out that she may not take, or to simply ask how she is). OR, michael perving on banks that one night, him discovering she's damon's sister– that whole thread should've been omitted because it honestly made no sense to me and just made me dislike michael even more.

[apenitentialprayer]

Hi, perhaps a silly question, but why is it called Christmas, the mass of Christ, when every mass is "of Christ"? Like, why isn't it called Birthmas or something?

That is not a silly question, because I don't have a clear answer for this, either!

We call it Christmas ("Christ's Mass") in English following a tradition going back at least a thousand years; our oldest English name for the holiday was Cristes-messe. The roughly contemporary High Middle German name for the holiday was Diu Wīhe Naht ("the Holy Night"), while the French were calling it Noel (related to the Latin word for "birth," as in "birthday," as in "Christ's birthday"). So there seems to have been variations on what exactly to call the holiday at the beginning of the second millennium, at least.

So, in some languages there is a name for the holiday that explicitly emphasizes the birth of Christ; Latin and its descendants do this. But the Germanic languages seem to have more variability in what they call the holiday. English is Christmas, as already established, and Dutch follows this naming scheme (Kerstmis); German uses Weihnachten, which pluralizes the High Middle German to "Holy Nights," referring to the twelve days of Christmas; whereas the Scandinavian languages use some variation of Jul, which just means midwinter holiday and where English also gets the word Yule.

Why this variation exists, I cannot tell you, sorry.

[mooneytried]

Idk what happened but I MADE A NEW COPPERRIGHT FANKID LOL

Her name is Anastasia "Tasie" Lavinia Copperbottom. She is the eldest child of Reginald and RHM. Despite being adopted much later than Cristiano, she is older by four years.

She takes after RHM more in personality. Often prerry serious and reserved, but has a more laid-back, loving and playful personality towards her personality. She's rather mysterious, not much is known about her by most people, and she prefers it that way. She's intelligent, straight-forward and very much intimidating. She is also physically strong too, being rather tall as well.

She is very family oriented. Despite being sent to the airship division to train to become a Toppat, she still visits her family as much as she can, and to especially mess with her little brother.

Other facts about Tasie

-she is greek-italian

-loving

-loves dancing and history

-loves white

-favorite flowers are lilies, jasmine, dasies

-lesbian

-similar to rhm in personality, is closer to reg (opposite of crist)

-smells like her favorite flowers, and often carries those flowers around

[crazycoke-addict]

In Defense of Criston Cole

Ser Christon Cole is an important character in the house of the dragon. He has history with the two main characters, Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent. The choices that he makes are mostly bad. There is reasoning than more than just him being a hotheaded man who isn't over the rejection from the princess.

Through the fan's eyes, Criston Cole is an incel who hates Rhaenyra because she chooses to become Queen rather than wanting to be with him. While that may be true, when looking at the context. It's more than just rejection but rather the fact that he broke his oath as a kingsgaurd. What's more messed that it was requested by Rhaenyra that he became a Kingsguard in the first place. While yes, in the scene where Criston and Rhaenyra slept together. Criston could've just rejected her. Through their power dynamic, he can't. Rhaenyra, who is a high noble princess and also the heir to the iron throne. She pretty much abused her power.

Alicent is the only person who knows about this and could use this secret to her advantage in the long run, but because of her bond with Criston and she was holding out for a friendship with Rhaenyra. She chose to keep it a secret. Criston Cole broke his oath by sleeping with Rhaenyra, and instead of Rhaenyra feeling any remorse and regret. She instead disposed of him because she was trying to prove something.

I also would like to mention that Rhaenyra was complaining about having to do her duty and that she wished for freedom. So, Criston probably thought she slept with him to escape, so that only logical was marriage. Criston not only felt used but also betrayed to the one person with whom he had built a relationship.

The only person who knows about this is Alicent Hightower. Alicent has the power to tell Viserys about this. This would cause Criston to be tortured and possibly for Rhaenyra to be step down as the heir. It's a strategic plan that Otto would've done in order to make Aegon heir. But she chooses to keep it a plan because her forming a bond with Criston and her holding out hope for a friendship with Rhaenyra.

Many people see the relationship between Criston and Alicent as them only bonded because they both hate Rhaenyra, but it's more than that. They were both sexually exploited by people who had power over them. Alicent was married to Viserys when she was just a teenager while Criston is a low rank kingsgaurd who wasn't in a position to say no to Rhaenyra.

As the show goes on, Criston Cole is shown to be acting as the surrogate father for Alicent's children, Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond. During the fight between him and Harwin Strong. It is likely that he provoke Harwin by insulting Rhaenyra's children because in the house of the dragon, Harwin is the father of Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. To prove the strong boys' legitimacy. However, I do believe that he genuinely cares for Alicent's kids.

The scene where Harwin punches Criston and the scene where Jace punches Aemond. Both Criston and Aemond laugh it off. It's a parallel that the show put in as in a way that Criston pretty much became their dad after Viserys neglected them. This trust that he built with them plays a role involving Criston becoming the hand of the King for Aegon, and Aemond is more comfortable talking to Criston than he does with anyone else.

When it comes to his relationship with Helaena, she is shown to trust him. When Rhaenys storms in the dragonpit on Meleys, Criston is shown protecting Helaena. Heleana is also touching Criston's arm as a seek for comfort. Through the show, Helaena is shown to hate physical touch, including her mother. She would either flinch or flat out reject it. Him and Helaena don't have scenes together, but this little interaction shows Helaena is comfortable about Criston.

Aegon, Aemond, and to the extent Helaena is shown to listen and follow Criton's orders without question. When Aegon told Aemond that he could have the throne, Aemond was considering it until Criston told them that Alicent is waiting for them.

To say that Criston's only characteristic is hating Rhaenyra because of what happened is absurd even though he had many chances to make Alicent's kids hate Rhaenyra but it was Rhaenyra that broke the trust when she said Aemond should be sharply question because he called Luke and Jace bastards. This is after her son Luke slashed Aemond's eye, and because of Viserys favouritism, Luke got no repercussions for it.

After the death of Viserys. Alicent tells the council that Viserys has changed his mind about his heir. At that time, Alicent genuinely believes that the aegon Viserys is talking about is her aegon. During the small council, Alicent realises that the men in the council were already planning to put Aegon on the iron without her knowledge, and even if she chose to keep what Viserys said a secret. It will play out the same.

Lord Beesbury stands up for Rhaenyra and accuses the council of poisoning Viserys. I've been arguing with people on tik tok about this, and their response is "well, he was accusing everyone," but the thing is, Alicent is everyone, so he is also accusing her more than anyone. She was the one who told the same council about Viserys' dying wish so she is partially responsible even though she didn't know the plan.

Criston had to witness Alicent and her children neglected by that man. Then, in later years of Viserys life, he called her aemma, the woman that he killed because he wanted a son even during the times Alicent was taking care of him. So, for Lord Beesbury to accuse her of poisoning Viserys and to get her son on the iron throne. It triggers Criston because nobody was ever devoted to Viserys and took care of him more than Alicent did.

Ser Criston killing Lord Beesbury was a bad move on his part, but to say that he did it because he's a sensitive person just shows the lack of understanding that people have on this character. Ser Criston wasn't even part of the conversation, and he didn't kill Lord Beesbury until he started accusing Alicent of murder.

During Laenor and Rhaenyra's wedding, Joffrey Lonmouth hints that he knows Criston's secret about him breaking his vow. While joffrey could've heard it from somewhere else. Ser Criston believes that Rhaenyra has been spreading gossip about their relationship, which soils Criston's name and him as a knight more.

After beating Joffrey to death, Criston heads over to the goodswood in an attempt to take his own life. In this scene alone, Ser Criston Cole should've been seen as a person with induced trauma that him wanting to take his own life really affect his mental health. But fans choose to ignore this scene because they just don't like Criston.

Ser Criston Cole just wants to be seen as an honourable knight, and the only person who sees this is Alicent Hightower. Alicent sees Criston as who he really is, and that is more than just him hating Rhaenyra because she rejected him.

[shitty-short-stories-anonymous]

Jesus Crist darling. I can't read the extra fun stuff... anyway, just sending something from one of my accounts. We will see which one when you respond. But more or less keeping this for later.

I changed the color a bit so it should be legible now

I’ve been messing around with the colors for a while

Also I got really excited when you followed this blog ngl

[scorbleeo]

Book Review: Corrupt

Devil's Night (Book 1) by Penelope Douglas

Source: Google Images

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

ISBN: 9781518783876 (2015) | Source: Goodreads

Enjoyable but Also WTF?

Going into this book, I already expected to read some messed up things but I am slightly taken aback that the level of messed up did not reach my expectations? For example, that whole revenge scheme? Taking away everything felt so mild and other than the assault that really disappointed me (in terms of the boys disappointing me), the only thing the boys did that I thought was edging towards evil was that box of remembrance. Maybe because I am a rather sentimental person so I cannot imagine what kind of hell I would rain down if someone destroyed my box of remembrance. Unfortunately, that "act of evil" was not even a planned event, it happened coincidentally just because box was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I would have called that pathetic.

Moving on to the attempted assault, I lost so much respect for Rika, honestly. I knew it was a misunderstanding from a severe lack of communication and so much miscommunication, but her forgiving them for attempting it was just, pathetic. Rika really should have more backbone in this regards and at least get some revenge. Instead, she slept with Michael. Utterly pathetic.

Something else I was not a big fan of. The boys constantly described Rika as fearless and a little screwed up but I don't see that at all. What I saw was a privileged girl with kinks and some amount of guts, that's all. Personally, Alex was a much better badass than Rika. Rika's character arc is something I don't quite like in the female characters I read about.

Corrupt might have been full of flaws but on some level, I enjoyed my reading time with it. Rika's relationship with Michael was boring but I loved reading about Kai. The way Douglas wrote the scenes of Kai with either Rika or Michael were filled with so much tension, it was so fun to read them. I guess that's probably why the threesome was unexpected but I do not mind it.

Oh, before I end this review. Trevor? Man, that boy is one of the most pathetic people I've ever read about.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

P.S.: Do not let my over-usage of pathetic take away the fact that I still ultimately enjoyed the book.

[persephones-journey]

For Carwyn's Jul/Cristes-messe.

Uhtred would be horrified by the solemnity of the Christ's Mass. I think he would say something like, "how can you call this a celebration? Everyone looks to be in mourning!" Alfred would give him some droll, pious explanation that Uhtred would scoff at, then he'd invite Alfred to see a true winter celebration.

Alfred would look upon the wild heathens stoically, a hand pressed to his stomach, because he would without question be incredibly stressed out, resulting in an IBS flare. He would want nothing to do with hearing the stories of Odin, in his sled pulled by Sleipnir (the eight-legged horse), leading the Wild Hunt across the sky with the souls of the year's deceased human and animal souls following him across the sky. Or tales of the Yulebokk coming to visit each home to ensure that the decorations and tributes are set up just right. Or songs being sung in worship of Sol, the sun goddess, to strengthen her return after the solstice.

But the warm spiced cider smelled delightful (even if he was unable to drink it), and the singing and dancing was light-hearted and amusing.

And while he really had no interest in the reasons for their Yuletide, hearing the skald telling the aforementioned stories would intrigue him - purely for educational reasons, of course. And though he would never, ever admit it, seeing the joy on the faces of the pagans, especially the children, touched something within him.

Carwyn would probably just sigh, knowing that it wouldn't make a difference in the long run, but she'd undoubtedly make some wisecrack when she sees Alfred actually smile.

I love it. 🥰

[ahotcutea]

It's all falling apart

this is a rant, you can skip this:

Everything is falling apart, everything, literally.

I started going to college and what I thought was going to be fun and cute and all aesthetics isn't, it's not just studying, it's everything !! everything !!!

Today was going so well, I drove to school for the first time by myself, grabbed an apple crist Starbucks coffee on the way, went to the library, and studied until my class, my day was going good, I did decent on my quiz and was happy enough, I then went to crochet club and had so much fun, I really liked the friends I made and all the people I was with.

I left happy, I felt so great, I called my mom and talked for a bit before driving, set the GPS, and was on my way, I turned the wheel to the side, and the next thing I knew I heard a nightmare, just metal, and scraps- today was the first time I ever drove and I messed it all up. I pitifully sucked up my tears walked to the police station and reported myself - I was on the verge of crying but I didn't cause my makeup would've gotten ruined.

This may not seem like a big deal, and my life may not seem like it's falling apart, but I feel it, I feel everything getting ruined, I feel it. I know that this car accident will be followed by something else, maybe a failed grade and my life feels miserable.

it's a first-world problem, but I'm a first-world girl

I want to sleep forever, I don't want to die, but I don't want to live, I want to sleep, and sleep, and sleep. I miss my old life, I miss being homeschooled, with the assigned weekly work that I would get done in one day and just read and get lost in the world and books.

I feel like it is all going to fall apart, I have it in my heart, it is my intuition just yelling at me, my heart tugging at my tears, my life is going to fall apart, and I know it

[unfilodaria]

Considerazioni del mattino (di chi non c’ha altro di meglio a cui pensare)

Che poi, ci sto a pensare: uno dei miei maggiori difetti è pensare di essere migliore di quello che sono. Qualcuno lo scambia per superbia o essere scostante. No, in realtà, se ci ragiono, per taluni aspetti sono migliore se non superiore alla media delle persone che mi circondano. Uno dei miei pregi è essere curioso della vita, il che mi porta ad avere interessi diversificati, passioni, amore per la cultura. Ma non tanto da giustificare il mio sguardo distaccato verso gli altri. La verità, se esiste una verità, è che mi sembra di essere solo nel quotidiano anche in questo campo, perché con chi mi rapporto quotidianamente (parlo del lavoro ovviamente) non gliene frega niente di sfogliare un libro, di sentire musica, di restare perplesso o incantato dinanzi a un quadro, di amare la fotografia. Ma poi, nel momento in cui mi confronto con qualcuno che frequenta ambienti migliori di quelli che abitualmente bazzico per forza di cose, ecco saltare fuori tutti i miei limiti e non so se vergognarmi della protervia quotidiana o dei limiti evidenti che escono fuori e che desidero ardentemente colmare. Siamo quello che siamo, che costruiamo giorno per giorno, mattoncino dopo mattoncino e il nulla quotidiano mi avvilisce. Ma alla fine, e lo chiedo anche a voi, chi è più felice? Chi sa o tenta di sapere? O chi si accontenta del proprio essere? O meglio chi non se ne frega nulla del proprio essere e si fa bastare l'omologazione del nulla? E tutto questo sapere, se mai ci fosse davvero, perché anche questo può finire nella vanagloria di chi vuol mostrare al mondo che fa cose, che è impegnato, non è uno spreco di risorse e di tempo? E quanta felicità ci regala o quanta insoddisfazione ci lascia? A volte penso che il non sapere ci possa rendere almeno meno infelici. Ed infine, il sapere o il fare, che non trasuda affatto dalle foto, nelle quali prevale impietoso il proprio aspetto fisico, a cosa serve se, prendi ad esempio, i siti di dating, tu vieni totalmente ignorato e l'algoritmo, in una sorta di fiera della vanità al contrario, ti propone solo povere criste che dalle foto stanno messe peggio ma molto peggio di te, soprattutto perché propongono immagini di sé impietosissime in pose e mise che Dio ce ne scampi e liberi, ponendoti la domanda "allora faccio anch'io così schifo?" Tutto questo brillare interno a cosa serve se non riesce ad emergere fuori, dalle espressioni e dalle foto, relegandomi tra gli sfortunati che devono restare soli o frequentarsi tra di loro? Cosa ci rende così inattraenti? Perché penso che in quella vetrina impietosa che sono i social con le loro immagini, tutto il brillare interno, il sapere non emerga affatto, anzi ci condanna ad una insignificanza boriosa e cattiva, con una spocchia che sa di acido perché in fondo nessuno ti caga. Allora serve sapere? O serve apparire?

(Che poi tutto questo sa di un inutile ed insopportabile ed insignificante piangersi addosso)

[daimonclub]

Christmas story

Christmas Story Christmas story, customs and traditions in Great Britain, Ireland, and London by English-culture blog plus other links to our posts on Christmas festival. In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'. Dave Barry Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! Charles Dickens Were I a philosopher, I should write a philosophy of toys, showing that nothing else in life need to be taken seriously, and that Christmas Day in the company of children is one of the few occasions on which men become entirely alive. Robert Lynd The name Christ itself was borrowed into Old English from Latin Christus, which in turn came from Greek Khristós. This meant literally ‘anointed’, and came from the verb khríein ‘anoint’. It was a direct translation of Hebrew meshiah (source of English messiah), which also meant literally ‘anointed’. Christian is derived, of course, from the name of Christ. It is a surprisingly recent word, having been introduced in the 16th century from Latin Christianus, replacing the existing English adjective christen, which came from Old English cristen. The latter was the basis of the Old English verb cristnian, from which we get modern English christen. Christmas" is a shortened form of "Christ's mass". It is derived from the Middle English Cristemasse, which is from Old English Cristesmæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038 followed by the word Cristes-messe in 1131. Crist (genitive Cristes) is from Greek Khristos, a translation of Hebrew "Messiah", meaning "anointed"; and mæsse is from Latin missa, the celebration of the Eucharist. Christmas: "Church festival observed annually in memory of the birth of Christ," late Old English Cristes mæsse, from Christ (and retaining the original vowel sound) + mass. Written as one word from mid-14c. As a verb, "to celebrate Christmas," from 1590s. Father Christmas first attested in a carol attributed to Richard Smart, Rector of Plymtree (Devon) from 1435-77. Christmas-tree in modern sense first attested 1835 in American English, from German Weihnachtsbaum. Christmas cards were first designed 1843, popular by 1860s; the phrase Christmas-card was in use by 1850. Christmas-present is from 1769. Christmas Eve is Middle English Cristenmesse Even (c. 1300). The Christmas Story in a Nutshell Jesus in Manger. Wise men bring first Christmas gifts It all started with the Angel Gabriel just over 2000 years ago. The Angel Gabriel proclaimed that Mary would have a very special baby and that the newborn would called Jesus. If we move forward to Bethlehem, Mary and her husband Joseph, went to town to pay their taxes. Unfortunately, there was nowhere for them to stay, so they took shelter in a stable. There in Bethlehem, in a manger, the baby Jesus was born. A bright star in the East guided wise men to the stable. They brought with them gifts Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. This informal ceremony has extended to the celebration of Christmas as we know it today.

Christmas story and traditions The Christmas Story - The Version from the King James Bible. Matthew Chapter 2. Jesus in Manger. Wise men bring first Christmas gifts 1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also 9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. SAINT NICHOLAS (Santa Claus) ON CHRISTMAS EVE (December 24th) He comes to visit every child on the night before Christmas. The children hang stockings on the end of their beds and Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, as he is often called) fills them with toys. Santa comes from Greenland in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, he lands on the roofs of houses and comes down the chimney to bring presents for the children. The children write letters to Santa Claus a few weeks before Christmas and leave them in the fireplace. In Britain December 31st is called New Year's Eve and January 1st, which is a public holiday, is New Year's Day. The Scots have another name for the New Year holiday, it is called Hogmanay- and in Scotland it is the most important holiday in the year. Friends and relations meet and have parties to see the new Year in. They eat and drink and sometimes dance and sing. At midnight they have a drink and wish each other "A happy new year". In Scotland, and in many parts of England, people visit their friends after midnight, this is called "first-footing". If your first visitor after twelve o'clock is a tall, dark man with a piece of coal and sometimes a herring in his hand, you will be lucky for the whole year! The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day and January 6th is called Twelth Night. CHRISTMAS DAY December 25th It is 1.30 on Christmas Day and the Browns are eating their Christmas dinner. Mrs Brown's father is carving the turkey and Mrs Brown is serving ... Mrs Brown: I hope the turkey's cooked properly, Father. Father: It looks fine to me. Mrs Brown: Will you have ham and sausages with your turkey, Barbara? Barbara: Yes, please, Mum. Mrs Brown: And bread sauce? Barbara: Yes. Mrs Brown: And chestnut stuffing? Barbara: Oh yes - I'll have everything. Mrs Brown: Here you are then. Barbara: It looks delicious. Pass the gravy, please, David. Mrs Brown: Don't wait for us, Barbara. Start yours or it'll get cold. Now, David, what'll you have? ... And after the main course the Browns had Christmas pudding with brandy butter, mince pies with cream followed by nuts and fruit and coffee. Then they all pulled crackers. Inside each cracker there was a coloured paper hat, a joke and a small toy - a whistle or a doll perhaps. (A Christmas cracker is a cardboard, very thick paper that is used for making boxes, tube covered in coloured paper and containing a small present. Crackers are pulled apart by two people, each holding one end, at Christmas parties. They make a loud noise as they break. After such a large meal - and a lot of washing up - they all settled down to watch the Queen on television. In the evening they went carol singing with the church choir and visited an old people's home. This is one of the Carols they sang. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day. I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning. And what was in those ships all three, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day? And what was in those ships all three, on Christmas Day in the morning? Our Saviour Christ and His lady, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; Our Saviour Christ and His lady, on Christmas Day in the morning. BOXING DAY December 26th It's the day after Christmas - a Bank holiday - and David is sitting in the stalls of the Palladium Theatre with his Aunt Kate and his little cousin, Emma. They are watching the pantomime, Babes in the Wood. It's the first time Emma's been to a pantomime and so she's asking a lot of questions. Emma: Why's that man dressed as a woman, Mummy? Aunt Kate: It's just funnier that way. There's always a man like that - usually he's somebody famous - that's Arthur Askey and he's pretending to be the children's mother. Emma: He's rather ugly, isn't he? ... And why are there two men inside that horse? Can't they get a real one? David: Well, it would be a bit difficult to have a real horse on the stage - it might get frightened by all the noise. Emma: Why did the man leave the children in the wood? Aunt Kate: What a lot of questions you ask! Now, shh! Watch. Arthur Askey's going to take the children to Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest ... Customs, story and traditions St Nicholas was the bishop of the Italian town Bari. He was a very good and generous man. He died in December and parents started giving gifts' to their children on the anniversary of his death, in order to remind them of the saint's generosity. At the end of the Roman Era and during the Middle Ages, Europe was far more united than we can imagine: pilgrims' travelled to sanctuaries, scholars' went from one university to another - and so St Nicholas, or Nicolaus , became known all over Europe. And in northern Europe Santa Claus, who brings gifts during the Christmas period, is still St Nicholas from Bari with his new northern name.

Indoor Christmas decorations Yet, in the original Celtic tradition there were two other people who brought gifts during winter. Of course you know them. One is the Italian Befana, who is a good witch on her way back from the witches' Sabbath. The others were the tiny' gnomes from northern Europe, who lived in old trees in the forests. They also wore a big red hood'. A little girl who spoke to wolves' and walked in the forest wearing a red hood and carrying gifts is no doubt known to you: Little Red Riding Hood. All over Britain, around Christmas time, children are taken out for a special treat - a pantomime or a circus. A pantomime is a kind of comedy play with singing and dancing, based on a well-known fairy story or folk-tale such as Aladdin, Cinderella or Babes in the Wood. Sometimes one story is mixed with another. The Babes in the Wood that Emma saw took place in Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood had to save the children from the Sheriff of Nottingham. Pantomimes have certain traditions. There is usually a 'Principal Boy' or hero, who is actually a woman dressed in men's clothes - except that 'he' doesn't wear trousers, but stockings and high heels instead! There is a “Dame” - an old woman acted by a man dressed in women's clothes. There is always a villain (a man or a woman who tries to harm the hero) and often there is a comic animal played by one or two men. The audience is often asked to join in It sings popular songs, it hisses or boos t e villain, and it tries to warn the hero or the Dame when something bad is going to happen. However, all pantomimes have a happy ending - usually a beautiful and romantic wedding scene. Why is December 26th called “Boxing” Day? In the old days, servants, shopkeepers and other people who performed a service for the rich used to come to their houses with a box and be given presents and sometimes money. The custom still continues in a way, but only with people who deliver things or take them away - like milkmen, postmen, newsmen, newspaper boys and dustmen. Christmas Meals in the United Kingdom & Ireland. What is now regarded as the traditional meal consists of roast turkey, served with roast potatoes and parsnips and other vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding, a heavy steamed pudding made with dried fruit, suet, and very little flour. Other roast meats may be served, and in the nineteenth century the traditional roast was goose. The same carries over to Ireland with some variations.

London streets Christmas lights decorations From glittering Christmas lights and ice skating to traditional markets and Christmas shows, London is a Christmas wonderland. After a festive meal, where better to burn off energy gliding around the Christmas tree at the Natural History Museum’s magical ice rink. London has plenty of other rinks to pirouette upon, including Skylight’s rooftop rink, with impressive city views, or cutting your crystal in the rink of the Tower of London, outside the Queen’s jewels. London rinks sell hot chocolate to warm hands and cockles after whizzing around the ice. You can see the beautiful Oxford Street Christmas lights shimmer in the skies above the world-famous shopping district and check out one of the quirkiest London Christmas lights displays, glowing across the 13 streets of cool Carnaby. Admire the gorgeous mistletoe chandeliers at Covent Garden, and explore the magical Christmas lights in nearby Seven Dials. See the luxurious area of Bond Street sparkle with magnificent Christmas lights or marvel at more than 300,000 Christmas lights and 16 glowing spirits glittering above Regent Street. You can also sing along to carols around Trafalgar Square’s world-famous Christmas tree and support your favourite furry friends at the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home Carol Concert. You may also be part of traditional Christmas carols at the historic St Paul’s Cathedral. Or join in with carols by candlelight at the Royal Albert Hall and enjoy carols and concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The word nativity comes from the latin word 'natal' which means birth (and is also where we get the word 'native' from). It is traditional in the UK for Primary (Elementary) schools to perform Nativity Play for the parents and local people associated with the school. The Nativity Play recreates the scene of Jesus' Birth and tells of how Mary and Joseph were visited by the Shepherds and Wise Men. The parts of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men are played by children. If the school is attached to a Church, the play often takes place in the Church. Sunday Schools in Churches also sometimes put on Nativity Plays. In the past, it was common for live animals including an ox and donkey and other farm animals (but not pigs) to be used in the plays. Sometimes they still are, but it is now more common for children to dress up as the animals in costumes or to have animal props. The first Nativity Play was not performed by Children in the UK, but in a cave by Monks in Italy! St. Francis of Assisi and his followers acted in the first play in 1223 to remind the local population that Jesus was born for them, as he was born into a poor family like theirs and not to a rich family.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. St. Francis told the part of each character in the story himself using wooden figures in the play. After a couple of years, the play had become so popular that real people played the parts of the characters in the story. Songs were sung by the people taking part and they became what we call Christmas carols today! Now cribs are used in Churches all over the world and even in some homes (we have a wooden one in my house) to remind people of the story. Sometimes religious pictures and statues are called icons. Some Catholic and Orthodox Christians have icons of Mary and the baby Jesus in their homes. In some countries such as Italy and Malta, and many South American countries, the crib is the most important Christmas decoration. The city of Naples, in Italy, has used cribs to decorate houses and Churches since the 1020s! That's even before St. Francis of Assisi put on his play. Naples is also the home to the world's largest nativity crib scene. It's in the 'Museo Nazionale di S. Martino' and has 162 people, 80 animals, angels, and about 450 other smaller objects. Find out more about Nativity cribs in Naples in Italy. Nativity Scenes called 'Pessebres' are popular in the Catalonia region of Spain. Cribs also have a long tradition and importance in Malta, where they are called 'Presepju'. There's a special society that keep the tradition alive. Find out more about Nativity cribs in Malta. And now enjoy some proverbsw on Christmas: Christmas comes, but once a year is enough. Proverb, (American) Christmas has been talked of so long that it has come at last. Proverb, (French) A green Christmas makes a fat churchyard. Proverb, (Danish) A turkey never voted for an early Christmas. Proverb, (Irish) After Christmas comes Lent. Proverb, (German) Another year will bring another Christmas. Proverb, (Danish) If the ice will bear a maman before Christmas, it will not bear a goose after. Proverb It is good to be priest at Easter, child in Lent, peasant at Christmas, and foal in harvest-time. Proverb, (Danish) Green Christmas, a white Easter. Proverb, (German) The devil makes his Christmas pies of lawyers' tongues and clerk's fingers. Proverb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ze2h6pdR54 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYyZKUFPCMo Read also our other posts on Christmas Read the full article

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038; Cristes-messe in 1131; in Latin Dies Natalis.

Early Celebration

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church.

Saints Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts. Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts that in the Scriptures, sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday.

Arnobius can still ridicule the "birthdays" of the gods.

The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.

About A.D. 200, Clement of Alexandria says that certain Egyptian theologians "over curiously" assign, not the year alone, but the day of Christ's birth, placing it on 25 Pachon (May 20) in the twenty-eighth year of Augustus.

The December feast therefore reached Egypt between 427 and 433.

In Rome, the earliest evidence is in the Philocalian Calendar, compiled in 354, which contains three important entries.

In the civil calendar, December 25 is marked "Natalis Invicti."

In the "Depositio Martyrum," a list of Roman or early and universally venerated martyrs, under December 25 is found "VIII kal. ian. natus Christus in Betleem Iudæ."

De Santi (L'Orig. delle Fest. Nat., in Civiltæ Cattolica, 1907), following Erbes, argues that Rome took over the Eastern Epiphany, now with a definite Nativity colouring and, with as increasing number of Eastern Churches, placed it on December 25.

Later, both the East and West divided their feast, leaving Ephiphany on January 6, and Nativity on December 25, respectively. The earlier hypothesis still seems preferable.

Origin of Date

Concerning the date of Christ's birth, the Gospels give no help; upon their data, contradictory arguments are based.

The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion.

Authorities moreover differ as to whether shepherds could or would keep flocks exposed during the nights of the rainy season.

Natalis Invicti

The well-known solar feast, however, of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on December 25, has a strong claim on the responsibility for our December date.

For the history of the solar cult, it would be its position in the Roman Empire and syncretism with Mithraism.

(See Cumont's epoch-making "Textes et Monuments" etc., I, ii, 4, 6, p. 355.)

Mommsen (Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, 12, p. 338) has collected the evidence for the feast, which reached its climax of popularity under Aurelian in 274.

In 1700, Filippo del Torre first saw its importance. It is marked, as has been said, without addition in Philocalus' Calendar.

It would be impossible here even to outline the history of solar symbolism and language as applied to God, the Messiah, and Christ in Jewish or Chrisian canonical, patristic, or devotional works.

Hymns and Christmas offices abound in instances; the texts are well arranged by Cumont.

Liturgy and Custom

The arrangement of this date also fixed those of Circumcision and Presentation, Expectation, Annunciation B.V.M., and Nativity and Conception of the Baptist (cf. Thurston in Amer. Eccl. Rev., December, 1898).

Until the tenth century, Christmas counted, in papal reckoning, as the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, as it still does in Bulls.

Boniface VIII (1294-1303) restored temporarily this usage, to which Germany held longest.

The Crib (creche) or Nativity Scene

Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223 originated the current crib by laicizing a hitherto ecclesiastical custom, thus extra-liturgical and popular.

The presence of ox and ass is due to a misinterpretation of Isaias 1:3 and Habakkuk 3:2 ("Itala" version), though they appear in the unique fourth-century "Nativity" discovered in the Saint Sebastian catacombs in 1877.

The ass on which Balaam rode in the Reims mystery won for the feast the title Festum Asinorum (Ducange, op. cit., s.v. Festum).

Hymns and Carols

The degeneration of these plays, in part, occasioned the diffusion of noels, pastorali and carols, to which was accorded at times a quasi-liturgical position.

Prudentius, in the fourth century, is the first (and in that century alone) to hymn the Nativity for the "Vox clara" (hymn for Lauds in Advent).

"Christe Redemptor" (Vespers and Matins of Christmas) cannot be assigned to Ambrose. "A solis ortu" is certainly, however, by Sedulius (fifth century).

The earliest German Weihnachtslieder date from the eleventh and twelfth centuries -- the earliest noels from the eleventh and the earliest carols from the thirteenth.

The famous "Stabat Mater Speciosa" is attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306).

"Adeste Fideles" is, at the earliest, of the seventeenth century. However, these words must have existed long before they were put down in writing.

[adrianomaini]

Un congegno tecnico registrato trasmette litanie che non ricordano lallegro scampanio dei tempi andati

Un congegno tecnico registrato trasmette litanie che non ricordano l’allegro scampanio dei tempi andati https://ift.tt/vPe9ngF Dal libro di Nilo Calvino su Camporosso e vita civile e religiosa trascrivo alcune notizie della Parrocchia in foto [San Marco di Camporosso (IM)]. Le prime notizie di una cappella in sito risalgono alla fine del secolo XV, il carattere dei camporossini è già delineato essendo caduta la scelta su San Marco come protettore. Recita un vecchio detto: Campurussin de l’anima persa chi porta u Criste a l’areversa… Il suddetto Evangelista era osteggiato dalla repubblica di Genova perchè patrono di Venezia sua acerrima nemica. I devoti erano indubbiamente incuranti della politica. Dopo una riunione nella ormai piccola chiesa si decideva nel 1505 di ampliarne le dimensioni aprendo l’ingresso dalla parte del vicolo che collegava il centro del paese. I lavori non furono eccellenti e i muri non solidi anche per le frequenti inondazioni del fiume indebolivano di conseguenza anche il tetto, pertanto  alla fine del XVII dopo infiniti rimandi si procedeva al restauro. Sembra curioso per noi oggi il fatto che le spese furono sostenute dalle autorità laiche e dalla popolazione e dal Comune. La Chiesa ufficiale metteva sempre ostacoli. Solo nel 1771 venne ultimata e solennemente consacrata. Ma non era finita lì, un fulmine ruppe il campanile e uccise il povero campanaro e il chierico mentre le piene del Nervia corrodevano le fondazioni. Messe insieme le forze di tutti, il campanile risorse nel 1827 mancava però ancora la terza campana. Solo nel 1830 fu aggiunta una quarta campana. Ma le sventure non ebbero fine. Si fecero i pavimenti nel 1866 rovinati dopo i diversi allagamenti subiti negli anni. Evidentemente San Marco e tutti gli altri ospiti con aureola all’interno erano perennemente occupati altrove. Quando nel 1910 una terribile inondazione del Nervia procurò nei muri una fenditura longitudinale, si dovettero costruire due contrafforti a sostegno. Il testo porta la data di pubblicazione del 1989 e so per certo che le campane sono state nuovamente sostituite qualche anno fa ancora una volta con il contributo di fedeli e laici. A proposito delle campane in una nota si legge che le campane che nel 1827 si erano forse rotte nel tirarle giù per il restauro del campanile, venivano rifuse, una terza fu aggiunta nel 1830, mentre nel 1832 arrivò la quarta. La maggiore pesava 676 chili. Dal 1777 era iniziato il calvario delle campane… ora non rischiano più la vita campanari e chierici perchè un congegno tecnico registrato trasmette litanie che non ricordano l’allegro scampanio dei tempi andati. Annunciano ancora lievi e tristi suoni le morti di uomini e donne con una diversa intonazione che solo i più anziani sanno distinguere. camporossina doc via Aspetti rivieraschi https://ift.tt/XvexRqt July 19, 2023 at 11:11AM

[wololo-01]

Ngl. this really hurted a lot but can't help but feel glad that sven decided to do this, both are still really emotionally unstable to staying w each other rn again especially after everything them done with each other (and also after THIS) would only make things MUCH worse both for mental and own relationship (that is alright a big mess)

Sven REALLY need this time, but burt it also the one who ((in my opinion)) MOST needs this time, specially if he want be back and be happy with Sven. can't wait to see them finally getting them turn for the therapy and getting back together but for now, that the best option them have

And also. Jesus of Crist whatever is happening with poor Reginald this man needs now get into that fcking room before he gets worse-

Terms…

(I wrote a little Easter egg in here lol >:))

Pollo Miller belongs to @00lari00

Jay, Scottie, and Crusher belongs to @jaytoons7

Calypso Bells belongs to @bluetorchsky

[baliportalnews]

Mahasiswa Asal Papua Ditemukan Meninggal di Kamar, Diduga Sakit

BALIPORTALNEWS.COM, BULELENG - Dionisius Criste Deligiori Wayon Apay (19) asal Desa Kepi, Kecamatan Obaa, Kabupaten Mappi, Papua meninggal dunia didalam kamar asramanya yang berlokasi di Jalan Dewi Sartika Selatan Nomor 11E Kelurahan Kaliuntu, Buleleng pada Rabu (28/12/2022) sekitar pukul 07.58 WITA. Berdasarkan informasi yang berhasil didapat Mahasiswa prodi Sejarah Undiksha tersebut diketahui sedang sakit sejak 2 Minggu lalu. Akan tetapi korban masih dapat beraktivitas atau berkegiatan seperti biasanya. Bahkan terakhir kali, Selasa (27/12/2022) korban yang sekamar dengan Dipen Wisal (19) sekitar pukul 23.00 WITA tidur seperti biasanya dan sempat terbangun sekitar pukul 03.00 WITA untuk kemar mandi dan kembali tidur. "Menurut teman sekamarnya (korban) pagi sekitar pukul 07.57 WITA korban sempat berteriak mengerang sebanyak 3 kali setelah didekati badannya sudah lemas," ungkap Kapolsek Kota Singaraja, AKP I Nyoman Pawana Jaya Negara saat ditemui di lokasi kejadian. Mendapati teman sekamarnya dalam kondisi lemas dan tidak bernafas Dipen langsung berkomunikasi dengan teman-teman yang ada di Mess Undiksha. Kejadian tersebut langsung dilaporkan ke Mapolsek Kota Singaraja untuk ditangani lebih lanjut. Menyikapi laporan tersebut Kapolsek langsung bergegas ke lokasi kejadian bersama Unit Reskrim serta Tim Medis dari Puskesmas Buleleng I, dr. Debora Asetha, untuk melakukan pemeriksaan korban dan olah tempat kejadian perkara. Berdasarkan hasil pemeriksaan tim medis, korban saat d periksa sudah dalam keadaan meninggal dunia, tanda-tanda viral sudah tidak ada, reflek barang otak nihil, dan diperkirakan korban meninggal kurang lebih sekitar 2 jam yang lalu. “Untuk sementara korban dibawa ke RSUD Kabupaten Buleleng untuk dilakukan visum oleh tim dokter," pungkasnya.(dar/bpn) Read the full article

[sageglobalresponse]

Christmas and Boxing Days: Finding joy, celebrating love

Christians celebrate Christmas as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth brought joy to the Christian world after several years of prophesies. While Boxing Day is a day for giving out to the less privileged in the society. Can we still find joy in Nigeria’s society today where kidnappings and bombing have have shattered joy of several families?

In Nigeria few years ago, series of attacks occurred during Christmas Day church services on 25 December 2011. There were bomb blasts and shootings at churches in Madalla, Jos, Gadaka, and Damaturu. A total of 41 people were reported dead.

Since that time, security agencies with check point and thorough search of fun seekers continue to make Christmas day awful.

For boxing day, December 26 there is little that can be said of remembering the less privileged by the government and corporate organisations.

The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, possibly to weaken pagan traditions.

The date of birth of Jesus Christ is not stated specifically in the gospels or in any other historical source, but most Bible scholars assume a year of birth between 6 and 4 BC.

The word Christmas was derived from Middle English Cristemasse, which in turn came from Old English Cristes-messe, literally meaning Christ’s Mass.

The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336. In the 3rd century, the date of the nativity was the subject of great interest.

Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Messiah (Saviour) whose teachings form the basis of their religion. In the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 11:26, his followers were first referred to as Christians because of the resemblance in their way of life and that of Jesus.

Christmas celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by the majority of Christians, the Jehovah Witnesses not included. The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25, which after 9 months was delivered on December 25. Hence, the commemoration of His birth was fixed for December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among Christians.

Among the Western Christians and part of the Eastern churches, gift-giving, family and other social gatherings, decorations have become so symbolic of Christmas celebrations, a culture that has been imbibed by African Christians.

Through the year, they would take money from Christian worshippers in the form of a collection (offering) and hand it over at Christmas. Many of them stored the collection money in a box, which they opened on Christmas Day. The money was then handed out to the poor the next day – on Boxing Day (December 26).

Boxing Day got its name when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the 1800s and has nothing to do with the sport of boxing.

The name came from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor.

Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants, a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.

The servants would also in turn go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.

The day also has religious connections and is celebrated as Saint Stephen’s Day in Ireland and the Catalonia region of Spain.

In some European countries, such as Hungary, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, Boxing Day is celebrated as a second Christmas Day. This has also come to stay in Nigeria, where December 25 and 26 are declared Christmas and Boxing Days respectively.

The collection money in churches also played a part in the creation of Boxing Day. Through the year they would take money from worshippers in the form of collection/ offering and hand it out at Christmas.

Today, those boxes aren’t as popular. However some people still leave out extra money for people like paper boys and girls (the lowlies) in the weeks before Christmas, and call it a Christmas box.

For many people, Boxing Day actually only means one thing, leftovers. Many people prepare way too much food for Christmas Day which ordinarily they can’t finish up. They end up distributing the leftovers to the less privileged the following day, which happens to be December 26.

In a deeper sense, according to John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Christians believe God is so loving and kind, that He could “share” (give) His Son with human race, just for the salvation of their souls. If God could go that length of releasing His Son, which is seen as the highest gift (sacrifice), it behoves man to replicate same gesture during the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

This is the bedrock of Christmas. It’s a time of showing love, sharing and giving, especially to those in need.

It’s this same spirit that is extended to the following day of Christmas, December 26, tagged Boxing Day.

In essence, Boxing Day cannot be separated from Christmas Day, as it’s the chosen day of perfecting exhibition of love, as laid down by God Himself, through caring and giving (sharing).

It is therefore necessary for the federal government to pertake in activities that will add joy and also use December 26 to distribute recovered stolen funds to less priviledged.

It should be a day for the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) to visit less privileged homes and organise lectures to showcase projects put in place to care for the less privileged from recovered stolen funds.