Guest guest Posted December 6, 2003 Report Share Posted December 6, 2003 We have raised our kids with the truth such as there is no Santa ,Toothfairy, or Easterbunny .As a child I felt lied to when I found there was no Santa.I wanted to always be honest with my kids and lying about some commercialized fat man in a red suit was not my way of dealing with that issue.Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus.If someone wants to dress up in a red suit and pretend to be Santa then they must feel the spirit of Christmas and that is how Santa is explained.We usually put the tree up the first weekend of December.In 1994 I was on strict bed rest w/preterm labor w/baby #6 and couldn't decorate so I threw a Happy Birthday banner around the tree.My M-I-L who is very religious came in one day and asked Who's b-day did I miss we all just started laughing as we reminded her why we celebrate Christmas. On Christmas Eve we have a stuffed toy and pajamas to open.Last year everyone got a pillow and blanket (the only time all my kids were happy with what they got).With 8 kids I learned to keep ALL the presents at a friends house(we take over his spare bedroom) and spend the weekend before Christmas going to his house (very late after the kids are asleep) wrapping all the presents and playing Cribbage.On Christmas we spend a couple of hours just getting everyone their presents and getting them open.We usually have a ham (I love dressing but I don't like turkey) sweet potatoes w/ melted marshmallows on top,dressing,gravy,biscuits, green beans,pumpkin pie. The rest of the day is spent eating everything and having fun.BeckyB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Hi, the next time your kids can't wait until Santa arrives, just do it the German way :-)) The real Santa in history, the Bishop of Myra, http://www.saint-nick.com/santa/santa01.html was born on December 6th and that's when our kids put one of their boots outside in the evening and the next morning it's stuffed with nuts, oranges and sweets. I have never found out when St. was altered into that fat gift bringer in the red suit. And due to his overweight he is almost three weeks late now every year :-)) On the other hand here we have invented a " Christmas Child " who has to distribute all the gifts on Christmas. And she has to do it even without reindeers and a sledge. Peace Torsten, dad of Fiona 6wcf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 I sure hope all the folk help her out. What a tired gal she must be. ---YES, Germany has a beautiful Christmas. I spent one years there before Christmas & 2 just after . It was so very beautifully decorated too. I loves ....all the white only lights. Now that was 20 years ago .....Do they do the same today? hey, that's part of a song too. BUT I meant it . I have 2 grandsons that were born there-Heidelberg.... Dec 5th & the other Des27. I went over for almost 2 months each year for 4 years as they were stationed in Huttenfeld. I toured all over there too. We went to a town that was almost all CHRISTMAS shoppes. It was fabulous. (near one of the old prisons from years ago) I really want to revisit someday........ Also to the very small town where the passion play is held each year & ONLY those born in that town can be in it . They all play the different parts (even men, women playing any part )I just loved your country. The beauty & cleanliness .......wow! yes, Do have a VERY merry Christmas.. LOVE & HUGS, grandmomBEV Re: Santa/traditions Hi, the next time your kids can't wait until Santa arrives, just do it the German way :-)) The real Santa in history, the Bishop of Myra, http://www.saint-nick.com/santa/santa01.html was born on December 6th and that's when our kids put one of their boots outside in the evening and the next morning it's stuffed with nuts, oranges and sweets. I have never found out when St. was altered into that fat gift bringer in the red suit. And due to his overweight he is almost three weeks late now every year :-)) On the other hand here we have invented a " Christmas Child " who has to distribute all the gifts on Christmas. And she has to do it even without reindeers and a sledge. Peace Torsten, dad of Fiona 6wcf ------------------------------------------- The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY be construed as medical advice. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS. ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Here's a bit of history for you Torsten... The top portion is by another author... Some may find this hard to believe, but Santa is based partially on Christian principles and the example of a great Christian man. In his book, Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, Ace traces Santa back to St. Nicolas of Bari. Mentioned in this article. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas Much like 'Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas,' this captivating book tells the real inspiration behind the special symbols and acts that have come to mean so much at Christmas. , born in the fourth century, was the son of wealthy parents. When they died, he took all of the family's money and distributed it to the poor. He became a monk when he was still in his teens and, sometime later, a priest. After being chosen to become the archbishop of Myra, says he " seemed to take on almost mythical heroic qualities. " Saint was highly revered for being a great prayer warrior, saving many lives, healing the sick, and magnificent generosity. When St. died in the late 340s or early 350s on December 6, his passing was commemorated with an annual feast. On St. Eve, the children would place food out for and straw for his donkey. It was said the bishop would then come from heaven, unbeknownst to them during the night, and replace the gifts of good boys and girls with toys and sweets. In time, various derivations of Saint evolved. In Germany, he became " Weinachtsmann " (Christmas man). Interestingly, he worked as a helper to the Christ child and together they distributed gifts to the children. " Père Noel " replaced St. in France. He supposedly placed gifts of cakes, cookies, and candies in the children's shoes. became " Father Frost " in Russia. He distributed gifts in January when the Russian church observed Christmas. In England, became " Father Christmas. " Surprisingly he was a tall, thin man, who had a long beard and large sack of toys. writes: " After the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, the veneration of Catholic saints was banned in Germany and England. But people had become accustomed to the annual visit from the gift-giving saint and didn't want to forget the purpose of the holiday. So in some countries the orders of the church were defied, and the festivities of St. 's Day were merged with Christmas celebrations. " This practice also spread to the New World, specifically New York, which was originally established as New Amsterdam by the Dutch. Eventually St. became known as Santa Claus because English-speaking children in New York had difficulty saying the Dutch name for St. , " Sinterklaas. " They would say it so quickly it came out sounding like " Santy Claus. " After several years of mispronunciation, St. ultimately evolved into the Americanized " Santa Claus. " He was always rather pudgier in America, but then aren't we all. ;-) He became the guy you see now days when Coke hired an advertising artist to draw Santa for one of thier displays. Or, at least, that's what I've read from other sources that I can't locate... Obviously the ban in Germany on celebrating saints was lifted at some point in time, or you wouldn't be celebrating on the 6th. Dawn, the keeper of obscure history, mom of 4, 7 and under, the youngest wcf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Torsten, I should ask my brother in law how he explanied Christmas gifts to my neice that came from America.lol I know he tried to stay as close to German customs as possible. Mom to 2 w/o CF and Savannah w/ CF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Torsten that is so cute, and you have a Christmas Child. In Italy, where my dad was from, the one that brought the presents, was an old woman. Thank you, > Hi, > > the next time your kids can't wait until Santa arrives, just do it > the German way :-)) > > The real Santa in history, the Bishop of Myra, > http://www.saint-nick.com/santa/santa01.html > was born on December 6th and that's when our kids put one of their > boots outside in the evening and the next morning it's stuffed with > nuts, oranges and sweets. > > I have never found out when St. was altered into that fat > gift bringer in the red suit. And due to his overweight he is almost > three weeks late now every year :-)) > > On the other hand here we have invented a " Christmas Child " who has > to distribute all the gifts on Christmas. And she has to do it even > without reindeers and a sledge. > > > Peace > Torsten, dad of Fiona 6wcf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Torsten, thank you; loved the links on the site as well! Love to you and all of yours, n Rojas, from me and all of mine Re: Santa/traditions > Hi, > > the next time your kids can't wait until Santa arrives, just do it > the German way :-)) > > The real Santa in history, the Bishop of Myra, > http://www.saint-nick.com/santa/santa01.html > was born on December 6th and that's when our kids put one of their > boots outside in the evening and the next morning it's stuffed with > nuts, oranges and sweets. > > I have never found out when St. was altered into that fat > gift bringer in the red suit. And due to his overweight he is almost > three weeks late now every year :-)) > > On the other hand here we have invented a " Christmas Child " who has > to distribute all the gifts on Christmas. And she has to do it even > without reindeers and a sledge. > > > Peace > Torsten, dad of Fiona 6wcf > > > > ------------------------------------------- > The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY > be construed as medical advice. > > PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS. > > ------------------------------------ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 Dawn, Can I use you as my " phone a friend " for when I am on " who wants to be a millionaire " ? HEEHEE. THanks for the history lesson! I love to learn stuff like that! e,who is currently trying to master the spanish language... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2003 Report Share Posted December 8, 2003 hahahaha sure, just make sure its for some rather obscure information.... I don't answer regular questions all that well...I suppose my mind grabs onto the absurd... ;-) Dawn mom of 4, 7 and under, the youngest wcf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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