The star of Bethlehem

One of the most significant symbols in the Nativity story, (the birth of Jesus), is the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Star of Christmas by many. What really was this bright, unusual star that, according to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi or the Three Wise Men saw and followed to see the King who was born?

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him", the Wise Men are recorded to have told King Herod, the ruler at that time.

This powerful and enigmatic, symbol of Christianity. second perhaps only to the Cross of the Crucifixion, is traditionally linked to the Star Prophecy in the Book of Numbers in the Holy Bible:

I see Him, but not now;

I behold Him, but not near;

A Star shall come out of Jacob;

A Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,

And batter the brow of Moab,

And destroy all the sons of Tumult.

However, today it has become a controversial topic with many scholars questioning the historical accuracy of the story and arguing that the star was a fiction created by the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

Many theories have been put forward about the true origin of the Star of Bethlehem, which has baffled astronomers, historians, and theologians for the past two millennia or more.

But despite all this, the Star of Bethlehem continues to play an important role in the story of the Nativity of the Christ child and is almost on a par with the birth itself.No matter what is said by the scholars about the star of Bethlehem, the conclusion is that it cannot be naturally explained by scientists. As Christmas, which is the commemoration of the Nativity of the Christ child, is all about miracles, perhaps the star the magi referred to was only a temporary and supernatural light that shone, especially to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

Special blossoms

Come Christmas you will notice very striking, star like flowers (both artificial and natural) being used as decoration, not only in shops, but also in many houses. Why are these blossoms in red so popular during the season?

Commonly known as poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima ) this species of flowering plant, indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala, came to be associated with the season way back in the 16th century. It is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico who introduced the plant into the US in 1828.According to a Mexican legend , a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar.Then crimson "blossoms" had sprouted from the weeds and become beautiful poinsettias.

From the 17th century onwards, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.Then across North America, poinsettias became typical Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices and elsewhere, and were available in large numbers in the market. In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.

In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called Cuetlaxochitl meaning "skin flower."

The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication.Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "Noche Buena" or Christmas' Eve.

In Spain it is known as "Flor de Pascua" or Easter Flower in English. In both Chile and Peru, the plant became known as "Crown of the Andes.

Another plant associated with the season is the English plant, the Helleborus niger or "Christmas Rose", sometimes known as the "Snow Rose" or "Winter Rose," it is indeed a true Christmas flower.since it blooms during the depths of winter in the mountains of Central Europe.

The Christmas Rose produces flowers from late Fall until early Spring. These evergreen perennials grow to be approximately 15 inches tall and have shiny, dark green leaves of a leathery texture. Each flower stalk bears a single two inch to four inch white bloom (often tinged with pink).

By tradition, the Christmas Rose (whose roots are poisonous) should be planted by the door in order that it might welcome Jesus Christ into the home.

Like with the above mentioned poinsettias, there is a legend associated with the Christmas Rose too. And, it is very similar to the legend surrounding the poinsettias.

The legend of the Christmas Rose is a charming tale of a little shepherd girl named Madelon.

As Madelon tended to her sheep one cold and wintry night, Wise Men and shepherds passed by Madelon's snow-covered field bearing gifts for the Christ Child.

Following them, Madelon saw the Magi present gold, myrrh and frankincense to the baby...even the humble shepherds had brought fruits, honey and doves to give to the babe...but Madelon had nothing, not even a simple flower for the Newborn King.

Standing outside the stable where Jesus had been born, poor Madelon wept, wishing that she had a gift she could carry to the infant.

An angel who was watching, taking pity on Madelon, caused the snow at the feet of the small girl's feet to vanish, thus revealing a most beautiful white flower, whose petals were tipped with pink, formed by the angel from the tears which had fallen from the eyes of the little shepherdess. Overjoyed, Madelon presented her gift at the manger of the baby Jesus...her gift of the Christmas Rose.

Santa claus is a legend

The jolly old man with the snowy white beard and twinkling eyes who visits good children at Christmas to leave gifts for them most often under the tree or in the stockings or pillow cases they hang up, is a legengary figure that is loved by all, especially the little ones... Who actually is Santa Claus? There are many legends about the origin of this famous character who has nothing to do with the religious event as such.

It is believed by many that the character came into being following the kind acts shown to the poor by a Bishop who lived in the fourth century.

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", was originally portrayed wearing bishop's robes. But , today the image of Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. One legend associated with Santa says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house on the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland.

There are many stories about Santa Claus living with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and his eight or nine flying reindeer.It is also said that when the Christmas season draws near Santa makes a list of children throughout the world, categorising them according to their behaviour. So, the popular song goes..

You better not shout

you better not pout

you better not cry

I 'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

Well, he's making a list and checking it twice so that he could deliver presents to all of the good boys and girls in the world. He is said to accomplish this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh. Even though most Christians oppose the concept of Santa Claus, today the jolly old man has become part and parcel of Christmas and is a higly commercialised symbol .

Customs, traditions and icons

* The custom of hanging up stockings at Christmas, which children believe would be filled with gifts from Santa Claus, originated in Turkey.

*Giving and receiving gifts during Christmas is the most exciting part of the festival for children. This custom dates back to the practice of exchanging gifts during the celebration of the winter festival by simple farming folk.

*Decorating an evergreen fir tree or pine tree is another custom which has its origin in winter celebrations. In fact, in ancient times, some people honoured evergreen trees saying they reminded them that Christ was the source of Eternal Life.

*Holly sprigs are associated with Christmas very closely. The colours of Christmas - red and green, are represented in holly. The plant belongs to the flex family and is found in most places. The thorny leaves symbolise His crown of thorns, the red berries, His blood and the evergreen nature of the plant - Life Eternal.

*During the early Celtic period, it was a custom to decorate homes with holly. Even today holly is used in many parts of the world as decor, especially in the form of door wreaths during the festive season. Many superstitions surround the holly.

*It was about 300 years after the birth of Jesus Christ that Pope Julius I and other Roman church leaders agreed on December 25 as the official date of Christ's birth and began celebrating Christmas.

*January 6 is Epiphany, the day the 'Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for baby Jesus.

They are also known as the Three Kings from the Orient.

*Sometime Christmas is shortened as X'mas. Do you know that the letter X refers to the Greek letter which is also the first letter of Christ's name?

*It is said that it was St. Boniface who lived in the 8th century who made the fir tree, the tree of Christmas.

*The first Christmas card was sent by Sir Henry Cole in 1843, because he had no time to write letters at Christmas.

*December 26 was originally named as St. Stephen's Day because he was the first person to die for telling people about Jesus. However, with time it came to be known as Boxing Day. Years ago it was the practice of the Church to collect money and clothes in boxes and distribute them to the poor the day after Christmas. So, it became 'boxing' day; boxing in connection with boxes and not the sport - boxing.

* December 6 is celebrated in Germany as St. Nicholas' Day.

* The idea of the wooden sledge and reindeer which are associated with Father Christmas or Santa Claus as he's popularly known today, is believed to have originated in America in the 19th century.

*The beautifully decorated Christmas tree which is seen in many shops, supermarkets and most Christian homes is believed to have originated in Germany. It was probably used in America in the 1700s, first introduced to France in 1837 and made its royal debut in England in 1841.

* Frosty the Snowman was a Tin Pan Alley novelty created by Jack Nelson and Steve Rolling in 1950.

Facts and pix- Internet