Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany 2009-2010

These are just a few of the plethora of things our kids made during Advent season. They are little books telling about the reason for Christmas, the way people celebrated in the nations where we were living at the time, or they illustrated Christmas songs in felt, lace, sequins, and glitter. They are precious memories of years gone by.

We were living on an island at the time.

The 12 Days of Christmas (alternative words)

1. On the first day of Christmas a vision came to me, a Child born to set the world free.
2. On the second day of Christmas a vision came to me, two evergreens and a Child born to set the world free.
3. On the third day of Christmas a vision came to me, three fruitcakes... (repeat the rest).
4. On the fourth day of Christmas a vision came to me, four manger scenes...
5. On the fifth day of Christmas a vision came to me, five shopping malls...
6. On the sixth day of Christmas a vision came to me, six cards with blessings...
7. On the seventh day of Christmas a vision came to me, seven plates of dressing...
8. On the eighth day of Christmas a vision came to me, eight choir rehearsals...
9. On the ninth day of Christmas a vision came to me, nine cash dispersals...
10. On the tenth day of Christmas a vision came to me, ten trees for trimming...
11. On the eleventh day of Christmas a vision came to me, eleven stockings brimming...
12. On the twelfth day of Christmas a vision came to me, twelve diets slimming, eleven stockings brimming, ten trees for trimming, nine cash dispersals, eight choir rehearsals, seven plates of dressing, six cards with blessings, five shopping malls, four manger scenes, three fruitcakes, two evergreens, and a Child born to set the world free!

As with Gladness Men of Old

1. As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
AS with joy they hail'd it's light, leading onward, beaming bright.
So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led by Thee!

2. As with joyful steps they sped, Savior to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before Thee whom heav'n and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet ever seek Thy mercyseat.

3. Holy Jesus every day keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past, Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.

March of the Three Kings

1. Three great kings came from the Orient
A star shone brightly showing them the highway,
Robed were they in costliest raiment
With crowns and jewels in a fine display.
They carried gifts in casks of gold
For the lowborn Christ-child we were told,
We joined their band and marched with them
To find the holy Child of Bethlehem.

2. And we saw the star stop o'er a stall
Its bright light streamed forth a holy glow, and
It revealed the Babe so dear and small,
In swaddling garments in a manger low.
We bow'd our knees in wondrous awe
Singing God's praises, "Alleluia!"
His shining star led these three wise men
To find the holy Child of Bethlehem.

What Can I Give Him?

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man I would do my part
Yet what can I give Him? I'll give Him my heart.

One Small Child

1. One small child in a land of a thousand,
One small dream of a Savior tonight,
One small hand reaching out to the starlight,
One small city of life. Ohhhhhhh.

2. One king bringing his gold and riches,
One King ruling and army of might,
One king kneeling with incense and candlelight,
One King bringing us life. Ohhhhhhh.

1st chor:
See Him lying a cradle beneath Him,
See Him smiling in the stall,
See His mother praising the Father,
See His tiny eyelids fall.

3. One small light from the flame of a candle,
One small light from a city of might,
One small light from the stars in the endless night,
One small light from a fa....ce. Ohhhhhh.

2nd Chor:
See the shepherds kneeling before Him,
See the kings on bended knee.
See His mother praising the Father,
See the Blessed Infant sleep.

4. One small Child in a land of a thousand,
One small dream in a people of might.
One small hand reaching out to the starlight
One small Savior of li...fe. Ohhhhhh.

Epiphany celebration is held every January 6th

Epiphany observances began with a church service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a procession to the spring, blessing of the waters and cross retrieval.

Whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year.

Last year, it only took 18-year-old Chris Kavouklis, of Tampa, seconds to find the cross.

Judges pick the divers based on essays about their faith and about the Epiphany. The participants can start diving at age 16 and can do so until they're 18.

More about the Epiphany

Many western Christians celebrate the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, as the day that the Three Kings or Magi visited the infant Jesus.

According to the Bible, a star guided the Three Kings/Magi to Bethlehem. The Three Kings/Magi are said to have brought three gifts with them for Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Some churches, primarily eastern Christian churches, celebrate the Epiphany as the day Jesus was baptized.

Gifts on Epiphany:

In Argentina, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and most areas of Mexico, the wise men leave the presents on the eve of Epiphany.

Gifts on Christmas:

Children in some Latin-American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and parts of Mexico, receive gifts on Christmas Day.

Puerto Rico:

Puerto Ricans now celebrate such American holidays as July 4 and Memorial Day. Traditionally Christmas was celebrated on Three Kings Day (Epiphany, January 6). Since shops and television programs announce the arrival of Santa Claus on December 25, however, both days are celebrated. Ethopia:
In Ethiopia, members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church hold religious services on Christmas, January 7. The major celebration takes place nearly two weeks later at Epiphany. Food for camels instead of cookies for Santa:
Youngsters in many Spanish-speaking nations have a similar custom. However, they leave the food for the camels of the Wise Men and put the shoes outside a window on the eve of Epiphany. The Magi place small gifts in the shoes during the night. The custom of hanging stockings by the fireplace probably developed from those traditions.

La Befana:

According to legend, the Wise Men asked the kindly old witch to accompany them to see the infant Jesus. She refused, saying she was too busy and had to clean her house, and so she missed the wondrous sight. Each year, La Befana goes from house to house, leaving gifts and looking for the Christ child.

In Spain:

In Spain, people dance and sing in the streets after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Most Spanish homes and churches display a miniature Nativity scene called a Nacimiento. During the evening of January 5, children put their shoes on a balcony or near a window. The next day is Epiphany, the last day of the Christmas season. It celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. According to legend, the Wise Men arrive during the night before Epiphany and fill the children's shoes with small gifts.

Traditionally, in some countries, such as Italy and Spain, children do not receive gifts until January 5, the eve of Epiphany. In Spain, children leave their shoes outside filled with straw and barley for the magi's animals and hope that presents will be left by the wise man Balthazar.

As in the rest of Spain, most of the people are Roman Catholic, and the major city festivals celebrate saints' days. Twelve days after Christmas, on the feast of the Epiphany (the day the three wise men are said to have reached Bethlehem), a boat comes into the harbor bearing "three kings" who then parade through the streets.

Italy:

In Italy, La Befana brings presents on the eve of Epiphany.
In Italy, most homes and churches have a presepio (Nativity scene). On Christmas Eve, the family prays while the mother places a figure of the Bambino (Christ child) in the manger. Many Italians serve eels for dinner on Christmas Eve. They also bake a Christmas bread called panettone, which contains raisins and candied fruit. Italian children receive gifts from La Befana, a kindly old witch, on the eve of Epiphany.

Traditionally, in some countries, such as Italy and Spain, children do not receive gifts until January 5, the eve of Epiphany. According to Italian folklore, an old woman named Befana goes down chimneys and delivers presents to children on that night, just as the three wise men brought gifts to the infant Jesus.