Our Glass Baby Ornament is 4½ inches tall. The top of the rattle is round and flat on the front and back. There is a pastel pink border around the edge with orchid, pale yellow, light green and pastel pink flowers and leaves. In the center are the words “BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS” in medium pink with iridescent glitter. The handle is medium pink and pearl white with a pastel pink ribbon bow, dusted with iridescent glitter. The bottom of the handle is heart shaped and the center of the heart is pastel pink. This ornament was hand blown in China and is part of Kurt S. Adler’s Noble Gems Collection. Select this link to view our People and Baby German Christmas Ornaments.
The Legend of Saint Nikolaus
In German speaking countries and Holland and Belgium as well, December 6th is the most distinctive children's festival of the year. St. Nikolaus Eve is a time of festive stir, it is a time of whispers and giggles, and of heavy steps on the stairs. Shops are full of many shaped biscuits, gilt gingerbreads, sugar images, toys and other little gifts.
It is not easy to uncover the historic facts about Saintt Nikolaus, the fourth century Greek bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6th, 343. In Eastern Europe, Southern Italy and among the Greeks, he is revered most of all as the patron saint of seafaring men. Select this link to view our Christmas Ornament Sets.
In many regions, the festivities originally attributed to the gift giving St. Nikolaus have been transferred to Christmas, yet in Western and Southern Germany, in Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, December 6 remains a day of joy for children.
When evening comes, St. Nikolaus, a reverend grey haired figure with flowing beard, will knock on doors and enquire about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will deliver a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in some countries. Select this link to view our Baby Gifts.
St. Nikolaus traditions vary as widely from region to region as his guise and name. He appears as Ruhklas, Pelznickel, Klasbur, etc. He is afoot or astride a white horse, a mule, or even a goat.
St. Nikolaus also appears together with St. Peter, an angel, and the Christ child. As the splendor of the candle lit Christmas tree and emphasis on the birth of Christ, began to shift the function of the gift giving St. Nikolaus, Knecht Ruprecht became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," literally Christmas Man, Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Select this link to view our Glass Wedding Ornaments.
History of The Santa Claus Express
The Santa Claus Express is a generic name applied to a number of holiday railroad excursions throughout the United States. Often sponsored by railroad museums and incorporating appropriately decorated vintage locomotives and cars, the Express may offer scenic tours beginning in late November and continuing through December. By other schedules, the Express stops at towns and villages along the line, at which time professional or amateur performers provide a Yuletide concert or show for citizens waiting outside.
The Express also is a vehicle for delivering toys and gifts to underprivileged children, an example of which can be found in Appalachia. Since the mid 1440s on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, officials of CSX Transportation have furnished a locomotive and cars so that the Express could wind its way from Pikeville, Kentucky, across Virginia, and into Kingsport, Tennessee. All along the tracks, children and families gather, many having camped overnight to secure strategic positions. When the train slows at each whistle stop, children run behind as Santa, who addresses everyone as “darlin’,” and his assistants, who are local businessmen, toss candy, small toys, and other gifts into eager hands. Local merchants, some of whom were once among those children chasing the train, donate the gifts, which become the only Christmas presents that many children will receive each year. Select this link to view our Baby First Christmas Ornament.