Our sweet baby angel ornaments are 3.5 inches long. The baby angel ornaments hang from a 3 inch loop of gold cord. The baby angel ornaments have white wings with iridescent glitter. The baby angel ornaments are wearing a white, long sleeved dress with gold around the cuffs of the sleeves and the hem and iridescent glitter. The baby angel ornaments are reading a book as she stands on a cottony white cloud with two small gold stars. The baby angel ornaments have golden brown hair with a gold halo.
Candles.
Man has been using candles since 3000 B.C. The ancients used them to prolong the day. Candles became a symbol of expressing joy. The Romans exchanged glowing tapers as expressions of goodwill and affection. The use of candles for Christmas celebrations was absorbed into the symbol of Jesus as the light of the World, and as a symbol of everlasting life.
The tradition of putting candles in the windows comes from Ireland. When Christianity was suppressed in Ireland, the priest had to travel secretly, through the night, to visit his parishioners. Irish Christians left their doors unlocked and candles in the windows to show the priests where there was a friendly place to stay and to guide them through the dark night. When the English authorities questioned the people, they explained that the candles were for Mary and Joseph.
Christmas Cards.
The very modern tradition evolved from English school boys in the early 1800’s. They would send Christmas pieces or greetings to their parents. They were written on decorated sheets to show off their progress in composition and penmanship. In 1842 William Egley tried to make a commercial success of Christmas cards but failed to arouse any interest. In 1847, Sir Henry Cole commissioned J.C. Horsely to make a card. There was little interest at first, but by 1868, it was a common practice in all of England. Louis Prange began the public sale of Christmas card in America in 1875.
Christmas Carols.
Carols comes from choros meaning the dance and aulein to play the flute. The original meaning of the word carol, was a circular dance with no songs, simply to dance in a circle listening to a flute. By the middle ages it became carollen or to sing foyfully. As when troupes of costumed actors traveled from village to village presenting the Christmas plays in song. The earliest dated carol was in 129 A.D. The father of the Christmas carol is attributed to St. Francis, the originator of the Nativity scenes, who taught his people to tell of their Christmas joy in songs.
Colly Bird.
Colly originally meant ‘black’ or ‘black bird’, which used to be a staple food source.
Christmas Crackers.
A bag of goodies enclosed in a paper covering. When tugged hard, they burst open to release the contents. John Smith invented them in England in 1860.
Christmas Currency.
Santa Claus was once pictured on legal currency. Before the Civil Wal, Santa’s picture was used on bank issued currency, including the three dollar bill.
The Daisy.
A shepherd boy was left to attend the fires as the other shepherds went to visit the baby Jesus. The shepherd boy decided to go, also, but had no gift to offer. He picked a flower he found on the way and offered it to the baby. Jesus grasped the flower and raised it to his lips, touched it and the beautiful golden color appeared.
December.
The name originated from the latin word decem meaning ten. In the Old Roman calendar, December was the 10th month, with March being the beginning of the Roman year. King Pompilis added January and February as a means of modernizing the dating system, but left December as the last month.
Deck The Halls.
The word deck comes from the middle Dutch word deken meaning to cover. Later it took on the longer meaning of, “To clothe in specially beautiful or ornamental attire.”