Christmas Traditions Around the World: Norway's Julekurver

For years, I've enjoyed making a fun paper craft. Until recently, I didn't know that the tradition of making woven paper baskets came from Norway. 

Close to Christmas, people in Norway cut and weave paper or straw heart shaped baskets. They sometimes attach a handle and then fill the basket with sweets. The hearts decorate their trees and homes. There's rumor that Hans Christian Anderson may have started this tradition.

This is an entertaining craft to do with the whole family.

If you'd like to try your hand at heart baskets, follow these instructions.

The Reason for the Season

Who Put the First Selfie on a Christmas Card?

We can thank Sir Henry Cole of England for the tradition of sending and receiving Christmas cards. In 1843, he commissioned John Calcott Horsley to create an image Henry could send to his friends and family. The card featured a family celebrating the holiday, as well as, folks helping the poor. With the writing of A Christmas Carol, a new light shined on helping those in need.

My great-grandma's Christmas Cards on display.

Eventually Americans adopted the practice of sending cards to friends and family to celebrate the season. In 1875, Louis Prang mass produced affordable cards for everyone to share in. Then in 1915, the Hall brothers created Hallmark cards. And you know the rest of that story.

Guess who had the first "selfie" Christmas card? Ohio's own Annie Oakley. She toured Scotland around the holidays and had her photo printed on the cards she sent back to friends in America.

I'm fortunate to have a few of my great-grandma's Christmas cards framed for display. I enjoy sending and receiving cards. I hope you do too!

Cooper, James. “The History of Christmas Cards .” Why Christmas?, 2018, www.whychristmas.com.

Green, Jonathan. Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Christmas. Skyhorse Publishing, 2017.

Christmas Blessings: Peace

Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

As Eli and Ella Cate put my Fisher Price Nativity set together, I watched with great joy. They placed Mary and Joseph in the stable and gently laid baby Jesus in between them. Ella Cate found all the palm trees and lined them up, while Eli herded the sheep to the shepherds. As they were playing, my daughter, Sara, asked Eli if he would sing a song he'd learned for his great-grandfather's funeral. As he tinkered with the manger scene, his strong, young voice filled the room. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Wow, what a blessing to hear this almost nine-year old sing one of my favorite songs.

At Jesus birth the angels rejoiced with a song of peace. They glorified God and poured the favor of peace over the shepherds.

The Christmas season can get hectic. Too much to do, places to go. So many families are knee deep in sports and activities, while others are lonely, even sad. The holidays can be a difficult time for so many reasons. But it can also be a time filled with peace. Just knowing that Jesus birth changed the world and our options in life brings me calm and comfort. If it weren't for that sweet baby in the manger growing to be a man who gave his all for me, my life would be utter chaos. Instead I have peace in my heart, knowing my life is in God's hands.

I pray God's peace pours over you as you prepare to celebrate Jesus birth. May his arms be a place of rest and his feet a place of worship.

Christmas Traditions Around the World: Iceland's Jólabókaflóð

We all create traditions in our families for the holidays. My daughters and I get together with my mom and roll out, cut out, and bake Christmas cookies. My husband and I cruise the area and marvel at Christmas lights. We gather together to open presents, share food, and celebrate Jesus' birth. I never miss the children's Christmas pageant.

I've always been curious about Christmas traditions in other countries; or even in different regions of America.

Have you heard about a cool custom in Iceland?

As a book lover, I adore this Jólabókaflóð—"the Christmas book flood." Icelander's open their gifts on Christmas Eve and one of the wrapped gifts is always a book. Once the clutter is cleared, the receiver of the gift takes their new shiny book, wraps up in a cozy blanket and cracks it open to read the night away. What a glorious tradition. Meaningful because the giver took the time to choose the perfect book. Relaxing as they read well into the night.

We read about Jesus birth from the Bible each Christmas and Holiday stories from Mary Engelbreit's Believe: A Christmas Story.

How can you incorporate book giving into your Christmas?

• Add a book to your gift list.
• Share a favorite book with a loved one.
• Celebrate the joy of the printed word.

St. Francis of Assisi-Quote to Remember

The Mystery of God

Lamentations 3:25-26
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

The city of Cincinnati sparkled outside my hospital window. I viewed the crown on top of Great American Tower and the reflection of lights twinkling on the Ohio River. At two o'clock in the morning, I listened to the tap, tap, tap of ice hitting the window; a beautiful chorus to kick off my recovery. In the quiet of the early morning, God's Spirit dwelled by my side. As did my wonderful husband who slept on the hard as a rock couch, under that scenic the window.

I'm not usually awake in the middle of the night. But this night I'm thankful I was, because I experienced a love I almost can't fathom. The mystery of God's love intrigues me. How can my creator continue to love me, even as I fail and fall? Yet he does. He not only loves me, he pours his grace over me. As I rested in the quiet and listened to the ice tapping the window, I thanked God for the many prayers given on my behalf. I praised him for the miracle of medicine and the wonderful team of people who took care of me.

God is faithful. He met me in the quiet time with his comfort and peace.

As we head into the holidays, find time for quiet reflection. Time to thank God for his many blessings. Time to find comfort in his arms. Time to connect to his love.