Advent Wreaths and Christmas Card Origins
The article notes an old belief that lit candles in windows guide Mary and Joseph to welcome. It describes an Advent wreath with five candles lit weekly starting four weeks before Christmas and the center candle on Christmas Day. It also covers the origin of printed Christmas cards in England in the 1840s with Horsley selling about 1000 cards in 1843 and the first US sales in 1875.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary and
Joseph
John Calcott Horsley
Bells Ringing Symbolize Christmas News of Christ Birth
Bells ringing began as a method to ward off evil spirits and evolved into a Christmas symbol representing the joyful news of Christ's birth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christ
Mistletoe Priests and English Kiss Tradition
The text notes ancient French and English priests used mistletoe as a charm. It states that the kissing custom under mistletoe began in England and spread from there.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
England
Holly and evergreens symbolizing enduring life
Evergreen plants stay green year round and bear fruit in winter symbolizing life that lasts. Holly’s red berries represent Christ’s blood and its leaves recall the crown of thorns, combining natural symbols with religious meaning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christ
Poinsettia Arrival in 1828 Inspires Legend
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia to the United States in 1828 from Mexico. A traditional legend tells of a poor Mexican boy who, kneeling before the Christ child, received a flowering plant as his gift.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Mexico
The Legend of Luther and the Christmas Tree
The tale credits German preacher Martin Luther with inspiring the Christmas tree. Walking home on a starry Eve, he trimmed a fir with candles to share the sight. Centuries later Germans popularized the custom in other lands.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Martin Luther
Stars Symbolize Bethlehem’s Star Guiding Wise Men
The article notes the star of Bethlehem as the guiding symbol that led the Wise Men to the Christ child, highlighting its beauty and significance in the Nativity story.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethlehem
Stocking Legend Ties to St Nicholas Gift Tradition
An old St Nicholas tale explains stockings hung to dry becoming the recipients of gold. The legend says three girls lacked dowries and gifts, prompting Santa to drop bags of gold down the chimney into the stockings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Nicholas
German Glassblowers Introduce Lighter Holiday Ornaments
Ornaments once heavy with real fruit flowers and candles were redesigned by German glass blowers into lighter glass balls. The shift reduces risk from heavy decorations while preserving festive appeal.
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!