Pagan Christmas Customs Across Europe and Ukriane Traditions
The article surveys Christmas customs from England's West Country Yule log rites to Norse sun worship, Danish elf gifts, Ukraine’s Didukh sheaf, Sweden's Lucia, and the mistletoe ritual. It notes pagan origins, evolving Christian overlays, and the persistence of sun-ward symbolism in winter celebrations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sevier
England
West Country
Yule-Nisse
Denmark
Ukraine
Christ
Sweden
St. Lucia
Colorful Christmas Fireside Tricks With Salts and Cones
A method to color fireplace flames uses pine cones soaked in metal salt solutions or dipped in affin and set with paraffin. Colors produced include red from strontium, green from barium or copper compounds, blue green from copper, orange from calcium, yellow from sodium, with alternatives using nitrates and chlorides.
Queen Elizabeth Christmas Broadcast Message
The queen calls for keeping alive the spirit of adventure and building knowledge among the nations. She urges tolerance, understanding, and the use of science and learning for the betterment of humanity, aiming for peace on earth and goodwill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Commonwealth
Queen Elizabeth
Handel's Messiah Triumphs in London and Dublin Recitals
The complete oratorio was crafted in three weeks after a stroke and faced mixed reception in London before Dublin audiences praised it. Handel's choir, musicians, and soloists drew record crowds, transforming the piece into a world famed box office event. The Westminster Abbey celebration in 1784 featured 482 instrumentalists and massive choirs, moving many to tears as the refrain He is the King of Glory prompted a near heavenly atmosphere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Handel
Dublin
St. Patrick's
Christ's Cathedrals
George II
Solomon's Temple
Josephus
Westminister Abbey
Christmas Candle Traditions From Ireland to the World
The piece notes candles are used in homes for Christmas across cultures and traces origins to Ireland. It cites a bayberry verse about luck for the year and the custom of snuffing a candle only by a named Mary. It mentions the Christ Child Candle burned in windows on Christmas Eve to light His way during His earthly visitation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ireland
Jesus
Mary
Joseph
Palestine
Holy Isle
Europe
Small Towns First To Light Outdoor Trees
Small towns led the idea of outdoor Christmas trees with early mentions as far back as 1913 in places like McDonald and Germantown Pennsylvania. Salem Oregon Riverside California and Aracuria followed, with the first national tree in 1924 funded by the American Forestry Association. Now televised nationwide, displays spread from the White House to New York’s Rockefeller Center as communities adopt lights, evergreens, bells and stars in street decor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McDonald
Germantown
Pennsylvania
Salem
Ore
Riverside
Calif
American Forestry Association
United States
White House
Rock .Jeffer Center
New York
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Springfield Leader Ltd
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Seine
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