The Great Christmas Pudding Race has been a London annual event since 1980. Teams of contestants wearing fancy dress have to run around Covent Garden plaza while trying to balance a Christmas pudding on a plate. Obstacles such as balloons full of flour and water hazards complicate the task. The Pudding Race benefits cancer research organizations.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Poor Robin's Almanack
August 2
Poor Robin was an English 17th and 18th-century satirical almanac series, appearing as Poor Robin's Almanack from 1663.Authorship is generally attributed to William Winstanley, with new editions coming out periodically for the next two decades both in England and in the colonies.
"Now trees their leafy hats do bare,
To reverence Winter's silver hair;
A handsome hostess, merry host,
A pot of ale now and a toast,
Tobacco and a good coal fire,
Are things this season doth require."
-- From "Poor Robin's Almanack," 1684.
Pick a Color Theme
August 1
When decorating for the designer holiday look, pick just two colors and use the theme throughout the house. Of course, red and green or white make a good choice or any color with gold, white, or silver. Ivory and brushed gold are especially elegant. If you are adventurous, add a third color. Try sage green, ivory, and pewter or forest green, burgundy, and gold. Simplest of all: Go monochromatic with just one primary color everywhere. Add variations in hue from light to deep in the same color family. Use it on ornaments, ribbon, table linens, floral arrangements. The possibilities are endless.
Trading Christmas for Socialism
July 31
Josef Stalin stood firmly against anything remotely associated with the church, but as his daughter grew up, he could not shelter her from the celebration of Christmas for long. During WWII, Stalin's daughter attended an event at a European embassy in her Father's on her Father's behalf, and returned home with a wonderful liking for the Christmas decorations inside the embassy, especially the Christmas trees. So Stalin devised his own holiday, celebrating the New Year where great things would be in store for the working class of Russia. He created a Santa-like character named Ded Moroz, and encouraged that trees be brought in to be decorated in celebration of Russia's great new society.
“Snegurochka” is a Russian folktale character who is the daughter of Spring and Frost. She is now often depicted as a snow maiden and helper to Ded Moroz. One folktale tells how she wishes she was able to love a young shepherd named Lel; so her mother gives her the mortal ability to love. She falls in love with Lel, but her heart warms with love and she melts away.
If Parades Float Your Boat...
July 30
Perhaps the most famous boat parade occurs during the holiday season in Newport Beach, California. For a week, boat and yacht owners decorate their ships with Christmas lights and animated figures and set sail around a predetermined route around Newport Bay. The parade began in 1907 when friends John Scarpa and Joseph Beek began to take groups of visitors on a nighttime cruise around the newly developed Balboa Island in the center of the bay. They decorated gondolas with lanterns, and each ensuing year the procession grew. In its history the parade fell in and out of favor with residents and law enforcement due to the large crowds the parade attracted. Today the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade continues to run, sponsored by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce... though the number of nights when the show runs seem to be dwindling.
The Song of Mary
July 29
"Magnificat" is a Latin term applied to the Latin text of the song of Mary, found in Luke, Chapter 1. Mary composes the song of praise and thanks to God upon learning that she is carrying the Christ Child:
"And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our forefathers.’"
The Bible Broadcast From The Moon
July 28
How far has the Bible been shared? The farthest on record was on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968. While orbiting the moon, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anderson did a live television broadcast showing images of earth and the moon from space while reading from the book of Genesis.
Why Marry?
July 27
December 25, 1918, was the debut date for "Why Marry?" which was the first play by Jesse Lynch Williams. It was difficult to live up to since it won the first Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1918. Originally titled "And So They Were Married," the play looks at society's view of marriage and love and how the two aren't always the same or even appear to be related. Though the theme could certainly play well today, the actual play may appear dated today with its social references.
The Check is in the Mail
July 26
The most expensive Christmas card was sold at an auction in England in 2001 for 20,000 pounds, approximately $40,000 USD. The card was from 1843.
From God's Word:
July 25
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
—Luke 2, 15-20
More On Bubble Lights
July 24
So how do bubble lights work? They are made up of two important parts: a thin tube of liquid (usually methylene chloride), sitting on a larger base, where it rests on a lightbulb. As the base heats from the lightbulb, it creates a thermal difference between the liquid at the cool top of the tube and the hot bottom. This results in a pressure gradient that releases energy in the form of bubbles.
Vaillancourt Figurines
July 23
When Gary Vaillancourt gave his wife, Judi, a gift of three antique chocolate molds in 1984, neither of them knew it would signal the start of a new family business. In the years since, Judi's collection has grown to about 10,000 vintage molds — one of the largest collections in the world. She uses her molds to make hand-painted collectible chalkware figures for all major holidays — especially Christmas. Today, Vaillancourt Folk Art (VFA) is one of America's last remaining Christmas ornament and collectibles makers.
Calling All Angels
July 22
Primarily in Western religions, angels are any of numerous benevolent spiritual beings who mediate between heaven and earth. They often serve as messengers or servants of God or as guardians of an individual or nation. In Zoroastrianism the amesha spenta are arranged in a hierarchy of seven. Judaism and Christianity base their notion of angels on references in the Hebrew Scriptures to divine servants and to the heavenly hosts. Two archangels (Michael and Gabriel) are mentioned in the Old Testament and two others (Raphael and Uriel) in the Apocrypha. Angels are mentioned throughout the Christian scriptures, and Christian tradition identifies nine orders of angels. Herald angels are specifically those angels who announced the birth of Christ in Matthew 28:2. Their hierarchy is not specified.
Good Point, Ambassador!
July 21
The first ambassador to Mexico introduced a local plant, the Euphorbia pulcherrima, to the United States in 1825. Rather than having actual flowers, the ends of the plant, or bracts, would display leaves in various colors. We know them for the name they obtained from that ambassador, Joel Robert Poinsett. Place poinsettias near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight.
Presepios, Please
July 20
Brazil is a former Portuguese colony, and so many Brazilians have Christmas customs that came from this heritage. One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio. The word originates from the Hebrew word "presepium," which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil. Nowadays presépios are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.
A Dickens of a Story
July 19
Dickens self-published “A Christmas Carol” the week before Christmas 1843 and was an instant sensation but, due to the high production costs, Dickens' earnings from the sales were lower than expected. In addition to the disappointing profit from the book, Dickens was enraged that the work was instantly the victim of pirated editions. Copyright laws in England were often loosely enforced, and a complete lack of international copyright law had been Dickens' theme during his trip to America the year before. He ended up spending more money fighting pirated editions of the book than he was making from the book itself.
Tiny Bubble Lights
July 18
Bubble lights for Christmas decorations were introduced to the US in 1946 by NOMA, one of the largest American manufacturers of Christmas lights. They were also used in operating accessories for Lionel and American Flyer model trains in the form of special drop-down gates and oil wells. On a grander scale, the same technology makes the bubbles in Wurlitzer jukeboxes. Soon there will be LED versions, but the cool burning lights are going to need tiny heaters to work.
Nothing Says Merry Christmas Like a New Face
July 17
Plastic surgery continues to be popular in spite of variances in the economy. People frequently put some sort of plastic surgery on their gift list. In fact, December is the most popular month for nose jobs.
Good Grief, Network Brass
July 16
Network executives were not at all keen on several aspects of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," forcing Charles M. Schulz and producer Bill Melendez to wage some serious battles to preserve their vision. The executives did not want to have Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 2:8-14). The network orthodoxy of the time assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the King James Version of the Bible. Charles Schultz was adamant about keeping this scene in, remarking that "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?"
Rembrandt's Adoration of the Shepherds
July 15
In his painting "The Adoration of the Shepherds," Rembrandt portrays the subject as a domestic scene. It is both informal and reverent with classic Rembrandt lighting styles creating intimacy. A group of bystanders stand nearby, but the light seems to emanate stronger from the Christ Child than the lamp held by a shepherd. As “The Light of the World”, the future Savior is central to the picture. In low light it is possible to make out a number of details, including a boy playing with a dog on the right and the cross formed by the beams in the rafters. Painted in 1646, it is one of a series of the life of Christ created for Prince Frederik Hendrik of Orange. It currently hangs in the National Gallery in London.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606.
The Polar Opposite Express
July 14
It is not uncommon to celebrate Christmas in July if you live in New Zealand. Since it is in the Southern hemisphere, December is the beginning of summer, and the weather is far from the white Christmas that many of the relocated residents are accustomed. So on July 25, when days are chilly and nights are colder, a second Christmas is celebrated. This allows for more traditional holiday meals to be served at hotels and restaurants that are too heavy to serve in summer months.
Rudolph's Origin
July 13
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” was first written in about 1939 by Robert May, who included him in a story for the Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue. The company had been giving out coloring books as a promotion for years and decided one year to create their own. May later bought the rights to the character, and his brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, wrote the now-famous song about the buck with a blessed beak.
"All-Heal" Breaks Loose
July 12
Ancient Druids had a great reverence for mistletoe, believing it held great healing powers. Their name for it was "All-Heal," for they believed it could heal wounds, act as a poison antidote, bring luck, and even cause enemies to lay down their arms for a day should they meet beneath the mistletoe. Perhaps that led to the kiss under the mistletoe tradition. The early English Christian church banned it from their celebrations as it was such a powerful symbol in Druid worship. However, at the Cathedral of York, prior to the reformation, there are records of mistletoe being placed on the altar, affirming the all-healing power of Jesus Christ.
Airport Security at Christmas
July 11
Holiday airport security tips: Be mindful of the IN, OUT, OFF security policy: Place items such as cell phones, keys, and change IN your carry-on bag; take your laptop and video cameras OUT of their cases; take OFF all outerwear and shoes before entering the security checkpoint. Pack all toiletries in a single, clear, one-quart plastic bag. Remember, only travel-size (3 ounces or less) liquids and toiletries are allowed, and the plastic bag must be placed on the conveyer belt for X-ray. Don't bother to wrap gifts ahead of time. They may have to be opened. Pack them in luggage, never your carry-on. Whenever possible, mail packages prior to leaving or give gifts that can be delivered before your arrival.
Mickey In A Manger
July 10
Since less than one percent of the population in Japan is Christian, there is no official celebration of Christmas, but secular celebrations of the holiday are widespread. Since Japan produces many decorations and items for the Christmas market, more and more Japanese became interested in taking on some of the traditional Western customs. In homes you will find lanterns, manger scenes (sometimes with characters that don't fit the scene, such as Disney characters), lights, and trees. Often the Christmas trees are purchased with the decorations already on.
A De-Light-Full Holiday
July 9
Jennings Osborn never had Christmas lights on his house when he was young, but when his six-year-old daughter asked for him to put some up for the holiday, Jennings obliged with a modest start of only 1,000 lights. Over the years, the display grew to three million lights, so many that at one point the light display could be seen by jets flying 80 miles away. Neighbors sued, and Jennings was required to put a curfew on his display. Finally ordered to douse the lights permanently, Disney World came to the rescue, and in 1995 the Osborn Christmas spectacular became Disney World's third largest attraction, with over 4 million lights. Jennings is now responsible for 32 similar displays throughout the state of Arkansas -- and the number is growing.
I'll Have A Guinness
July 8
A popular Christmas gift in its own right, the Guinness Book of World Records was first published in 1955 and by Christmas of that year had become the top selling book for that year. Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, got the idea one afternoon while hunting game birds. Which was faster, he argued with his friends -- a golden plover or the grouse? Sir Hugh then thought it would be kind of fun to gather up a list of world records and set about collecting them. The book was distributed to pubs that sold Guinness brews, which promptly became the official reference work to settle bets. The book now sells more than 100 million copies around the world and holds the record for the world's best-selling copyright book.
Trees for Troops
July 7
The holidays can be a dreary time for those away from their loved ones. To help make the season a little brighter, FedEx and the Christmas Tree Foundation joined forces to bring live Christmas trees to troops serving overseas and their families on military bases across the U.S. Using large FedEx Special Delivery trailers and a fleet of FedEx Express airplanes, FedEx delivers thousands of fresh Christmas trees to the men and women of the armed forces.
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