The Christian Gift

Happy New Year!

Whether this is a time for reflection and resolutions, you’re getting ready to enjoy a great celebration with family or friends, or you’re just looking forward to a veritable feast of bowl games, may this be a great start to a happy and healthy 2006.

In the English speaking world, it’s kind of hard to think of New Year’s without including a wee bit of Scotland in the festivities. After all, what would midnight be without the singing of Auld Lang Syne?

Since Scotland is one of my husband’s and my favorite places, I thought I’d share with you some history behind the New Year’s observance there.

As you may know, the church in Scotland and England put a damper on the celebration of Christmas beginning around the time of the Reformation. In Scotland, this “anti-tradition” of sorts lasted for quite some time.

In fact, until as recently as the 1960s, Christmas was a normal working day for most Scots!

The festival surrounding New Year’s, consequently, is the one with the longer and richer tradition. Hogmanay, on December 31st, was when family and friends paid visits to one another and exchanged presents. It’s still observed today – the Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh is the largest in the country and bills itself as the world’s best New Year’s celebration!

Back to Auld Lang Syne. Read more…

Mistletoe, outdoor lights, advent wreaths, poinsettias, counting down the number of shopping days you have left – yes, Christmas is on its way!!

As a child, (before VCRs, DVDs and Tivo made it possible to watch programs whenever we wish) I used to look forward to the annual airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas with great anticipation. (At the risk of dating myself, I will admit that I was in front of the television the very first time it aired in 1965!)

I’ve loved the Peanuts gang since I was a little girl – and still do to this day.

The story behind the special is interesting and a good example of how “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Charles Schulz, a religious man, wanted the show to convey the real meaning of Christmas. It’s a testament to the popularity of Peanuts, which had been featured on the cover of Time Magazine that year, and creator Charles Schulz, that the program was ever made.
Read more…