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Christmas Decorations in August!

 

"Christmas All Year, It's Ever Christmas!" on image of Evergreen wreath with Christmas bow, Christmas Tree decorated with Child-themed ornaments, Christmas tree decorated with Cross and Nativity, and Carved Nativity with Evergreen tree on hayHello, Everyone!  It’s August, a beautiful month with a royal name.  As I write this post, I can see my gorgeous, evergreen Christmas wreath with beautiful ornaments and battery-operated lights, hanging on my office wall, just beyond my desk.  I’ve kept it up, beyond December, the traditional season for such decor.  Why do I have this evergreen wreath up, year-round, beyond December?  I keep this evergreen wreath up because I enjoy focusing on the bliss of Christmas, year-round!

Yes, the traditional Christmas season is months away, yet many of us carry the Spirit of Christmas with us every day! Our daily lives have the presence of that uplifting, soothing ambiance because of Christ’s Spirit being with us. We have Emmanuel with us.  (He’s also identified as the ‘God’, the ‘Universe’ & the ‘Creator’ of the universe, including humans.).  Of course, having the Spirit of Christmas each day means we are kind and charitable at home, at work, in business, as we shop, as we run errands, as we dine out and in all other interactions daily, and every month.  Consequently, living this way brings great joy to others and ourselves!

As in the traditional season/month of December, placing a beautifully-decorated Christmas tree or other evergreens such as a wreath or garland, on display, is a symbol of His ‘evergreen’, ever-present Spirit. This is why ‘Christmas All Year, It’s Ever Christmas’ resonates with so many people. We are enjoying ‘The Gift’ of Christ’s Spirit, all year, far over and beyond the delightful gifts we receive and give to each other. So, if you all have some form of Christmas decor displayed so that you (and others) can see it and enjoy it all year, we are kindred spirits in this!

 

The Origin of the Word “Christmas”

Nativity of Christ Jesus, John 3:16-17 KJV

Nativity of Christ Jesus

“The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerst-misse, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French Noël, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceeding sacred vigil.” ~ Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)

“Christmas (i.e. the Mass of Christ), in the Christian Church, the festival of the nativity of Jesus Christ.” ~ 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica

“Christmas (krĭs′ mas), the day on which the birth of Jesus Christ is observed.  The first certain traces of the festival are found about the time of the Emperor Commodus (180–192 A. D.).  In the reign of Diocletian a churchful of Christians, gathered to celebrate Christmas, were burned by order of the emperor.  The birth was celebrated in May, April and January by the early Christians.  It is almost certain that the 25th of December is not Christ’s birthday, as it is the rainy season in Judæa, and shepherds could hardly be watching their flocks by night in the plains at that time.  The present date came to be used probably because all heathen nations celebrated that season with great festivities, as the old Norse Yule-feast.  The beautiful Christmas carols at first were manger-songs, telling the story of Christ’s birth.  The Christmas-tree with its hanging toys was a custom borrowed from the Romans, and is told about by the poet Vergil.  The visit of Santa Claus bearing gifts belongs properly to December 6, the festival of St. Nicholas.” ~ The New Student’s Reference Work (1914)