Christian Symbolism for Christmas

Thought I would share a few fun and interesting thoughts on Christian Symbolism for Christmas!

I have always been interested in tidbits like these and perhaps you may be too!

You all know the ever popular song The Twelve Days of Christmas... but are you aware of the symbolism of the song relating to Christ and Religion?

1. True love refers to God's Love.

2. Turtle Doves refer to the Old and New Testiments of the Bible.

3. French Hens refer to the Virtues - Faith, Hope & Love.

4. Calling Birds refer to the 4 Evangelists or the 4 Gospels.

5. Golden Rings refer to the first 5 books of the Gospel- The history of man's fall from Grace.

6. Geese a Laying refers to the 6 days of creation.

7. Swans a Swimming refers to the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 7 Sacrements.

8. Maids of Milking refers to the 8 beatitudes.

9. Ladies Dancing refers to the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. Lords a Leaping refers to the 10 Commandments.

11. Pipers Piping refers to the 11 Apostles.

12.  Drummers Drumming refers to the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed

The Symbolic Meaning of the Candy Cane

White if for purity - The Virgin birth and the purity of life.

Red represents Christ's blood and sacrifice.

The hardness of the candy represents the church founded on solid rock and the promise of God.

The curve or crook of the candy represents a shephards hook or the "J" in Jesus.

And since I have gotten the post for today for the Blogshare,  here is our guest blogger for the 22nd day of Christmas!

This Momma Says:



Christmas is just right around the corner and normally the last thing that everyone is shopping for are those small gifts and stocking stuffers. All those little things you kept saying to yourself that you'd pick up later..... Well 'later' is NOW!

Here is a great list of OVER 100 small and inexpensive gift ideas! I don't know about you, but I hate filling stockings and buying small 'filler' presents only to be throwing away those things within weeks, because they were junk!


This year I've decided that instead of wasting money, I'm buying things that are either needed, useful or consumable!

Another great idea for coworkers, friends or family is to group some of these items together for a "theme basket". I tried to group the items together as best I could! Here are a few suggestions... Baking, coffee, makeup, nails, art, golf, spa, electronics, car care, etc.

Also, considering that most of these items are $5.00 or less this would be a wonderful way to bless a family in need! We will be filling a stocking to send to our World Vision child, but you could also drop off with a charity, a church or a specific family that you know! What a wonderful blessing to someone you could be! And what a lesson it would be for your children!

Wishing you and your's a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Day! May all your hopes and dreams come true!
(continue reading here)

Days 20 & 21 with A Sweet Suprise!

Hi everyone, sorry so so late with our 20th day of Christmas Blog share post which should have ran yesterday!  Seems like life just got in the way!  My apologies.  Today we are sharing with Allergy Free Vintage Cookery and with It's Not Over Until You Quit! for days 20 & 21 along with a sweet surprise!

Featured Blog Day #20 - Allergy Free Vintage Cookery

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the chance to share special meals with friends and family... but what can you do if some of your loved ones are allergic to your favorite traditional foods? It can be tricky to avoid gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, fish and nuts... the most common food allergens. But take hope! I've searched the Internet to find delicious recipes that are free of the top 8 allergens, and I've collected them here with photos and links to inspire your own holiday feast! (click for more).

 Featured Blog Day #21-  It's Not Over Until You Quit!

Do you have a favorite Christmas book? Has it changed since you were little? The books I read at Christmas have changed but I still love the idea of have specific books for Christmas. Right now my favorite Christmas book to read with my nephews is the Hawaiian version of the night before Christmas. It's nice to bring that piece of my childhood alive when I live so far away and remember reading books about snowy Christmas' on Christmas eve wishing I could experience that!

So come with me and experience Wuz da Nite Befo' A Pidgin Christmas Story in Hawaii, written by Margaret Steele and illustrated by Roy Chang.  {click} here to read more!

What a sweet surprise I received in an email from "Rita", complete with photos!  I am just so excited to see that she used the Snow Babies Tute and converted it to use on some beautiful Christmas Cookies!

 I just love seeing all of those cute little faces!  It's like a snow baby parade!  Thanks so much Rita for sharing!

And, in case you missed the tute which I had shared on Imprintalish {here}.  I'll post it below for you!

This tutes kind of a 2 for 1 because with the same pattern and a color change you can make these adorable little gingerbread ornaments as well!

My ornaments were painted with regular acrylic craft paints, mostly with Plaid products, onto thin circles of balsa wood. 

Don't limit yourself to just wood!

You could paint these on Christmas cookies with edible paints/markers & cupcakes too!

Oh and by the way, my strong suit is not editing or making pdf's so please use the photo below as a guide to making your pattern.  Feel free to right click and save, re size, then print to use as a pattern.

It was meant to be a game for your preschooler but since I am totally not skilled enough to make it a nice PDF for you... a pattern it became!

(sorry)

Snow Baby Faces: Base each circle with white paint.  I add a mother of pearl glaze on top to add shimmer.  (I am a glitz and glitter addict!)

Gingerbread Faces:  Base with brown.  I used a brown called Nutmeg.

1.  Use a scruffy old brush to dry brush pink cheeks onto each.  Wipe almost all of your pink paint off of your brush before brushing onto the faces.

2.  The button noses are a simple oval of red or reddish pink.

3.  Eyes start with a plain circle of black.  I use the wood end of a sponge brush to dot eyes.
4.  Go back with a thin liner brush and pull the circles up into a triangular shape.  The teardrop eyes are so so adorable. 

5.  Using thinned down black paint and your liner brush, draw a squiggly smile.  Another option for the snow babies is to use the opposite end of your brush and dot circles into a smile.
6.  Gently pull out 3 very thin eyelashes from the bottom outside edge of both eyes.

Below you can see what a difference the next few steps make in bringing your little face to life!  Everything is basically done at this point except for the addition of a few white dots and commas. 

7.  Using the end of a thin paintbrush, add a small white dot to the upper outside of the eyeball, then as smaller dot above that one.  Don't dip your brush end back into the paint for the second smaller dot.
8.  Add three white dots to each cheek.  All three dots come from one dip of the end of your brush.

  9.  Using your liner brush, pull a thin comma shaped stroke across the top of the nose for a highlight.  If you're not comfortable making the comma, add two or three dip dots across the top for a similar effect.

10.  You can now add color to the eyes, with another comma stroke and the eye color of your choice.  Below, I've used teal blue... just because!

What a difference the little details make...

Gingerbread Final Step:  Using a liner brush, add your squiggle 'icing' line in a circle around the edge!

I've enjoyed sharing this cute little project with all of you today.

I hope you have fun making some for yourself!

Pick up your paint bush and give this a try, you may feel like a little kid again!

(note:  This project is inspired from the memory of a project I had seen Oh, 10 years ago from a painter named Jamie Mills Price.  My faces are modified to make them my own!)

Day 19 with Coupons for Wisconsin

Tiaras and Bowties along with Parga's Junkyard and many other holiday-lovin' blogs bring bring you 25 days worth of ideas and tips to get you through the craziness of this season!

On this 19th day of Christmas, the blogshare brings to you

Coupons For Wisconsin

Even with everyone looking for a little more help in tight economic times, individuals seem to be feeling extra charitable over the last year. I am not going to go into all the details, but to make a it short, dollars donated have increased 1.3% from 2010 to 2011. Surprising, right? But as more is being donated, more is also needed. Holidays tend to bring more awareness to charities, and donation opportunities are presented at almost every retailer you visit. How do you react to these opportunities?

Do you donate every chance you get?

Do you throw a handful of coins into the Salvation Army's red bucket once or twice?

Do you do whatever you can to avoid contact with the donation seekers because you literally don't even have a penny to give?

Just last year, I was in the last category. In a way, I still am in that last category! But I have discovered alternative, more creative ways to give to others besides pulling cash out of my pocket. Join me in the joy of helping strangers celebrate this magical season, and explore how you too can donate on a dime.

Come on along as I head over to Coupons for Wisconsin for more ideas to donate and do good for your fellow man this Christmas Season!

Day 17- Childhood Myths

It is my hope that you are all enjoying your time leading up to Christmas Day!  I have managed to enjoy myself thus far with only having to take a few reality breathers.  You know, remembering the reason for all of this!   Not the "run around like a headless chicken,  buying off the shelf, stress myself out til I cry, drain the bank account" kind of things... but the celebration and expressions of Christ's love. 

I am enjoying this Christmas series and hope you are as well!  There have been so many wonderful ideas to help celebrate. 

Join Tiaras and Bowties & Parga's Junkyard as we Share Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

 

On the 17th day of Christmas, we bring to you

 Childhood Myths

Finding Joy and Happiness in Family Traditions

Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, right? Now don't get all "Bah! Humbug!" on me! Concentrating on what makes the holiday special for your family does take some work - mostly mental!! Do you know what traditions are important in your family? Can you find and share your own joy and happiness with those closest to you?

Here are some of the things that our family has come to value and love over time.....

Read Complete Blog post HERE!

Don't forget to link up those projects, recipe, DIY, or giveaways here at T&B's All that Shimmers month long link party.  Go {here} to link up!

Also, there is still time to win a set of 3 hand painted (by me) birdhouses.  You can get more details about that {here} at Imprintalish.

Christmas Blogshare Guest Post #15- My Simple Walk

25 Days of Christmas Blogshare

Day #15

 

My Simple Walk's 10 Day Christmas Countdown

"In just 10 days it will be Christmas! Please come join me over at My Simple Walk, for a countdown. I will have my family's top 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies, the 10 best songs of the holiday season, and 10 last minute, make in less than a day, gift ideas with patterns and instructions for each! 




Shhhhh....There may be a few other surprises as well.
Grab a warm mug of cocoa, turn on those Christmas tunes, and sit a spell with me!"


I am heading over to A Simple Walk right now to read the rest of the post... C'mon, you can come with me!

Don't forget to link those projects up for All that Shimmers {here}

Please join me in welcoming  Rabbit Slippers Blog here on the 14th day of our Christmas Blogshare!  My goodness, Christmas is less than 2 weeks away... time is flying especially with all of the great ideas being shared around blogland!

 The Bunnies of Christmas...

 Often the Holidays can be a difficult or lonely time for those who have no family or friends nearby, or are left behind because it is difficult to manage having one come to visit for a holiday visit-perhaps due to constraints of illness.  Or sadder still, whether through ill family relations or neglectful family, the elderly or disabled family member is left behind.

It is usually difficult for an elderly or sick person in a nursing home, hospital, or assisted living facility, who receives few or no visits, to watch others receive visits or go out during the holiday season.  I have seen this first hand, having worked in nursing homes, a rehab hospital and mental health facility for about 18 years. Even the smallest gesture is appreciated by these people and can mean a lot.

On the other hand, the warmth of a hug, for example, is nice when given by perhaps a staff person or visitor from a church, it is not always the same as when these people participate in interactions with animals.  There is something about animals, that for most people will let them feel even more relaxed and free to enjoy the interaction than with people they aren't as familiar with. Often times the results are amazing!

For years, I have participated in pet therapy programs with various animals owned by facilities or more often with bringing in my own houserabbits (litterbox trained and all!).  Come share this recent holiday season visit at an assisted living facility and feel the holiday magic yourself with....

The Bunnies of Christmas in the Rabbit Slippers Blog   {click to read more!}

Have you missed any of the Blogshare posts thus far?

It's okay... just click here for the complete listing of bloggers participating!

Many thanks to Parga's Junkyard for organizing the share!

Christmas Blogshare Day 13- The Freshman Cook

Welcome back for Day 13! 

 Reminder, for those of you who have not yet entered to win the set of 4 gingerbread ornaments... there is still time!  Just leave a comment {here} before midnight tonight!

Join Tiaras and Bowties along with Parga's Junkyard as we Share
Christmas with some of the web's best bloggers!

25 Days of
Christmas

On this lucky number 13 day of before Christmas, please welcome The Freshman Cook!

***

We are celebrating Christmas with "Cowboy Style" this year. Stop by The Freshman Cook and see what we have rustled up, as we prepare 5 different food gifts "For the Cowboy in all of Us "!!

Do you have a
Christmas blog post you would like to share with our readers? Sign up
on our linky below to share your posts! Or if you are one of our
readers just click on the Linky
to see more Christmas posts to check
out!

 

                                                                 To Read more please head over to The Freshman Cook!

 

 

Just a reminder to come on over tomorrow to find out who will win the set of 4 Gingerbread Ornaments... also, don't forget to link up your projects from the week at the month long 'All that Shimmers' link party {here}.

Day 12 - Pretty Shimmery Things - A Christmas Ornament

Welcome to the 12th Day of Christmas in our 25 day Blogshare!  Today is MY day to share with you all a homemade festive shimmery Christmas trinket.  Today is kind of a two for one because not only am I sharing a cute tute with you here on the blog but  I am also guest posting over at Imprintalish today.  Those of you who have been waiting for the tute on the Snow Baby Faces... you'll want to get over there...asap! Use the pattern to make your own painted ornament or perhaps even on some cute sugar cookies!  Then come back here... mmmK?!?  If you are here for the first time, Welcome!  I am so elated to have you stop by and visit my corner of craziness!

25 Days of Christmas blogshare with Parga's Junkyard and 24 other amazing bloggers!

Day 12 - Tiaras and Bowties - Think Smink's

Shimmery Christmas Ornament

So I had planned on knocking your socks off with an amazing tutorial for a wintery glitzy lamp shade for Christmas decorating.  You know how it is,  you have this idea in your head and it's going to be simply stunning... then you set out to recreate your vision and... big fat fail!  Ended up looking like a big white glittery blob!  What's one to do when they get oh so stressed out over not one but 3 failed attempts?

Move on!  So move on I did!

I bring you the glitz in another wonderful little trinket anyone can do, even got the kids involved to make one too!

All you need is some very ugly glittered plastic ball from your local dollar store, sheet music, some stamps (optional), and brown ink pad, mod podge, and some pretty ribbons or embellishments!

Oh, don't forget the glitter,  you just can't forget the glitter!

My little man, Awesome, started off his year by taking drum lessons and not long after, lost interest so I have a whole book of sheet music on hand (I pick my battles with extra curricular activites).  You can find lots on line to copy as well!  Next we sat and randomly stamped some pretty images onto plain white computer paper then ripped the sheet music and stamped images into smaller bits.  Using the brown stamp pad we "antiqued" the edges of the paper.

Mod Podge time!  Pretty self explanatory... just glue those pretty images down and smooth out as best you can!  Layer the antiqued sheet music and other smaller images around the ball until it is all covered and you see no ugly plastic ball shimmer peeking through!

Honestly,  anyone can do this project!  Even the little man wandered into the kitchen and wanted to make on too!  That is one of the most wonderful things about Christmas time, spending time with your kids... even the ones who are usually out bike riding or enthralled in video games!  Amazing is the power of some messy glue and glitter to interest a child!

Do not forget to add your extra fine glitter as the mod podge sits to dry a few hours or overnight!

Add some pretty ribbon bows in colors to coordinate with your decor.  If you have a theme, add some pretty embellishments as well to glam it up a bit further!  We chose to use a sheer butterfly which matched our color theme and also with the butterfly on our postal stamp.

If you look closely above you will catch a glimpse of  "the blob" snowflake lampshade!

Don't forget to add a ribbon for hanging on the tree and Bazinga...

Thank you for sharing your time with me here on Tiaras and Bowties!

Now, don't forget to stop by Imprintallish for the cute tute for these babies {here}

And don't forget to link up your pretty projects and enter to win a set of these sweeties {here}

today is the last day to enter!

Linking up here:

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This ornament was featured here!  Thanks so much!