My, my, how time flies. I just wrote my 20th annual Christmas letter. Actually, I've been writing annual Christmas letters for about 40 years, but technology allowed me to word process them for the past twenty years. What's fascinating (for me) is each year's Christmas letter is a snapshot of the year. In 2000, Drake and I were both still working and Sarah Lynn was in high school. Now, 20 years later, she's married with four college degrees and a kid, and we are all living in New York City. Yes, time flies.
We all know that 2020 has been all about COVID all the time EXCEPT when it's been about politics. I'm pretty disgusted about the politics, and you can draw your own conclusions as to the source of my disgust. I wake up every morning thankful that yesterday the virus didn't lay anyone low in our family. Of course, the two people who have been the most impacted are my 93 year old mother-in-law and our two year old grandson. Ironically, the impact has been pretty much for the same reasons. It's the physical lockdown of my mother-in-law's independent living situation, and the lockdown of all the available places for enrichment for the toddler.
These are the kinds of costs which are intangible. The tangible ones, of course, are the deaths and the lingering problems getting the virus is causing both physically and mentally. Then, there are the hardships revolving around childcare, job loss, and business failures. Since the problems have been so monumental, it's been hard for me to understand the lack of cohesiveness in the country as we struggle to fight this virus and its effects. Hopefully, soon, this will all be in the rearview mirror of our lives. All I can say is wear your mask and stay out of enclosed rooms and spaces with strangers as much as you can.
That said, the holidays keep rolling around. I've put out my Christmas Carol quiz twice (including last year), and I will resupply it upon anyone's demand. However, this year here's a new Christmas Traditions Matching Game. It's pretty easy, and it will probably be enjoyed mostly by children. Some adults WILL say, "Oh, I didn't know that.", so I thought it was worth reproducing here. It's in two sheets. One the questions, and the other the answers. All you have to do is match the question with the answer. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year. Here's to 2021 being better.
- The mother of Jesus
- This symbol represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three
Wisemen to Baby Jesus.
- A medieval custom of singing
and dancing around a Christmas tree.
- Rang to announce the birth of
Jesus. They still ring today.
- A manger scene representing the Jesus'
place of birth.
- For many years, private notes
of good tidings were sent at Christmas time. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had
1000 special designed cards printed that started this Christmas tradition.
- Began with pre-Christian Romans
who gave sweet cakes to their senators.
- The place where Baby Jesus
slept. It is part of the Creche.
- The animals chosen by St.
Nicholas to pull his sleigh.
- Four candles placed on a
wreath. One candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas in anticipation of
Christ's birthday.
- There is a legend associated
with the beginning of this symbol: St. Nick, who wanted to remain
anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney.
They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry.
- These told the shepherds of the
birth of Jesus.
- Sprigs of this symbol were hung
over the doorways of early French and English households showing that
Christ’s birth was celebrated by the family.
- A real person. He was a kind
bishop who brought presents to children and needy people.
- They came to the manger to
honor Baby Jesus.
- The animals the wise men rode
following the star to where Jesus was born.
- This flower was brought to the U.S.
by Dr. J.R. Poinsett in 1825. He was the first United
States ambassador to Mexico. Because of its flame color
this symbol is sometimes called the Christmas Star.
- The husband of Mary.
- This symbol is full of spices
and fruits. It represents the exotic treasures of the East that the Wise men
brought to Jesus.
- Scholars who came to see Jesus
drawn to him by an astrological phenomenon – a bright new star.
- These represent the light that
Jesus brought to earth.
- The Christ child took shelter
for a night under a pine tree. When the tree realized that it was caring
for Jesus, tears of happiness fell from its branches. The tears froze into
this symbol.
________________________________________________________________________________
1. Advent Wreath ______
2. Angel ______
3. Bells ______
4. Camels ______
5. Candles ______
6. Christmas Cards ______
7. Christmas Caroling ______
8. Christmas Cookies ______
9. Christmas Stocking ______
10.
Creche ______
11.
Holly ______
12.
Icicles ______
13.
Joseph ______
14.
Manger ______
15.
Mary ______
16.
Mince Meat Pie ______
17.
Poinsettia ______
18.
Reindeer ______
19.
Saint Nicholas ______
20.
Shepherds ______
21.
Stars ______
22.
Three Wise men ______
