The Origins of Boxing Day
There are several theories as to the origin of Boxing Day, but in general the tradition has long included the wealthy giving money and other gifts to the poor. The European tradition dates to the Middle Ages, but some claim it dates back even farther to the late Roman/early Christian era when metal boxes were placed outside churches to collect special offerings connected to the Feast of Saint Stephen. A reference to Boxing Day’s origins appears in the Christmas Carol, “Good King Wenceslas.” Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, saw a poor man gathering wood…
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Jolabokaflod
Every Christmas Eve, Icelandic people practice something called ‘jolabokaflod,’ which translates to ‘Christmas book flood. ‘ Jolabokaflod’ is pronounced Jola-boka-flod (with the ‘J’ sounding like the ‘Y’ in ‘yoghurt!) The tradition involves giving books as presents on Christmas Eve, so that friends and family can spend a cozy night in curled up with a good story. Let’s set the scene. It’s Christmas Eve and after receiving a brand-new book from your family, you sit comfortably in your favourite chair close to a warm fire with chocolates to eat and a mug of hot cocoa to spend the rest of the…
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Winter Solstice
In the northern latitudes, midwinter’s day has been an important time for celebration throughout the ages. The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. On this shortest day of the year, and longest night, the sun is at its lowest and weakest; a pivotal turning point of the year from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. The Romans called it Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of…
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LOOK INSIDE 420 High School-Christmas Edition, by Gary Winstead
Would you like to look inside our author’s books to see if you might like to read them? Here is a Christmas example for you. You will find more on our website in ‘featured books’. www.crimsoncloakpublishing.com
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Guest Blog by P.J.Roscoe
10 Things you may like to know about the Celebration of Yule By P.J. Roscoe Yule is swiftly coming around, so I thought it would be interesting to learn a little about the upcoming event. “The cold & dark of winter are as necessary to life as the heat and light of the summer.” Kate West “I call upon the old gods, the reborn sun and the Oak King who has vanquished his brother the Holly King, to bring forth the light once more. May the spark of light this day, grow ever stronger, warming the earth and our hearts….
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Wordsearch
We have wordsearch puzzles based on each of our books free to download from a link on the Freebies page of our website. Check them out here Here is one of them to start you off!
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Special Words for Christmas
Sharing the love you feel for others will keep Christmas alive in your heart.
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The First Christmas Card
Have you written all your Christmas cards yet? No, neither have I. We all will be soon though won’t we, but why? Where and how did this tradition begin? The first Christmas card designed for sale was by London artist John Calcott Horsley and commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy British businessman of the 1800’s, who found himself too busy in the festive season to send individual messages to all his friends. Yes, I know the feeling. Being a man who liked to be prepared therefore, in the summer of 1843 Sir Henry commissioned Horsley to design an impressive…
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Funny Facts
Cat urine glows under a black-light. I haven’t personally checked this. If you do, let us know if it is true!
