Restoration of Antique Nativity
The historic church's Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, but the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration. Most Certainly! It was clear that the group was much loved by the people and so I just loved it, too. Later that year came the easy opening to ask Father if I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing from an injury. I had the interest and love and skills.
Find full photo gallery https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007
A Nativity Story
BACKGROUND: Around 2000, I came to live in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut, recuperating from injuries from an accident. Just when I thought my life and work would be downed, maybe permanently, new opportunities found me, like the task of restoring a beloved old collection of figures for the Creche, or manger scene, at a local church.
I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing - especially since I had the interest and love and skills. Father White mentioned that the creche had been there when he arrived but that he was retiring and could not take up the project himself. But the pastor who succeeded him, Father Rick Ricard, took up the project happily.
BEGIN THE TASK: We planned, researched the specifics of tech needs for old, early fiberglass; shopped for the supplies and got to work. Five minutes on the job and , everyone on the village park shoppes area knew of the project ! It was clear that the Old Nativity Figures were important to them. I was thrilled with the interest and said so. "It wouldn't be Christmas without that Creche", one said, " I am 55, and they were here as far back as I can remember." I felt much better supported in the work ahead.
BLESSING: The Old Convent Garage was my studio and 'Step One', of course, was assessment of the details of the task. I took "Before" photos of the group of figures, for reference and comparison later, and smiled when this "odd" exposure effect presented to me at upload. The image of this Glowing Infant figure was inspiring, as I set to work.
THE TASK DELIVERS AN EXCITING SURPRISE ! : Following the norm for the work of restoring fourteen life-sized figures involved: Research into Provenance, technical needs and update research for best materials/methods/process.
Inspection revealed incised ID numbers and letters and a name at the foot of the pedestals. And internet search was a revelation: the figures were designed by Dick Wiken, a world-class sculptor with many fine achievements to his credit, and the man who designed the head for the famous WPA Doll. Big Story!
I took the revelations to the church. What a delightful moment, and happy hum among us, like on the "Antiques Roadshow" program many of us never miss. Further investigation resulted in official respect for the restoration. It would take longer to do than I could afford to gift. And I was paid.
MORE REVELATIONS: The Community must have truly loved that group! After more than 50 years, all 14 figures were there and intact ! When the word got around about the restoration, a few men of the parish found me and they were jubilant: there had been a special care group for the figures. Over time, the numbers of the group dwindled and faded, but remained. One of the now-mature "apprentices" , was thrilled to find me to celebrate this restoration of spirit as well as figures.
PROCESS: The very old paint was pale and chipped and flaked, efforts to repair it in the past were not lasting. Most of the figures showed pitting - a natural dehydration effect with old fiberglass "Blo-molds". Many had cracks and the delicate Infant Jesus figure had lost a thumb; a toe and one arm had large holes in two places. At every step, this project was dripping with symbolism.
The lovely features would shine again - effects, and details in costumes and trimmings meant a fine and fancy finish to it all. "Planning my play" fixed an issue with thinner fumes; I would do all the related tasks, then open the fumey stuff, work fast , and close it up, then finish for the day.
I began with the Angel - so she could bless the project and keep an eye on me while I worked. The effects I was able to obtain were very encouraging. The infant's injuries wanted more attention. I sang and prayed and worked with a feeling of privilege, continuing on to the Statues of Mary and Joseph; the Shepherds and Wise Men; the Lambs and the good Donkey. The faithful animals were sentinels as worked.
Dirt and flaking were removed, and surfaces smoothed. The putty/filler repaired the cracks and the parish sexton did some wood restorations to the wooden support for the donkey and found an area heater when the weather cooled, and extra lights, when the days shortened. Then the primer coat to seal and protect was followed by the new paints for each figure and that, in turn, sealed and shined with clear topcoat. Completed well. And all in homage to the Holy Family who changed the world.
DONE AND TIME TO COME TO THE STABLE: Time to set up the Nativity Figures had arrived, and the last sweep with the paintbrush on the rosy cheek of the Infant Jesus figure! The men of the parish set up the life-sized lighted wooden stable, nestled in beds and stacks of hay.
Once again, the Angel was called on first - and her figure attached over the door of the stable to hover in exultation.
Donkey, lambs, shepherds, Magi, and finally Mary and Joseph completed the scene of waiting for the Coming of the Savior. The Infant figure would not be placed till near Christmas Eve. A photo of the creche I restored appeared, at the Saint Bernard Church website Home page, front and center at the 2007 Christmas season. There was also a note about the Restoration and the invitation to the parish to join the annual event of caroling and placing the Infant in the creche on Dec.22, 2007 after the 5pm Vigil Mass. In December, it was already evening at that time of day, and so lunaria were lit and placed for their glow along the path from church to site of the creche - all followed and gathered round and began the carols.
Then, Father Rick Ricard, pastor, brought the Infant figure from the rectory to the site, and presented it to a little boy and a little girl, who, together, placed the Infant in the manger. I sang to the Infant represented by that figure, often, with it in my lap, while at the work the past months, and this time, I was joined by quite a chorus and lead by our priests.
They say it was chilly out, but not at the Creche that night!
I was glad we had chosen the super-weatherproof paints used on fiberglass yachts - it was clear and cold, but, even if it was freezing rain, the glow of the figures would win through for many years. In fact, it glows naturally with an nearly-spooky photo-realistic effect - if the air gets very cold the skin tones change hue, just as though they were live. And then when it warms, the color returns to normal.
I was enjoying the pageant, at the back of the crowd - when Father called me up to the front of the group to recognize me, personally, and the work involved - I used to enjoy hearing the word "gratified" when others were in my place, and now that word was mine to say and feel. The moment was the kind of treasure nothing can mar.
All was merry and bright! Caroling continued and then a cheer followed by the invitation from Father to join the reception at the rectory, which proceeded to the church hall for refreshments and more chat, to make a special evening marking the completion and beginning of special things!
NEW! Latest book about the famous Sculptor features these figure molds, including the famous WPA Doll's head, and leading architectural sculptures.
Dick Wiken, Milwaukee Architectural Sculptor
FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF THE PROJECT AT https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007
Restoration of Antique Nativity - FDR/WPA/FAP
The historic church's Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, but the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration. Most Certainly! It was clear that the group was much loved by the people and so I just loved it, too. Later that year came the easy opening to ask Father if I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing from an injury. I had the interest and love and skills.
Find full photo gallery https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007
A Nativity Story
BACKGROUND: Around 2000, I came to live in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut, recuperating from injuries from an accident. Just when I thought my life and work would be downed, maybe permanently, new opportunities found me, like the task of restoring a beloved old collection of figures for the Creche, or manger scene, at a local church.
I might restore the figures, to say thank you for the community support for me while healing - especially since I had the interest and love and skills. Father White mentioned that the creche had been there when he arrived but that he was retiring and could not take up the project himself. But the pastor who succeeded him, Father Rick Ricard, took up the project happily.
BEGIN THE TASK: We planned, researched the specifics of tech needs for old, early fiberglass; shopped for the supplies and got to work. Five minutes on the job and , everyone on the village park shoppes area knew of the project ! It was clear that the Old Nativity Figures were important to them. I was thrilled with the interest and said so. "It wouldn't be Christmas without that Creche", one said, " I am 55, and they were here as far back as I can remember." I felt much better supported in the work ahead.
BLESSING: The Old Convent Garage was my studio and 'Step One', of course, was assessment of the details of the task. I took "Before" photos of the group of figures, for reference and comparison later, and smiled when this "odd" exposure effect presented to me at upload. The image of this Glowing Infant figure was inspiring, as I set to work.
THE TASK DELIVERS AN EXCITING SURPRISE ! : Following the norm for the work of restoring fourteen life-sized figures involved: Research into Provenance, technical needs and update research for best materials/methods/process.
Inspection revealed incised ID numbers and letters and a name at the foot of the pedestals. And internet search was a revelation: the figures were designed by Dick Wiken, a world-class sculptor with many fine achievements to his credit, and the man who designed the head for the famous WPA Doll. Big Story!
I took the revelations to the church. What a delightful moment, and happy hum among us, like on the "Antiques Roadshow" program many of us never miss. Further investigation resulted in official respect for the restoration. It would take longer to do than I could afford to gift. And I was paid.
MORE REVELATIONS: The Community must have truly loved that group! After more than 50 years, all 14 figures were there and intact ! When the word got around about the restoration, a few men of the parish found me and they were jubilant: there had been a special care group for the figures. Over time, the numbers of the group dwindled and faded, but remained. One of the now-mature "apprentices" , was thrilled to find me to celebrate this restoration of spirit as well as figures.
PROCESS: The very old paint was pale and chipped and flaked, efforts to repair it in the past were not lasting. Most of the figures showed pitting - a natural dehydration effect with old fiberglass "Blo-molds". Many had cracks and the delicate Infant Jesus figure had lost a thumb; a toe and one arm had large holes in two places. At every step, this project was dripping with symbolism.
The lovely features would shine again - effects, and details in costumes and trimmings meant a fine and fancy finish to it all. "Planning my play" fixed an issue with thinner fumes; I would do all the related tasks, then open the fumey stuff, work fast , and close it up, then finish for the day.
I began with the Angel - so she could bless the project and keep an eye on me while I worked. The effects I was able to obtain were very encouraging. The infant's injuries wanted more attention. I sang and prayed and worked with a feeling of privilege, continuing on to the Statues of Mary and Joseph; the Shepherds and Wise Men; the Lambs and the good Donkey. The faithful animals were sentinels as worked.
Dirt and flaking were removed, and surfaces smoothed. The putty/filler repaired the cracks and the parish sexton did some wood restorations to the wooden support for the donkey and found an area heater when the weather cooled, and extra lights, when the days shortened. Then the primer coat to seal and protect was followed by the new paints for each figure and that, in turn, sealed and shined with clear topcoat. Completed well. And all in homage to the Holy Family who changed the world.
DONE AND TIME TO COME TO THE STABLE: Time to set up the Nativity Figures had arrived, and the last sweep with the paintbrush on the rosy cheek of the Infant Jesus figure! The men of the parish set up the life-sized lighted wooden stable, nestled in beds and stacks of hay.
Once again, the Angel was called on first - and her figure attached over the door of the stable to hover in exultation.
Donkey, lambs, shepherds, Magi, and finally Mary and Joseph completed the scene of waiting for the Coming of the Savior. The Infant figure would not be placed till near Christmas Eve. A photo of the creche I restored appeared, at the Saint Bernard Church website Home page, front and center at the 2007 Christmas season. There was also a note about the Restoration and the invitation to the parish to join the annual event of caroling and placing the Infant in the creche on Dec.22, 2007 after the 5pm Vigil Mass. In December, it was already evening at that time of day, and so lunaria were lit and placed for their glow along the path from church to site of the creche - all followed and gathered round and began the carols.
Then, Father Rick Ricard, pastor, brought the Infant figure from the rectory to the site, and presented it to a little boy and a little girl, who, together, placed the Infant in the manger. I sang to the Infant represented by that figure, often, with it in my lap, while at the work the past months, and this time, I was joined by quite a chorus and lead by our priests.
They say it was chilly out, but not at the Creche that night!
I was glad we had chosen the super-weatherproof paints used on fiberglass yachts - it was clear and cold, but, even if it was freezing rain, the glow of the figures would win through for many years. In fact, it glows naturally with an nearly-spooky photo-realistic effect - if the air gets very cold the skin tones change hue, just as though they were live. And then when it warms, the color returns to normal.
I was enjoying the pageant, at the back of the crowd - when Father called me up to the front of the group to recognize me, personally, and the work involved - I used to enjoy hearing the word "gratified" when others were in my place, and now that word was mine to say and feel. The moment was the kind of treasure nothing can mar.
All was merry and bright! Caroling continued and then a cheer followed by the invitation from Father to join the reception at the rectory, which proceeded to the church hall for refreshments and more chat, to make a special evening marking the completion and beginning of special things!
NEW! Latest book about the famous Sculptor features these figure molds, including the famous WPA Doll's head, and leading architectural sculptures.
Dick Wiken, Milwaukee Architectural Sculptor
FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF THE PROJECT AT https://ellefagan.com/creche-restoration-2007
Krustiki - story and recipe
The Krustiki-making at Holidays! The heavenly sweet wafer crisps! The image on this page is of the irons used to make them - passed to me from my Mother, from her Mother, and one day to my daughter. It's not just a treat - it's a life thing and for the love.
The Krustiki-making at Holidays! The image is of the irons passed to me from my Mother, from her Polish-American Mother, and one day to my daughter. It's not just a treat - it's a statement of life and love.
As with many of the world's favorites, this treat is called by several names, & more than one country claims it for its own. In America today, we call them "Rosettes", and I also like the literal translation of krustiki, "little crusts" or cookies.
People refer to the collection of several other Polish cookies by the name, as well, including one that is also called Angel’s wings or one called Christmas babies. Photos follow here. Light, sweet, easy to make, although, our family favorite requires the “irons”, heated and dipped into batter and fastfried, and sugar-dusted, like those in the photo at left, often passed down through the generations.
Whatever the name, they are special!
The story through the years:
I ~ Krustiki ~ 1956 In childhood, I loved school - both the ones at Greenfield Hill and beloved Saint Anthony's, which was not just school, but generations after it was founded to help Polish-Americans learn perfect English and "be good Americans", the Saint Anthony’s Polish-American experience was a fine opportunity to learn and pass on my Mother's cultural favorites, as well.
At Holidays , especially, I spent many happy hours, with the older women, learning and sharing the rituals, like the making of the delicate "Krustiki", meaning "Little Crusts". Today, proudly, the stars,flowers & rounds are still made privately, in very special groups.
The krustiki irons, passed on through generations of women, are brought out from wrappings, cleaned, attached to their handles, and set into pans of hot oil to heat. When all is ready, the hot iron forms are dipped in batter and oil till crisp - then cooled and dusted with confectioners sugar, and the result is exciting! Crispy, yet tender light and melt-in-the-mouth sweet and yet not too fattening. Oh yes! they were, and still are, a delight! Such fun and then the irons carefully cleaned , oiled and wrapped and put away for the next time. A worthy afternoon for a young girl - Strong, nice, kind, and perpetuating.
The mommies' approval and interest was so good for feelings of worth in a child. They cared, and so I cared. I felt there was symbolism in making the krustiki : Women, so delicate and lacy and yet strong as iron - easier to understand, while making krustiki! We are batter in the hands of God, by whatever name you call Source of Life!
Star-shaped Krustiki - super light and a airy and yet a satisfying treat to eat!
II ~ Krustiki ~ 1976 No act is really simple, and even the simplest tasks inspire complex thought. With the Mothers and Aunties, I was learning the big lessons and was not afraid to think. Working side-by-side, it was all easy.
Years passed: growing up, I did fine in studies and truly blessed marriage and wonderful son and daughter! Glad I worked and prayed and played and cared - my dreams came true, with work and love - and Motherhood of my own, with gifts to share! Far away from 'roots' in every way, now it was not just pleasant, It was clarifying to do the krustiki-making on my own - it was so different and even more special. Connecting me in spirit, with the Mothers and Aunties of my childhood, there was an overflow of happy love in the continuum.
My Mother visited often and the visits often included the special preparation of Krustiki, and now,my own daughter alongside us and joyfully, by her own preference! Exult! To reward her interest... Not a word of teaching - "permissions" for her to enjoy and learn, as she pleased!
III ~ Krustiki ~ 1996 Time and time passing too swiftly! The family circle was growing up and well. Then My husband's sudden and early death Made the sweetness of empty-nesting not so easy. Mother remained true when all lights failed due to the recession threatening nearly everyone. The lessons from those days with the "mommies" were MUCH more than sweet recollections - but insurance policies that saved my soul when so severely stricken.
A reprise of girlhood Response work was considered a creative and classic choice to help grief recovery, and did, though it got important, became an adventure, including three kinds of rescue, and also American Red Cross, local and "away" work during Operation Desert Storm. And more - too much more. I finally fell to injury and exhaustion. Medical needs set up, I was relocated to the airy Connecticut Hills, near the lakes, rivers and waterfalls...a beautiful healing experience! It worked partly because ethnic arts and crafts thrive there, and I was delighted to be asked to join in the seasonal group cooking of a few thousand Krustiki, prepared by the Church as a fundraiser.
Many of the women were seniors to me. Most of them did not know me. Still, on the word of others, I was very kindly treated, and I reveled in the memories of similar times in girlhood. I laughed at the anachronism of my "adventure boots" and promised daintier footwear next time.We worked in teams of two and I served as assistant at first; My partner wielded the irons, I was the tipper, flipper, tapper and drainer. Another work team collected the completed crusts, sugaring, packaging and storing them till Bazaar time.
Now my senior partner, satisfied that I would not injure myself or anyone else, allowed me the lead task. I heated my iron, dipped it carefully into the batter, then into the hot oil and tended the twin krustiki diligently. When they looked right, I eased them off the irons. Pausing as the irons reheated, I glanced about and my partner who was staring at my work oddly. Why?
My partner, mature and coolheaded, must have expected poor results from me, disabled, because she stared wide-eyed at my "snappy" work, and then at me, and I quietly rejoiced in her respect, and the treasured secret smile for us both! Or maybe it was just that is cool to Always wear world-class adventure boots when making krustiki?
IV~ Krustiki ~ 2016 And sharing this and its power to heal minor woes for its goodness. It is still there - the glow of love created through such the "simple" tasks! These words are a duty, a tour de force! My Husband is gone long ago and fine and free again for a long time; but my Mother, 90 and in decline, no longer recognizes me and so, more than ever, these moments must be not be lost, I hope stories like this one bring a glow to all its readers. She passed away in December 2017 and yes…it is Christmas 2018 and the sorrow fading and rich and wonderful legacy remains!
These customs and creations make , in their making, life itself ! Gloria!
Praise for their maker and the Angels who seemed to bless us through it all!
The Rosette-shaped Krustiki, the best-known - they display so nicely- so light!
~ a popular krustiki recipe ~
Buy the Polish Rosette irons online in many forms and shapes - Amazon has them and many Polish wares stores online and off.
As with many of the world's favorites, this treat is called by several names,
& more than one country claims it for its own. In America today, we call them "Rosettes"
Or enjoy the literal translation, "little crusts". Whatever the name, they are special!
krustiki or 'rosette" irons
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon lemon extract ( vanilla or your preference is fine )
confectioner's sugar for dusting finished cookies
Add sugar to slightly beaten eggs, then add milk. Sift flour before measuring, then together with salt. Stir into first mixture and beat until smooth (about the consistency of heavy cream). Add flavoring. Fry as directed.
For extra nice Rosettes, allow batter to stand two hours covered in refrigerator before frying.
Caution: Do not do this with children until you have mastered it yourself.
And later, When there are children working with you, gently but firmly teach and stay aware that hot oil is HOT! *** If you wash the irons immediately before cooking time, put them in a warm oven for a minute to dry thoroughly, or water in the crevices may cause the oil to spit and burn. Watch out for steam during cooking, too, and plan to test for the best temperature for the oil, and time in the oil, for a nice golden crust.
...but, back to the fun! Our church ladies group does up tons of them for fundraisers at our Christmas Bazaar. They substitute the extract with some fine brandy or rum.....yum!......Theoretically, the alcohol evaporates during cooking, leaving only a special gentle flavor, so they are safe for alcohol-restricted diets, but check ...The preparation can be more fun with this recipe :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UP0VKrfHdk This video is the closest to the Polish generations-old process that I could find. May make my own video soon. The video shows it is fun and simpler than you might imagine ! And worth the effort!
My commentary on this video:
Shows the double- headed irons, available online for purchase as "Rosette cookie irons"
shows a very old sifter that I do NOT support - nice fresh clean sifter is safer
shows the wonderful process JUST right, though, but
does not show the optional turning with a cooking fork, in the oil to cook the white inside of the cookie - doughiness is fatal - crisp but not burned is key.
So, when the cookie looks almost done on the irons, take the fork and gently poke the cookie off the iron and over into the oil - let the cookie float in the oil, just a moment, till the white inside has crisped and then use the fork to remove the cookie to drain.
Takes a bit of practice and wearing cooking gloves if you fear you may splash.
"JingleBells" - the crisis!
Controversy over the origin of the Famous Winter Holiday Song
By RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writer
SAVANNAH, Ga.
- Dashing in the sun, through oaks and Spanish moss. Sleigh riding's no fun, when there's no snow to cross. Could "Jingle Bells" really be a song of the South? It's not hard to see why balmy Savannah has a tough time selling the Christmas carol as a native creation. Or why the claim makes folks in Medford, Mass. _ hometown of the song's composer _ cry humbug.
This much is known:
Controversy over the origin of the Famous Winter Holiday Song
By RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writer
SAVANNAH, Ga.
- Dashing in the sun, through oaks and Spanish moss.
Sleigh riding's no fun, when there's no snow to cross.
Could "Jingle Bells" really be a song of the South?
It's not hard to see why balmy Savannah has a tough time selling the Christmas carol as a native creation.
Or why the claim makes folks in Medford, Massachusetts, hometown of the song's composer, cry "Humbug ! ".
This much is known: James Pierpont was the organist at Savannah's Unitarian Universalist Church in 1857 when he copyrighted the song, "One Horse Open Sleigh," a title later changed to "Jingle Bells." One of the most popular American Christmas songs, "Jingle Bells" made Pierpont a pre-Civil War one-hit wonder. But did he write it here as a piece of homesick, holiday nostalgia? Or did he compose it years before in Medford, not seeing the tune as a moneymaker until he drifted south? "No one really knows where he was when he wrote it - that's the rub" , said Constance Turner, Pierpont's great-granddaughter in Coronado, Calif. "Evidently, James was quite the free-spirit and he published some bad songs and one, at least, we know of that's a very good song."
Medford, just outside Boston, claimed the carol without challenge until 1969, when Milton Rahn, a Savannah Unitarian, announced he had linked the song's composer to Georgia. Rahn was listening to his daughter play "Jingle Bells" on the piano when he glanced at the sheet music and noticed the composer's name: J. Pierpont. He had earlier found letters John Pierpont Jr., the church's pastor from 1852 to 1858, had written home to Medford saying his brother, James, had come to Savannah as an organist and music teacher. Further research found the composer had married in Savannah in 1857 weeks before he copyrighted "Jingle Bells." "I saw this as something to help us get publicity for the church," Rahn said.
Pierpont, who lived from 1822 to 1893, was said to be a wanderer who ran away to sea at 14 and later went to California during the Gold Rush. During the Civil War, he joined a Confederate cavalry regiment in Savannah, bucking his family's staunch abolitionist views. Though Pierpont came from an aristocratic family - his nephew was the financier John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan - he never made much money himself. His other songs included several touting the Confederate cause, with titles such as "We Conquer Or Die" and "Strike For The South." But none struck a chord like "Jingle Bells."
After Savannah erected a "Jingle Bells" marker across from the church in 1985, then-Mayor John Rousakis declared the tune a Savannah song. To folks in Medford, that made Rousakis and Rahn a pair of grinches out to steal their Christmas history. A series of not-so-jolly exchanges followed. "In the words of Shakespeare, it is our intention to keep our `honor from corruption' ", Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn wrote in a 1989 letter to Rousakis. "We unequivocally state that `Jingle Bells' was composed ... in the Town of Medford during the year 1850!" Rousakis fired back with an equally strong, unyielding letter. "James L. Pierpont is still here with us," Rousakis wrote, noting the composer's Savannah burial. "I am sure (Pierpont) will join us in spirit when we finally and formally proclaim Savannah, Georgia, as the birthplace of `Jingle Bells.'"
According to Medford, Pierpont was inspired by the winter sleigh races down snow-filled Salem Street in Medford and wrote the song at the Simpson Tavern, a boarding house with the only piano in town. Ace Collins, author of the 2001 book "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas," says he found more proof of Medford being the rightful birthplace while researching his chapter on "Jingle Bells." Collins said he found a New England newspaper from the early 1840s that mentioned "One Horse Open Sleigh" debuting in Medford at a Thanksgiving church service. The song proved so popular, he said, Pierpont gave a repeat performance at Christmas. When it comes to which city deserves bragging rights, Collins gets diplomatic. Pierpont may have written his song in Medford, he says, but Savannah made him realize its universal appeal. "Savannah was the key," Collins said. "If it can play in Savannah, where snow was a novelty, it can play anywhere."
On the Net:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah Georgia probable site of debut of "Jingle Bells"
Medford Massachusetts birthplace of author of "Jingle Bells"
Songwriters Hall of Fame ~ have fun finding the story behind other favorite songs, Holiday and "otherwise".
Oscar the Mouse
True family winter story - first published in 2004
Both of our two childhood homes and neighborhoods were classic: this one, in 1959, was part of my Mother's inheritance from her Father. In happy and prosperous times, she and my Father remodeled it completely, and he carved her name in a heart on the foundation. Respectable property with vegetable garden, iconic local flowers and fruit trees, and , on the fence Mother and neighbor Julia Mills grew concord grapes and there was jam-making every summer! There were huge maples and oak with a swing always tied to its branches, and evergreens to tantalize us with promise of Christmas, all year long!
True family winter story - first published in 2004
Both of our two childhood homes and neighborhoods were classic: this one, in 1959, was part of my Mother's inheritance from her Father. In happy and prosperous times, she and my Father remodeled it completely, and he carved her name in a heart on the foundation. Respectable property with vegetable garden, iconic local flowers and fruit trees, and , on the fence Mother and neighbor Julia Mills grew concord grapes and there was jam-making every summer ! There were huge maples and oak with a swing always tied to its branches, and evergreens to tantalize us with promise of Christmas, all year long !
That year, however, we had a problem: construction of new homes, begun that summer, just across the street, was going quietly and beautifully and our real estate value expected to improve from the neighborhood upgrade. If only the clearing of the sunny, grassy field hadn't created many homeless field mice, the project would have been flawless ! Father and Mother leading our Army, we fought a mighty war against the mouse invasion till winter ended it.
Our home calmed and then shifted into Winter Holiday preparations. Time enough to forget our " Battle of the River Street Field Mice". But now, WE were the "scurry-ers", with so much to do ! Cooking, at least, was again safe and hygienic, without the mice, and decorations and the Nativity Scene, shopping and choir and Christmas-caroling group and the sacred re-enactment of the birth of Jesus, and Midnight Mass, and Santa, restoring all the warm and generous feelings. After chasing things OUT, we could WELCOME once again !
Family time after dinner - an hour to relax with our favorite tv shows, till my Brother pointed to a spot behind us - at the very center of the living-room carpet, just behind the TV area, a mouse was sitting up and politely alert, as though he had been invited to join our TV circle !
He was "theater", in his cheery innocence; solitary, self-contained and thoughtfully sharing the television program, he kept to his spot, as though it truly was HIS spot. We simply stared in disbelief, and determined not to lose our Christmas Spirit, warily welcomed him to the circle and resumed our enjoyment of the Television Program with our unexpected and unlikely guest. Sometime during the show, he must have left, since he was gone when we next glanced in his direction.
Off and on, but ongoing, throughout that holiday, the mouse reappeared, and an imaginary, smiling, rapport developed among us, as he carefully took the same spot on the carpet, and seemed to fit right in. After the first few visits, my Brother named him "Oscar" - since he showed dignity and personhood - he was quite the "ham" - and after all the "mouse-in-the-house" troubles, this Christmas Mouse brought warmth and smiles and a secret among us, since most of our neighbors would not understand this "about-face" from Mouse Wars to rapport with Oscar !
Father, being always the Libra philosopher, captured our eyes and attention with that look that says, ' there is an important life lesson to be learned here.' Christmas Mouse stories are classic - "And now," he said, we have a "Christmas Mouse" story of our own.
Sometime thru that holiday, Oscar ended his visits, but more than forty years later, the memory is still a delight ! I hope you think so , too!
May we celebrate the special winter holiday renewal of the fundamental spirit of Hospitality throughout the Season, especially for unexpected and unusual Guests ! ~ elle
The Twelve Days of Christmas Decoded
An Underground Catechism ~
You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of unique gifts.
An Underground Catechism ~
You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I think. To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of unique gifts.
Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. It was used as a memory aid, when to be caught with anything "in writing", indicating adherence to the Catholic faith, could be risking one's very life! Church history includes many British Catholic martyrs for the faith during this era.
The song's gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
"On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree" The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury (since he rose from the dead) to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." This opening symbolic reference bewails the current persecution, and the desire to protect the faithful and tutor the "nestlings" - christian children.
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The First Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch",
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed in P.S. below.
-Paraphrased from -Fr. Hal Stockert 12/17/95 ( his version had to be cleaned up because his report of the persecutions digressed into boyish delight in describing methods of torture....not really appropriate or inspiring. But no other changes made.)
P.S. It has come to our attention that this tale is made up of both fact and fiction. But may it be that this tale give courage, and determination to use any creative means at one's disposal to keep one's faith alive. Original resource: Copyright © 1987-2003 Catholic Information Network (CIN) - Updated: 12-26-03
P.S. RE: On the twelfth day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming.
The twelve drummers represent the twelve precepts of the Faith presented in the Apostle's Creed. The translation of the Creed given in the Catechism is given below.
- I believe in God, the father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
- I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
- Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
- suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
- He descended into hell.
- On the third day he rose again from the dead
- He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
- He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints
- the forgiveness of sins
- the resurrection of the body, and
- life everlasting. Amen.
The Tablecloth - TrueYule loveStory
THE TABLECLOTH is a true winter holiday story - with a wonderful happy ending!
THE TABLECLOTH - true winter holiday story
The brand new pastor and his wife, arrived in early October at Suburban Brooklyn, New York, newly assigned to their first ministry, to re-open a church that was not in use, very run down and needing much work. Undaunted, they set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve 1970.
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, and more. It was December 18 and they were ahead of schedule and just about finished. Then, on December 19, a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor's heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 10 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor. Prepared to postpone the Christmas Eve service, he headed home.
On the way, he noticed that a local business was having a flea-market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman was running from the opposite direction,trying to catch a bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus, 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry.
The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area !
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was very pale. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, "EBG" were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.
The woman was stunned as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war, she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again!
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
To thank her for her beautiful gift, the pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a house-cleaning job. He then hurried back to prepare for the evening's duties.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve! The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great! At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. But one older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall, because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago, when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and witnessed the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine!
A True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid