ADVENT...
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown. Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent. In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice"). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season. In recent times, however, Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis, reflected in a change of colors used in many churches. Except in the Eastern churches, the penitential aspect of the Season has been almost totally replaced by an emphasis on hope and anticipation. In many churches the third Sunday remains the Sunday of Joy marked by pink or rose.
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life NATIVITY...
The Christmas nativity scenes are a replica of the original birth site of Jesus and nativity sets are an essential part of the Christmas celebration all around the world. The story of the nativity comes to us from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Luke’s account describes the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, where they must go to be counted in the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. Unable to find a room in an inn, they take refuge in a stable used to shelter animals. Here Jesus is born and laid in a manger filled with hay. In the hills overlooking Bethlehem an angel tells the Shepherds of Jesus' birth. Matthew tells of a new brilliant star that appears marking the birthplace of Jesus and of the three kings that follow its light to find the Christ Child. Christmas nativity crèches originated in Europe. Many of the Christmas crèches made today are modeled after elaborate German crèches dating back to the seventeenth century. Also the Italian presepio, which used small carved nativity scene figures in the eighteenth century are used as models today. The Italian Fontanini nativity figures and accessories are popular heirloom items today. Usually the Christmas nativity sets are in miniature form and over the years, the sets have been portrayed in many ways. In America the nativity scenes are known as a creche, a word meaning “manger“ or “crib“ in French. The backgrounds and landscapes use wood, glass, ceramic, grass, straw, fabric, and the newest addition is artificial plastic stones. Around the world the nativity is brought to life by churches and other groups. The first live reproduction of the outside Christmas nativity of a church is given to St. Francis of Assisi for the event he staged in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. Since then, the practice has spread around the world in pageants, church reproductions, neighborhood rituals such as the posada, professionally staged plays where huge casts including live animals are utilized, and of course the school plays where sometimes the imaginative interpretations of the script provides highly original versions of the events.
CHRISTMAS CARDS...
The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Victorian England. Earlier, some adults had written Christmas letters. But letters took time to write; and people wanting to share season's greetings with many others had a daunting task. In 1843, British businessman Sir Henry Cole asked artist John Calcott Horsley to print some Christmas cards. One thousand cards were printed in black and white and then colored by hand. The cards, which depicted a happy family raising a toast to the recipient, were criticized for promoting drunkenness. In 1851 Richard Pease, a variety store owner, commissioned the first printed Christmas card in the U.S. London printers Charles Goodall & Sons became the first to mass-produce Christmas cards. In 1862 they created cards saying “A Merry Christmas.” Later, they designed cards with various designs, including robins, holly, mangers, snowmen, and even Little Red Riding Hood.
We are happy to offer Christian Christmas Cards… each with scripture. Some with the Nativity displayed and several humorous Christmas card offerings by Truth Be Told cards.
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We, at Christian Gifts Place, have many inspirational gift ideas for all gift-giving occasions. Our Ornaments and Suncatchers are just one wonderful type of gift that shares compassion (and scripture in some cases) with a very special recipient. In addition to our pewter Ornaments and Suncatchers, we carry a limited collection of Christmas Ornaments.
We specialize in Inspirational Home Decor. Wonderful items for your home and for gift-giving can be found in Wall Decor, Wooden Scripture Wall Hangings, Plaques, Wall Crosses, Items for the Kitchen, and Hand Made Scripture Pottery. If you are looking for a special occasion gift, look through our Wedding, New Baby, 1st Communion, Confirmation, Baptism, Graduation, and Birthday products.
Below is a sampling of ornaments and suncatchers that we carry.
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