Dec 25 Go Tell it on the Mountain

Dec 25 Go Tell it on the Mountain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Tell_It_on_the_Mountain_(song)

Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When low above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed our Savior's bi--rth.
Refrain

While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy li--ght
Refrain

And lo! When they had heard it,
They all bowed down to pray,
Then travelled on together,
To where the Baby la--y.
Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas mo--rn.
Refrain

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is an African-American spiritual that dates back to at least 1865. It has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers. It is considered a Christmas carol because its lyrics celebrate the Nativity: "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born."

The song became a Civil Rights anthem in the 1960s, having been adapted and rewritten as "Tell It on the Mountain". The lyrics referred specifically to the Israelite exodus with the line "Let my people go," but also referred to the Civil Rights struggle of the early '60s.

Craft: music, mountain, singing angel
http://www.dltk-bible.com/angels/mlollipopangel.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/clothespin-angel-ornament.html

Dec 24 Away in a Manger

Dec 24 Away in a Manger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_In_a_Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.

"Away in a Manger" was first published by James R. Murray in an 1885 Lutheran Sunday School book. The author of the first two stanzas is unknown, but it is certain that the third stanza was added in 1904 by New Yorker Dr. John McFarland.

Some attribute the song to Martin Luther. This confusion exists because Murray published it with the subtitle "Luther's Cradle Hymn (Composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones)."

Craft: baby in a manger
Baby Jesus origami (Christmas Origami book)

Dec 23 What Child is This?

Dec 23 What Child is This
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Child_Is_This
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Chatterton_Dix
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves

What Child is this, who laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Refrain: This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come, peasant king, to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

"What Child Is This?" is a popular Christmas carol that was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix. At the age of twenty-nine, he was sickened by a sudden near-fatal illness and confined to bed for several months. He went into a deep depression during this time, but it was also a time when he wrote many hymns, including ‘What Child is This?” which was later set to the traditional English melody of "Greensleeves". Other hymns that Dix wrote include “As with Gladness Men of Old,” “To you, O Lord, Our Hearts We Raise,” and “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus.”

“Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk tune which appears in references as far back as 1580 but cannot be definitively dated. The tune is found in several late 16th century and early 17th century sources, as well as various manuscripts preserved in the Cambridge University libraries. In Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, written around 1602, the character Mistress Ford refers twice without any explanation to the tune of "Greensleeves," and Falstaff later exclaims: “Let the sky rain potatoes! Let it thunder to the tune of 'Greensleeves'! “ These allusions suggest that the song was already well known at that time. During this time period, green was a color associated with love and romance. In Chaucer’s writing, green was the color of lightness in love. This is echoed in “Greensleeves is my delight” and elsewhere in the song lyrics.

Craft: Mary, manger, baby
Origami Manger (Christmas origami book)

Dec 22 The First Noel

Dec 22 The First Noel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Noel

The first 'Noel!' the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain: Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

For all to see there was a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest:
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered in then for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Full rev'rently upon their knee,
And offered there, in his presence,
Both gold and myrrh, and frankincense.

Between an ox-stall and an ass
This Child there truly borned was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
All in the manger, among the hay.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.

If we in our time shall do well
We shall be free from death and hell,
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting-place in general.

The origin of the word “noel,” and even its exact meaning, has been lost to antiquity. Some scholars say the word is French, signifying “a shout of joy” at Jesus’ birth. Others go further back to Medieval Latin and say that it derives from the word “natalis” which means “birth,” and therefore has to do with the birth of Jesus. Another Latin word, “novella,” meaning “news,” is also a possible meaning of the word, conveying the idea that there were shouts of joy over news of Jesus’ birth.

The unknown poet who wrote “The First Nowell” conveys the angels’ message, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10), a reminder that “now all is well,” or “nowell.” The carol has been popular for nearly three centuries.

Craft: shepherds, sheep, star, wise men, Noel word art
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>several stars, also Animals/Birds>Sheep
http://crafts.kaboose.com/noel-sparkle-jar.html

Dec 21 Deck the Halls

Dec 21 Deck the Halls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deck_the_Halls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parry_Ddall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ceiriog_Hughes

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Toll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us,
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Follow me in merry measure,
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,

Fast away the old year passes,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Sing we joyous, all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather,

"Deck the Halls" is a traditional Yuletide and New Years' carol. The English words generally sung today are American in origin and date from the 19th century, but the original lyrics are Welsh.

The tune is that of an old Welsh air, first found in a musical manuscript by the blind Welsh harpist John Parry Ddall. The composition is still popular as a dance tune in Wales. Poet John Ceiriog Hughes wrote the first published lyrics for the piece in Welsh, titling it "Nos Galan" ("New Year's Eve"). Folk Singers later added a middle verse to the original two verses. In the eighteenth century the tune spread widely, with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart using it in a piano and violin composition.

Craft: festive decorations, paper chain
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas
http://crafts.kaboose.com/tissue-paper-wreath.html
http://crafts.kaboose.com/ribbon-spool-christmas-candle.html
http://crafts.kaboose.com/puzzle-wreath-ornament.html

Dec 20 Once in Royal David's City

Dec 20 Once in Royal David’s City
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_In_Royal_David%27s_City
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Frances_Humphreys_Alexander

Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior Holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly Maiden,
In whose gentle arms He lay:
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood's pattern;
Day by day, like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander was a hymn-writer and poetess who began writing verse in her childhood. By her early 20s, she was already known as a hymn writer and her compositions were soon included in Church of Ireland hymnbooks. “All Things Bright and Beautiful” is one of the hymns she wrote. She donated money from her first publications to help build a school for the deaf and dumb, and was involved in other charitable work during her lifetime.

Her book, Hymns for Little Children was published in 1848. Included in that hymnbook was “Once in Royal David’s City,” which was discovered a year later by organist and composer Henry John Gauntlett and set to music. Dr. Gauntlett wrote over 1000 hymn tunes, and edited several hymn books as well.

Since 1919, the King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England, has begun its Christmas Eve service, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with "Once in Royal David's City" as the processional. The first verse is sung by a boy chorister of the Choir of King's Chapel as a solo. The second verse is sung by the choir, and the congregation joins in the third verse. Except for the first verse, the hymn is accompanied by the organ. This service is broadcast live on the BBC World Service, and it is estimated that there are millions of listeners worldwide who tune in to this service annually.

Craft: choirboy, manger
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=289

Dec 19 Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Dec 19 Oh Little Town of Bethlehem http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/christmascarol.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Little_Town_of_Bethlehem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Brooks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Redner

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep,
the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.

How silently, oh how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And Christmas comes once more.

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Episcopal priest Phillips Brooks visited the actual town of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1865. He travelled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on horseback, later writing in his diary this interesting account: “Before dark we rode out of town to the field where they say the shepherds saw the star. It is a fenced piece of ground with a cave in it, in which, strangely enough, they put the shepherds.” Later in the evening, he attended the traditional services in an ancient basilica said to have been built by the Emperor Constantine early in the fourth century, The Church of the Nativity. The service, which lasted from 10 pm to 3 am, made an unforgettable impression on him.

Three years later, as he prepared for Christmas services at his church in Philadelphia, he drew on his Holy Land trip in writing the poem for “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” The song was written especially for the children of his parish. He gave the poem to church organist Lewis Redner and asked him to set it to music. Redner dallied and delayed until it was almost too late for the song to be used that year, telling Brooks that he was “not inspired” yet with music. The night before the children’s choir was to sing the carol in services, Redner finally was able to hear a tune, which he rapidly jotted down so he could get some sleep. In the morning, he harmonized the melody and it was able to be used for that year’s Christmas services.

Craft: skyline silhouette
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Shootingstar.shtml

Dec 18 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Dec 18 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red_Nosed_Reindeer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._May_(Rudolph)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Marks
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/rudolph.asp
http://www.pdcomedy.com/Cartoons/Christmas/Rudolph/RudolphRedNosedReindeer.htm

You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Play in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him
And they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history!"

Thanks to a certain song and a TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer seems to have always been a part of our Christmas folklore. Rudolph came to life in 1939, created as a holiday promotional gimmick by the Montgomery Ward department store chain. Copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story, drawing in part from the tale of The Ugly Duckling, and also from personal experience because he was teased as a child for being shy and small. He created the underdog reindeer, Rudolph, who was teased by the other reindeer because of his physical abnormality: a glowing red nose. As he wrote the story in verse, as a series of rhyming couplets, he read it to his 4 year old daughter, who was thrilled with the story. May’s boss was less thrilled though, concerned that the “red nose” image was too closely associated with drinking and alcoholics. However, artist Denver Gillen’s drawings overcame the boss’ hesitation and the story was accepted. 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet were distributed over the 1939 Christmas season by Montgomery Ward to its customers. Even with paper shortages during World War II, by the end of 1946, 6 million copies had been given away.

May received copyright rights in 1947, and the book “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was printed commercially that year. The following year, a nine-minute cartoon was shown in movie theaters. In 1949, May’s brother-in-law Johnny Marks developed the lyrics and melody for the second best-selling song of all times.

The song as we know it differs from the original song in several ways. In the original story, Rudolph was NOT one of Santa’s reindeer, nor did he live at the North Pole. He lived in a reindeer village, and while he was teased and laughed at due to his shiny red nose, his parents did not view him as a shameful embarrassment. He was brought up in a loving household. Santa did not pick him out from the reindeer herd; instead, while delivering presents on a foggy Christmas-Eve, Santa noticed the glow in Rudolph’s bedroom and asked Rudolph to lead his team so that he could safely deliver the rest of the presents that night.

Craft: Rudolph, reindeer, sleigh
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>several reindeer to choose from
http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-cup-rudolph.html

Dec 17 Silver Bells

Dec 17 Silver Bells
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5068947
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bells
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Evans

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style.
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear.

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing.
Soon it will be Christmas day.

Strings of street lights, even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch.
This is Santa's big scene.
And above all this bustle you'll hear.

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas day.

“Silver Bells” was written as part of the soundtrack of the 1951 Bob Hope movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” by struggling songwriters Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. They worked all day at what was to become the 13th most listened to holiday song, not realizing that they were creating a hit. When Mr. Livingston went home in the evening, he told his wife that they had written a new song, “Tinkle Bells.” Dumbfounded, she asked if he realized what “tinkle” means. He had no clue! So the next day, they re-wrote the song, keeping most of the tune and lyrics but changing “tinkle” to “silver.” This song has sold over 500 million records as of 2005.

Livingston and Evans went on to compose three Academy Award-winning songs (“Buttons and Bows,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Que Sera Sera”) and also the theme music for the television shows Bonanza and Mr. Ed.

Craft: silver bells
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>Bell

Dec 16 Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Dec 16 Santa Claus is Coming to Town
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Is_Coming_to_Town
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Fred_Coots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haven_Gillespie

Oh You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

He's making a list,
He's checking it twice,
He's gonna find out
who's naughty or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows when you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake.

So...You better watch out,
You better not cry
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little tin horns,
Little toy drums.
Rudy-toot-toot
and rummy tum-tums.
Santa Claus is coming to town.

Little toy dolls
that cuddle and coo,
Elephants, boats
and Kiddy cars too.
Santa Claus is coming to town.

The kids in Girl and Boy Land
will have a jubilee.
They're gonna build a Toyland town
all around the Christmas tree.

Oh You better watch out,
You better not cry.
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming
To town.

James Lamont "Haven" Gillespie was the writer of the classic Christmas song "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," along with many other popular songs of the day.
Gillespie dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and became a typesetter at the Cincinnati Times Star. After moving to New York, he became a journalist and composer of songs for vaudeville shows, in collaboration with many other artists. His work first gained notice in 1925.

John Frederick Coots was an American songwriter, having composed more than 700 songs. He is most famous for the song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” which became one of the biggest best sellers in American music history.

In 1934, when Haven Gillespie brought him the lyrics to “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” Coots came up with the skeleton outline of the music in just ten minutes. Later when Coots brought the song to his publisher, Leo Feist Inc., they liked it but thought it was a kids' song and did not expect too much from it.

Coots offered the song to Eddie Cantor, who used it on his radio show that November. It became an instant hit. The morning after the radio show there were orders for 100,000 copies of sheet music, and, by Christmas, sales had passed 400,000copies!

Craft: Santa, list
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>several Santas to choose from
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/msantajar.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-plate-santa.html

Dec 15 The Friendly Beasts

Dec 15 The Friendly Beasts
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/friendly_beasts.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Friendly_Beasts

Jesus our brother, kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

"I," said the cow all white and red
"I gave Him my manger for His bed;
I gave him my hay to pillow his head."
"I," said the cow all white and red.

"I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the sheep with curly horn.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep so He would not cry;
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

Thus every beast by some good spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Immanuel,
The gift he gave Immanuel.

"I," was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Immanuel,
The gift he gave Immanuel.
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

"The Friendly Beasts" is a traditional Christmas song about the gifts that a donkey, a cow, a sheep, and a dove gave to Jesus at the Nativity. The song probably originated in 12th-century France. It is set to the melody of the Latin song Orientis Partibus, which is attributed to Pierre de Corbeil, Bishop of Sens. The tune is said to have been part of the Fete de l’Ane (The Donkey’s Festival), which celebrated the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt and was a regular Christmas observance in Beauvais and Sens, France in the 13th century. During the mass, it was common for a donkey to be led or ridden into the church.

The words and tune were designed to give thanks for the ass on which Mary rode, and began: Orientis partibus Adventavit asinus (‘From the East the ass has come’). Each verse was sung, and finished with the chorus ‘Hail, Sir donkey, hail’. It was a solemn affair, but the tune became very popular in 17th and 18th century Germany.
The current English words were written by Robert Davis in the 1920s. The song is also known as "The Song of the Ass," The Donkey Carol," "The Animal Carol" and "The Gift of the Animals."

Craft: stable, manger scene, donkey, cow, sheep, dove, Mary on donkey, manger, hay, coat/blanket, feather
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blspbabymanger.htm

Dec 14 We Three Kings

Dec 14 We Three Kings
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/wethreekings.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Three_Kings_of_Orient_Are
http://poetry.poetryx.com/poets/108/bio/

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Chorus: O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

“We Three Kings of Orient Are” (also known as “Quest of the Magi”) was composed by the Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr. as part of a Christmas pageant. Rev. Hopkins led a varied life, working at various times as a clergyman, author, composer, book illustrator, stained glass window designer, and editor of the Church Journal out of New York.

The three kings were magi, probably Zoroastrians from the area of Persia. They visited Jesus Christ as a small child, not at the manger as often portrayed in nativity scenes. Although they were later assigned the names of Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were only three magi. The gifts offered to the newborn Jesus have the following significance:

• Gold represents Jesus' heavenly kingship.
• Frankincense represents Jesus' role as priest, serving as the perfect mediator between mankind and God.
• Myrrh is associated with death, and represents Jesus' role as Saviour, in that he sacrificed himself to redeem mankind.

Craft: crown, gifts, star
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>Present Box
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/3dstar.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/felt-present-ornament.html
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1129

Dec 13 Joy to the World

Dec 13 Joy to the World
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/joytotheworld.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_to_the_World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Mason

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts was a prolific hymn writer who wrote more than 750 hymns, many of which are still sung today. One of his life projects was that of creating a volume of hymns based on the Psalms of David, in which he tied New Testament stories into the Old Testament words. One of the hymns which was included in this volume was “Joy to the World,” which he based on Psalm 98 and into which he read back the joy of the coming of the Messiah.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth:
Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise….
Make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Let the floods clap their hands,
Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord,
For he cometh to judge the earth,
With righteousness shall he judge the world. Psalm 98:4-6, 8-9

Watts’ hymns were not well received while he was alive, because Christians of the day believed that God stopped singing when King David died, and that new hymn settings of any of the Psalms were heresy of the worst sort. Thankfully, his hymns survived for us to use and enjoy today.

The origin of the tune to which we sing “Joy to the World” has been attributed to George Frederick Handel and was thought to be an excerpt from his composition, The Messiah. Most likely, however, it was composed by Lowell Mason, who has been called “the father of American church music.” Mason was the first music teacher in an American public school, and also co-founded the Boston Academy of Music. He greatly admired Handel, whose influence can be heard in the tune of “Joy to the World,” as well as others of Mason’s 1600 religious compositions.

Craft: world, crown, heart, scale of justice, JOY word art
Shrinky-dink JOY

Dec 12 O Come, All Ye Faithful

Dec 12 O Come, All Ye Faithful
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/adestefidelis.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Come_All_Ye_Faithful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Wade

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the
King of angels.

O come, let us adore Him (3x)
Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
Sing all ye citizens of heav’n above:
Glory to God in the Highest.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

John Francis Wade wrote the hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” which is also known by its Latin name, Adeste Fidelis. The original four verses of the hymn were extended to a total of eight, and these have been translated into many languages many times, though the English O Come All Ye Faithful is the most commonly used.

The earliest existing music manuscript shows both words and tune. It was published in the 1760 edition of Evening Offices of the Church. John Francis Wade included it in his own publication of Cantus Diversi.

John Wade was an English hymnist. His birthplace is uncertain, but was probably either England, or Douay, France. He definitely lived in France the latter portion of his life, as an exiled English Catholic. There, he taught music and worked on church music for private use.

Craft: carol singers
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10115

Dec 11 Jingle Bells

Dec 11 Jingle Bells
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/jinglebells.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pierpont_(musician) http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm

Dashing thro' the snow,
In a one horse open sleigh,
O'er the hills we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
Oh what sport to ride and sing
A sleighing song to night.
Chorus:
Jingle bells, Jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what joy it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, Jingle bells,
Jingle all the way
Oh! what joy it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I tho't I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seem'd his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And we - we got up sot. Chorus

A day or two ago,
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there
I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away. Chorus

Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young,
Take the girls to night
And sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob tailed bay
Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack, you'll take the lead. Chorus

James Pierpont was born in Boston, and attended boarding school in New Hampshire. While away at school, he wrote a letter to his mother which he mentioned riding in a sleigh through the December snow. Four years after that, in 1836, 14-year-old James ran away to sea aboard a ship called "the Shark". Some sources indicate that the ship sailed as far as California.

As an adult, James followed his minister brother to Savannah, Georgia, and served as an organist and music director at the church his brother pastored. He also gave organ and singing lessons. James’ first songs were published in Boston. He wrote and published a number of ballads, polkas, and minstrel songs, some of which were recorded by singers of the day. He also wrote several Confederacy songs.

In August 1857, his song "One Horse Open Sleigh" was published. Two years later it was re-released with the title "Jingle Bells, or The One Horse Open Sleigh". It was not a hit either time.
Both Massachusetts and Georgia claim ownership of "Jingle Bells." There are many stories circulating about its origin. Here are several:

Massachusetts: One day in 1851, James Pierpont went to the home of Mrs. Otis Waterman, where he played one of his compositions for her on her piano. Mrs. Waterman commented that it was a very merry little jingle, and he should have a lot of success with it. Pierpont then wrote the lyrics about the one-horse open sleighs — also known as "cutters" — that young men raced on the one mile route from Medford to Malden Squares.

Georgia: Savannah musical researcher, Milton Rahn, felt that 'Jingle Bells' was most likely written in Savannah, in a house located near Oglethorpe and Whitaker Streets, which has since been torn down. It has been speculated that the song was composed by Pierpont, probably at a time when homesick, as he recalled his youthful days in New England.

Another popular story gives authorship (either in Boston or in Savannah) for a Thanksgiving church service. The song was so well received that the children were asked to repeat the performance at the Christmas service and it has remained a Christmas standard ever since.
Note that in 1857, Pierpont was in Savannah, not Boston, so it is more likely that he wrote the song there.

Some have expressed doubt that the song could be written for a children’s church choir. References to courting would not have been appropriate in a religious song. Instead, it was just a "sleighing song" – fast sleighs and pretty girls. Some things never change.

Some Jingle Bells Trivia: In Ontario, Canada, sleigh bells are required by law, and persons breaking the law are subject to a $5 fine. The law states: "Every person travelling on a highway with a sleigh or sled drawn by a horse or other animal shall have at least two bells attached to the harness or to the sleigh or sled in such a manner as to give an ample warning sound". Horses' hooves on newly fallen snow are very quiet, and the sleigh runners make almost no noise.

“Jingle Bells” From Gemini 6 Ten days before Christmas, Dec. 15, 1965, NASA celebrated as spaceships Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 successfully completed a non-docking orbital rendezvous, an historic first. The next morning, as Gemini 6 was preparing to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, Mission Control in Houston heard a cryptic message from astronaut Thomas P. Stafford:
"We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in polar orbit.... Looks like he might be going to re-enter soon.... You just might let me pick up that thing.... I see a command module and eight smaller modules in front. The pilot of the command module is wearing a red suit."

Stafford later related that "I could hear the voices at Mission Control getting tense when I talked about sighting something else up there with us.”

But moments later, ground controllers heard the strains of “Jingle Bells,” played on a miniature harmonica and accompanied by five miniature sleigh bells.

“Then, after we finished the song,” Stafford continued, “[Mission Control's] Elliot relaxed and just said, 'You're too much.'"

The plot had been hatched in the weeks before the mission by astronaut Walter M. "Wally" Schirra Jr., according to Stafford. "He could play the harmonica, and we practiced two or three times before we took off, but of course we didn't tell the guys on the ground....We never considered singing, since I couldn't carry a tune in a bushel basket."

The harmonica was Hohner's tiny four-hole, eight-note “Little Lady.” The accompaniment was five small bells, tied on a blue string. The harmonica and bells were the first musical instruments ever played in space. The items were donated to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum by Schirra and Stafford in 1967. Before he donated it to the Smithsonian, Schirra reported that he had "retested the harmonica and it performs quite well."

Craft: bells, sleigh
http://www.yamahamotor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/10/index.html
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>Bell

Dec 10 Little Drummer Boy

Dec 10 Little Drummer Boy
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/drummerboy.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Drummer_Boy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_K._Davis

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

This “story-song” tells of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with his mother Mary's approval. Miraculously, the baby, although a newborn, smiles at the boy in gratitude. The story is somewhat similar to an old twelfth-century legend retold by Anatole France as Le jongleur de Notre-Dame (The Juggler of Notre Dame). In the French legend, however, a juggler juggles before the statue of Mary.

The words and music for this Christmas song were written by composer and pianist Katherine K. Davis. She composed her first piece of music at the age of 15, and then went on to study and teach music at several schools in the United States. Until she died at the age of 88, she was an active composer, writing more than 600 compositions. Many of them were for choirs at the schools where she taught.

Her most famous composition is "The Little Drummer Boy", originally titled "The Carol of the Drum", which she wrote in 1941. It became famous when it was recorded by the Trapp Family Singers.

Craft: drum, heart
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/treeornaments/l/blorntpdrum.htm
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Valentines>several hearts to choose from

Dec 9 Frosty the Snowman

Dec 9 Frosty the Snowman
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/frosty.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frosty_the_Snowman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLkIdXU--o 1954 3-minute animation!

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose,
And two eyes made out of coal.

Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that
Old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head,
He began to dance around.

Oh, Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh
And play just the same as you and me.

Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.

Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

Frosty the snowman knew
The sun was hot that day,
So he said, 'Let's run and
we'll have some fun now
before I melt away.'

Down to the village,
With a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there all
Around the square saying,
Catch me if you can.

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler 'Stop!'

For Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye saying,
'Don't you cry,
I'll be back again some day.'

Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.

Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.

“Frosty the Snowman” is a Christmas song that isn’t about Christmas! In fact, the word “Christmas” is not found anywhere in the lyrics. However, its wintery theme makes it a popular secular finding during the season.

The song is about a snowman that comes to life thanks to a magical hat that some children find; he then has playful adventures before he "hurries on his way". These include games, sports, and other jolly things. Near the end of their adventures together, the children are saddened by Frosty having to hurry on his way for the last time. However, Frosty reassures them by exclaiming, "I'll be back on Christmas Day!"

"Frosty the Snowman" was written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. Autry had recorded "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the new song to Autry, who recorded "Frosty" in search of another seasonal hit. Like "Rudolph", "Frosty" was subsequently adapted to other media including a popular television special.

Craft: snowman
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>Snowman or Snowflake
http://crafts.kaboose.com/cd-snowman-puppet.html
http://crafts.kaboose.com/rolled-felt-snowman-ornament.html
http://crafts.kaboose.com/stick_orn.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Gluesnowman.shtml

Dec 8 The Twelve Days of Christmas

Dec 8 The 12 Days of Christmas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song)

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree…
Two turtle doves…
Three French hens…
Four calling birds…
Five golden rings…
Six geese a-laying…
Seven swans a-swimming…
Eight maids a-milking…
Nine ladies dancing…
Ten lords a-leaping…
Eleven pipers piping…
Twelve drummers drumming.

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English carol in the form of a cumulative song, which means that each verse is built on top of the previous verses. The carol lists in detail a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas.

Its original purpose was a memory and forfeit party game, played by gathering in a circle of players. As they went around the circle, they tried to say the rhyme in order without getting confused, which we all know is not easy to do! In later years, the game and rhyme were adopted by Lady Gomme, an English collector of folktales and rhymes, as a rhyme that "the whole family could have fun singing every twelfth night before Christmas before eating nine pies and twelve cakes".

The carol was found in European and Scandinavian traditions as early as the 1500s, and was published around 1780.

Craft: 12 days symbols
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Accessories>Several rings
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1657

Dec 7 Good King Wenceslas

Dec 7 Good King Wenceslas
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_stories.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_King_Wenceslas
http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/wenceslas%20bio.pdf Biography of King Wenceslas

ALL:
Good King Wenceslas looked out,
upon the Feast of Stephen,
when the snow lay round about,
deep and crisp and even:
brightly shone the moon that night,t
hough the frost was cruel,
when a poor man came in sight,
gathering winter fuel.

KING:
Hither page and stand by me!
I you know it telling:
yonder man who is he,
where and what his dwelling?

PAGE:
Sir he lives a good way hence,
underneath the mountain;
right against the forest fence,
by Saint Agnes' fountain:

KING:
Bring me food and bring me wine,
bring me pine logs hither:
you and I will see him dine,
when we take them thither.

ALL:
Page and monarch forth they went,
forth they went together,
through the wild wind's loud lament,
and the bitter weather.

PAGE:
Sir the night is darker now,
and the wind grows stronger;
fails my heart - I know not how,
I can go no longer.

KING:
Mark my footsteps well my page,f
ollow in them boldly:
you shall find the winter's rage,
chills your blood less coldly.

ALL:
In his masters steps he trod,
where the snow lay even,
strong to do the will of God,
in the hope of Heaven:
therefore Christians all be sure,
grace and wealth possessing,
you that now will bless the poor,
shall yourselves find blessing.

The words of “Good King Wenceslas” were written in Victorian Britain by John Mason Neale, and set to a traditional folk tune, "Tempus Adest Floridum" ("It is Time for Flowering"), a 13th-century spring carol tune. In the carol, a story is told about the King of Bohemia, which is an area in Central Europe which is now part of the Czech Republic, set over 1000 years ago. On Boxing Day (December 26), he left his castle and took alms (food and wood) to a poor peasant. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907-935), who was known in the Czech language as Svatý Václav. The story in the carol was probably completely made up.

Mr. Neale followed in the footsteps of his minister father, and was active in charitable Christian outreach during the Industrial Revolution, when many people needed to be ministered to. He is well known as a hymn writer and translator. He enriched English hymnody by translating many ancient and mediaeval hymns from their original language. English-speaking congregations were then able to sing and enjoy centuries-old traditional Latin, Greek, Russian, and Syrian hymns. His translations include:

• All Glory, Laud, and Honour
• Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle
• To Thee Before the Close of Day
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

He is most widely known for his contributions to the Christmas repertoire, most notably "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and, of course, "Good King Wenceslas". Much of the translation of the Advent hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel" was also his work.

Craft: feast, Yule log, forest/snow scene, footprint
http://crafts.kaboose.com/toothpick-snowflake-ornament.html
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=627

Dec 6 Silent Night

Dec 6 Silent Night
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_stories.shtml
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/silentnight.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Night
http://silentnight.web.za/history/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Mohr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Gruber

Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night.
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia:
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace:
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Silent Night, or Stille Nacht, was first performed in the Nicola-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria on December 24, 1818. Father Joseph Mohr had composed the words much earlier, in 1816, but on Christmas Eve brought them to his friend, Franz Xaver Gruber, and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the church service. At Midnight Mass that evening, Fr. Mohr and Franz Gruber sang each of the six verses, with the church choir repeating the last two lines of each verse. Mohr set down the guitar arrangement on paper around 1820 and that is the earliest manuscript that still exists. It is displayed in the Carolino Augusteum Museum in Salzburg, Austria.

Joseph Mohr aspired to be a musician, but when his musical talent went unrecognized, her pursued a different educational path and became a priest instead. He wrote the six-stanza poem that became the world’s most popular Christmas carol while on assignment to a pilgrim church in the remote Alpine village of Mariapfarr. His assignment to Oberndorf in 1817 enabled the collaboration he and Franz Gruber shared. Until 2006, it was thought that they had written just one song together. Now another song has been located in the Wagrain parish archive. "Te Deum," with text by Joseph Mohr and melody by Franz Xaver Gruber, can be heard in an audio exhibit at the Waggerl Museum in Wagrain.

Mohr was a generous man who donated most of his salary to charity. He started new schools for children and also created a scholarship fund to allow children from poor families to attend school. He also set up a system for the care of the elderly.

Franz Gruber was a schoolteacher, organist, and choirmaster in several Austrian villages during his lifetime. Over the years, he wrote additional arrangements of Silent Night for organ and for organ with orchestra. Arrangements of the carol appeared in churches in the Salzburg Diocese and folk singers from the Ziller Valley took the song on tours around Europe. Gruber wrote dozens of other carols and masses, many of which are still in print and sung in Austrian churches today.

It is believed that Silent Night has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects around the world. It is one of the most popular carols of all time. Because the carol was so widely known worldwide, English and German troops at the front lines during WWI were able sing it together in the break from fighting known as the Christmas Truce of 1914.

Craft: Mary and Baby Jesus, star, shepherds, singing angels
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>several stars to choose from
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/3dstar.htm

Dec 5 Huron Carol

Dec 5 Huron Carol (Twas In the Moon of Winter Time)
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/cmascorner/Huron.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_Carol
http://cockburnproject.net/songs&music/ia.html

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
Music: French Canadian melody (tune name: Jesous Ahatonhia)

The "Huron Carol" (or "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime") is Canada's oldest Christmas song, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Huron in Canada. He used the native language of the Huron/Wendat First Nation in writing this song, whose original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born"). The song's melody is a traditional French folk song, “Une Jeune Pucelle” ("A Young Maid").

Father Brebeuf acquired fame and martyrdom soon after writing the carol, when he and other priests were ceremonially barbecued by members of the Iroquois confederacy, who went on to virtually eliminate the Huron and their culture. The British, who wanted control of territory that had been claimed by the French, encouraged this massacre so they could acquire land that had traditionally belonged to the Huron. The few Huron who survived the wars were mostly absorbed into Iroquois communities. A few did remain with the French colonies. Their descendants inhabit a couple of villages in modern Quebec, but their language remained unspoken and has largely been lost.

Here is a direct, non-Anglicized translation from the original language:

Have courage, you who are human beings: Jesus, he is born
The okie spirit who enslaved us has fled
Don't listen to him for he corrupts the spirits of our thoughts
Jesus, he is born

The okie spirits who live in the sky are coming with a message
They're coming to say, "Rejoice!
Mary has given birth. Rejoice!"
Jesus, he is born

Three men of great authority have left for the place of his birth
Tiscient, the star appearing over the horizon leads them there
That star will walk first on the bath to guide them
Jesus, he is born

The star stopped not far from where Jesus was born
Having found the place it said,
"Come this way"
Jesus, he is born

As they entered and saw Jesus they praised his name
They oiled his scalp many times, anointing his head
with the oil of the sunflower
Jesus, he is born

They say, "Let us place his name in a position of honour
Let us act reverently towards him for he comes to show us mercy
It is the will of the spirits that you love us, Jesus,
and we wish that we may be adopted into your family
Jesus, he is born

Craft: Native American, papoose baby, Native lodge
http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/swap_dreamcatcher.htm in C’mas colors
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/na/rattle/

Dec 4 I Saw Three Ships

Dec 4 I Saw Three Ships
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_stories.shtml

I saw three ship come sailing in,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
I saw three ship come sailing in,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And what was in those ships all three?
on Christmas Day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and His lady,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
Our Saviour Christ and His lady,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And where they sailed those ships all three?
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And where they sailed those ships all three?
on Christmas Day in the morning.

All they sailed in to Bethlehem,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
All they sailed in to Bethlehem,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the angels in heaven shall sing,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And all the angels in heaven shall sing,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

And let us all rejoice again,
on Christmas day on Christmas day.
And let us all rejoice again,
on Christmas Day in the morning.

*Note: Bethlehem, being on an inland hill, has no actual seaport!

I Saw Three Ships is a traditional English folk song and popular Christmas carol from England. There are several versions of the text of this song, the words having been used by wandering minstrels as they travelled the country. The various sets of lyrics featured different Bible characters being on the ships. The most common lyrics used today are about Mary and Jesus travelling to Bethlehem. The earliest printed version is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire.

Craft: ship
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Fun origami or Others, several boats/ships

Dec 3 Here We Come A-Wassailing

Dec 3 Here We Come A-Wassailing
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/wassailing.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_We_Come_A-Wassailing
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/212/ Wassail Recipes
http://www.recipezaar.com/ Search for Wassail

As with most carols, there are several related versions of the words. One version is presented below. The verses are sung in 6/8 time, while the chorus switches to 2/2.

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.

CHORUSLove and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too;
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year
And God send you a Happy New Year.

Our wassail cup is made
Of the rosemary tree,
And so is our beer
Of the best barley:
CHORUS

We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door;
But we are neighbors’' children,
Whom you have seen before.
CHORUS

Good master and good mistress,
While you're sitting by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.
CHORUS

God bless the master of this house
Likewise the mistress too!
And all the little children
That 'round the table go.
CHORUS

Wassailing is a very ancient custom that is rarely done today. Imagine a British cobblestone street; snow soft in the streetlight's glow. Despite constant hardship, beggars and orphans would dance and sing in the streets at Christmas, hoping to receive a pork pie, a penny, or some time in front of a blazing fire in return. However, the most prized pittance was a bowl of wassail -- which combines ale, wine, and spices -- to warm the heart as well as the soul.

The word 'wassail' comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase 'waes hael', which means 'good health'. Originally, the wassail was a drink made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. It was served from huge bowls, often made of silver or pewter. Jesus College, in Oxford University, has a Wassail bowl that could hold 10 gallons of drink and is covered in silver! Wassailing was traditionally done on New Years Eve and Twelfth Night, but some rich people drank Wassail on all the 12 days of Christmas! The Wassail drink mixture was sometimes called 'Lamb's Wool', because of the pulp of the roasted apples looked all frothy and a bit like Lambs Wool!!! A great deal of ceremony developed around the custom of drinking wassail. The bowl was carried into a room with a great fanfare, a traditional carol about the drink was sung, and finally, the steaming hot beverage was served.

Craft: apple craft, drink mulled cider
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Fruits/Vegetables>Apple
Decorative apple, wrap with gold cord & hang on tree

Dec 2 The Holly and the Ivy

Dec 2 The Holly and the Ivy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holly_and_the_Ivy
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/hollyandivy.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Walford_Davies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Sharp

The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown

Refrain:
Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet savior
Refrain

The holly bears a berry as red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good
Refrain

The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn
Refrain

The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all
Refrain

During Pagan times, holly, ivy, and other greenery such as mistletoe were originally used to help celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival and to ward off evil spirits and celebrate new growth.
As people became Christian, they kept the tradition of the greenery, but gave it Christian meanings. The prickly leaves of the holly represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The berries are the drops of blood that were shed by Jesus because of the thorns. In Scandinavia holly is known as the Christ Thorn. Ivy has to cling to something to support itself as it grows. This reminds us that we need to cling to God for support in our lives. In German tradition, ivy is only used outdoors. A piece of ivy tied to the outside of a church was supposed to protect it from lightning!

Sir Henry Walford Davies is a British composer who wrote a popular choral arrangement of The Holly and the Ivy that is often performed at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and by choirs around the world. As a child, he enjoyed playing any instrument he could lay his hands on, often in an informal band with his brothers, cousins and friends. He also developed as a singer and became a boy chorister at St. George's, Windsor. From the age of twelve he sang fourteen church services a week and attended school there. In adulthood, he was well known as an organist, teacher, and composer. He was knighted in 1922, and held the title Master of the King's Musick from 1934 until his death in 1941. Most of his compositions are religious in nature, including several well-known Christmas carol arrangements.

Englishman Cecil Sharp, who is behind the text for this carol, was a man of varied talents, skills, and abilities. Many of England's traditional dances and music are only known today thanks to his work in recording and publishing them. He lived in England, Australia, and the United States at various times throughout his life. His life experience included working as a bank clerk, associate to a chief justice, music teacher and lecturer, organist, choral and symphonic conductor, and composer. He was especially interested in British folk dance and music, and by compiling song books for use in schools, did much to acquaint British children with their national musical heritage. During WWI when he lived in the United States, he travelled through the mountains of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee, recording a treasure trove of Appalachian folk songs and researching the link between American and British fold songs.

The music and most of the text for The Holly and the Ivy was collected by Cecil Sharp from a woman in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. This carol is probably related to an older carol: "The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly", a contest between the traditional emblems of woman (the ivy) and man (the holly) respectively.

Holly stands in the hall, fair to behold:
Ivy stands without the door, she is full sore a cold.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Holly and his merry men, they dance and they sing,
Ivy and her maidens, they weep and they wring.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Ivy hath chapped fingers, she caught them from the cold,
So might they all have, aye, that with ivy hold.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Holly hath berries red as any rose,
The forester, the hunter, keep them from the does.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Ivy hath berries black as any sloe;
There come the owl and eat him as she go.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Holly hath birds a fair full flock,
The nightingale, the popinjay, the gentle laverock.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Good ivy, what birds hast thou?
None but the owlet that cries how, how.
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is.

Craft: holly, berries, ivy
http://www.origami-club.com/en/ Christmas>Holly Leaf
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/mpaperholly.html

I liked this article on 10 Famous Homeschoolers. It gives brief bios of the people, not just a list of names.

Dec 1 The History of Christmas Music

Dec 1 The History of Christmas Music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_(music)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_song
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_history.shtml
http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/a/carols.htm
Read “Carols of All Nations” Poem

A carol is a festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship, and often with a dance-like or popular character. Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but these were not Christmas Carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations and accompanied by flutes as people danced round stone circles.

The word carol, derived from the Old French word carole, actually means dance, or a song of praise and joy. Carols used to be written and sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has really survived. The traditional attributes of a carol are that it celebrates a seasonal topic, has alternating verses and chorus, and has danceable music.

Early Christians turned pagan solstice celebrations into Christmas celebrations and gave people Christian songs to sing instead of the pagan ones. Many composers all over Europe started to write carols, but not many people liked them because they were all written and sung in Latin, a language that the normal people couldn't understand. By the time of the Middles Ages (the 1200s), most people had lost interest in celebrating Christmas altogether.

St. Francis of Assisi brought change when, in 1223, he started his Nativity Plays in Italy. Songs or 'canticles' were sung that told the story during the plays. Sometimes, the choruses of these new carols were in Latin; but normally they were all in a language that the people watching the play could understand and participate in! The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany and other European countries.

The earliest known carol was written around 1410, but only a very small fragment of it still exists. The carol was about Mary and Jesus meeting different people in Bethlehem. Most Carols from this time and the Elizabethan period are actually fictional stories, very loosely based on the Christmas story, about the holy family and were seen as entertaining rather than religious songs. They were usually sung by travelling singers or minstrels in private homes, rather than in churches. These performers changed the words of the carols to fit the local people and area where they were travelling and performing. One carol that changed continually like this is 'I Saw Three Ships'.

In 1647, Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came to power in England, and the celebration of Christmas and singing carols was stopped. It was felt that they were “nonessential” and too closely associated with Roman Catholicism. However, the carols survived, as people still sang them in secret. During Victorian times two men, William Sandys and Davis Gilbert, re-discovered and compiled old Christmas music from villages in England. They were instrumental in arranging the music for church use, with religious instead of secular lyrics.

Much of what we know as Christmas music today was adopted from music that had been initially created for other purposes and later "adopted" to the season, often because it:

• Referred directly to the nativity of Jesus;
• Had a wintry theme, such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Let it Snow,” and “Sleigh Ride” (which oddly enough is about a birthday party, not a holiday party!);
• Referred to Christmas folklore, such as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, reindeer or elves, the North Pole, etc.
• Referred to Christmas traditions, such as the Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas tree, wassailing, Yule log, stockings, lights, gifts, etc.
• Put people into the mood of the Christmas season.

Today, many churches have one or more musical services at Christmas time. In one of the most popular types of carol services, the church is only lit by candlelight and it feels very Christmassy. Carols by Candlelight services are held in countries all over the world.

Perhaps the most famous carol service is the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College in Cambridge, England. This service takes place on Christmas Eve and is broadcast live on BBC Radio and all over the world. In the US, local PBS stations broadcast it live and then may rebroadcast it several times on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This famous Service was first performed in 1918 as the college celebrated the end of the First World War. It is always started with a single choir boy singing a solo of the first verse of the Carol 'Once in Royal David's City'. A service of Nine Lessons and Carols has nine Bible readings (or lessons) that tell the Christmas story, with one or two carols between each lesson.

Craft: music note
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/musicalcrafts/l/blspinmusicnote.htm
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/beadedsafetypins/l/blspinmusicnote.htm
http://dev.origami.com/images_pdf/eighth_note.pdf

The Story of Christmas Music Unit Study

As is our family's annual tradition, we have a special time of learning in December in the days leading up to Christmas. This year's theme is Christmas music. Each day we will learn about a Christmas song, and do a craft related to that song. We have so many Christmas ornaments from doing a unit study every year, that my kids have to have their own tree for all of their stuff! What fun :-)

Each day from December 1-25 on this blog, you will find a day from our unit study, along with some craft ideas and a few links for crafts that we might do.

The Story of Christmas Music
Christmas Study, 2008


Music to Enjoy
Benjamin Britten A Ceremony of Carols
Ralph Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Victor Hely-Hutchinson Carol Symphony
The Sixteen A Medieval English Christmas
Anonymous 4 On Yoolis Night & Wolcum Yule
http://songsofpraise.org/christmas.htm
A Classical Kids Christmas
James Galway’s Christmas Carol
Anything by Mannheim Steamroller
Anything sung by the King’s College Choir
King’s Singers A Little Christmas Music
Canadian Brass The Christmas Album
Canadian Brass Noel

Christmas Music Midi and Words Websites
http://www.christmas-carols.net/
http://the-north-pole.com/carols/
http://www.allchristmaslyrics.com/
http://www.links2love.com/christmas_songs.htm/
http://www.geocities.com/toveza/index.html
http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/Christmas/carols.html
http://www.12days.com/library/carols/
http://www.santas.net/songs.htm
http://www.share-christmas.com/carols/
http://members.tripod.com/stnickandhissleigh/
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/cmascorner/carols.html
http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/christmas-songs.htm/printable
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/christmascarols/Christmas_Carols_Songs_and_Poems.htm

Other Related Websites
http://www.mfiles.co.uk/ Free sheet music downloads, including Christmas music
http://musiced.about.com/library/quizzes/bl_christmas_music_trivia.htm Christmas Music Trivia Quiz

Books Christmas Carols and Their Stories compiled by Christopher Idle
Stories of Christmas Carols by Ernest K. Emurian
The Spirit of Christmas by Virginia Reynolds (includes music CD)
Oxford Book of Christmas Poems
All for the Newborn Baby
The Huron Carol by Jean de Brebeuf
Frosty the Snowman
Away in a Manger by Jan Lewis
A Book of Christmas Carols edited by Elizabeth Poston & Malcolm Williamson
The First Noel: A Child’s Book of Christmas Carols to Play and Sing
The Friendly Beasts: A Christmas Carol ill. By Sharon McGinley
Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale & Tim Ladwig
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with art from the National Gallery, London
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L May
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Joanna Isles
The 12 Days of Christmas: A Pop-Up Celebration by Robert Sabuda
Silent Night: A Christmas Carol is Born by Maureen Brett Hooper
Silent Night, Holy Night ill by Maja Dusikova
Carols selected and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Fun With Easy Origami Dover publication
Christmas Origami by John Montroll
Origami for Christmas by Chiyo Araki
Ornagami: An Origami Christmas at Your Fingertips by Gay Merrill Gross

Christmas Crafts
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/christmas-crafts-ms/
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/christmascrafts/a/103000a.htm
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/christmas_crafts-t37.html
http://www.craftbits.com/viewCategory.do?categoryID=XMS
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/index.shtml
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html
http://www.crayola.com/crafts/christmas-crafts/
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectlist?categoryid=64582
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_pages.htm
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/crafts.html
http://childfun.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3
http://www.4kraftykidz.com/FreeCrafts.html
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/shrinky.htm
http://www.origami-club.com/en/
http://www.giladorigami.com/swami/holidays.html

Spelling

from wilber01:

I don't recommend memorizing an arbitrary list of words each week, testing, and then moving on. Typically, the words will be forgotten the following week and it has never worked for us. What has worked the best for us is 1. Working on words that the child misses in his or her writing. I secretly keep a list so that my children don't feel pressure when they are writing. Sometimes we never get the words because overtime they correct themselves. The kids, even in middle school, only work on five words at a time... they don't know the words are from a list of their misspellings. 2. Reading, reading, reading 3. Writing using Microsoft Word with the setting that underlines misspellings as they are typed. (Make sure the auto correct is not on.) This points out to the child that immediate correction is needed. I strongly believe in practicing correctly. If a misspelled word is repeated, they are practicing incorrectly. 4. Casually point out the correct spelling of words when a child is writing by hand but don't push it or make a big deal over it.... contradicting my previous statement, if they don't fix it just let it slide. We always have that emotional aspect to deal with too!

from tomandkara:

We use Spelling Power and I really like it. We've been using it for about a year now.
Another thing that was an ace in my son's pocket is that we used an EXCELLENT phonics program when he was learning to read. He learned a lot of the rules of spelling from rules for sounding out words and he's been able to carry that over into his writing now. (We used Wilson Fundations, for the record.)
I think it's important to teach spelling, but you have to include a range of skills...1. Phonics skills (because if you learn the phonics rules you can use them to read or spell)2. Directed practice for words that are misspelled (and I think it makes more sense to use a list, like Spelling Power, that is built off of the most commonly used words since those are the ones you will encounter more)3. Dictionary skills (so you can find the correct spelling the old fashioned way)4. Word processing skills (because, let's face it, computers are a way of life now)
The thing I really like about Spelling Power is that the student is able to by-pass words he already knows how to spell. There is no studying of a list of 20 words for a week even though he can already spell 18 of them.
Hope that helps!

from cl-susanmercy:
We use Spelling Power. I too like that dd doesn't have to study a word list all week and then be tested on it, even tho she already knew most of the words. It gives her a lot of confidence when she makes it thru a list with maybe only a couple of practice words...especially when she spells some hard words correctly (like "annoyance" the other day, woohoo!) We tried Sequential Spelling for a semester and she asked to return to Spelling Power. I also agree with the PP about using words that your kids misspell in their writing. Those were some great ideas, btw! I've recently come across All About Spelling and it looks pretty good, but I've not used it (yet.) Those who do use it have nothing but praise for it. It looks like you could use it with a child of any age, including remediation of an older child with spelling difficulties.

Toddler Entertainment Ideas

From two_girls_mom2007:

I don't have any toddlers around anymore. But I have this distinct memory of trying to scrapbook or put pictures in a photo album when my youngest was somewhere between one and two, and she would just grab everything on the table and throw it down and mix everything up. I also remember checking on her in her crib once, and she had gotten a copy of "Chica Chica Boom Boom" in her crib and ripped it into tiny little shreds. So I know one can be destructive!! I just found these for you. Hope something helps. The lists of activities look like they might be for a little older, but they may come in handy at some point. The first article is specifically about having a toddler, though I did just skim it.. So if it is bad, sorry!
http://chfweb.net/articles/week29.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sasschool/preschoolers.html
http://www.loveathome.com/homeschool/littleones.htm
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/205/soqnas.html

From hbbk20:
I hate to say this...it gets such a bad rap, but does the TV calm him? Like a video? How about a mothers helper, will he play with another kid like a middle school aged home school friend? That would be helpful and maybe even helpful to the middle schooler to care for a child before going on to baby sit alone. Otherwise I did a lot of playpens, highchairs, bouncy chairs, gated off safe zones with toys and music and things to try and entertain the hoighly busy toddlers in my home, while I did my best to get anything else done, or an older kids homework time. Otherwise wait till Dad arrives hand him a busy toddler and do your school work at homework time. It is not easy with a toddler bouncy and busy but it can be done with some creative forethought and perhaps a little help. Remember....they are not toddlers for ever, and that busy stage can be re-focused much better as they age with Sports, Arts and other activity.

From a_and_b_c_for_me:

Right there with you with my 13 month old, who is just now giving up his morning nap and thus throwing our schedule for a loop. I do use nursing as a distraction for part of the time, but he'll only nurse for so long!
For sure, I'll be checking out the links in the above posts. I also just tolerate a certain amount of mess-making by him. Keeping snacks on-hand helps sometimes (but not always.) Finally, we do take breaks and resume some subjects once he's asleep in the early afternoon. It's harder that way for sure, and I still try to do as much as possible in the AM, but sometimes it's just easier that way. Flexibility is key. Too bad I'm not real good at that, lol!

Weather Goodies

Hurricane Song http://www.learninggamesforkids.com:80/educational_videos/educational_videos_hurricane_song.html

Weather Activities (temp converter, weather predictor, lesson plans, and more) http://www.edheads.org:80/activities/weather/

Weather Lesson Plans http://www.edheads.org:80/activities/lesson_plans/index.htm

The Importance of Art Education

Another article to share...this one on The Importance of Art Education.

Giftedness

I really liked these articles on gifted kids and on homeschooling a gifted preschooler Homeschooling a Gifted Perschooler. (I only wish Dr. Sears hadn't said to hs until kindergarten, but given the context of the article, it may have come across differently than he intended, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. And, for the record, I don't think you have to send your child off to kindergarten after you've homepreschooled him or her ;-)

Article About Scheduling

I ran across this helpful blog article: Scheduling the Easy Way--A 5 Step Plan. I hope you'll find it helpful, especially if you are new to homeschooling.

Thoughts on Latin

from kbmomto3:
I don't really think it's [studying Latin] *necessary.* I do think it helps with vocabulary and it impresses the extended family. ;-) We're going to play at it a bit this year, at least while we're studying Ancient Rome. I'm not sure if we'll continue after that or not.

from nancymc:
like studying Latin, and it's something that has been VERY useful for me in my career (medical field), as I can easily decipher big words and figure out what I need to know, even when I've not heard of the diagnosis before or whatever.

I think that *for us*, it's been appropriate to dissect why we want to study it. I have no desire to have kids who are fluent, and I don't have time to study to that level with them, we just have too much on our plates. So I don't worry overly much about the declensions and the case endings and all that stuff (though we do work on conjugation, as it makes the meaning more clear).

For us it's more about vocabulary, knowing the origins of English words so that we can have a broader vocabulary and can figure out words we might not know otherwise. It's also about knowing the roots for spelling and other languages.

Bottom line, we take our time with it (we only did lessons 1-12 this year, will do 13-24 next year), don't stress about being fluent, and try to just have some fun with it.

from m00minmamma:
I worked through two years of high school Latin with my eldest a couple of years back and it was great (I think she was 11 when we started). But it was only great because she was the one who wanted to do it, for her own reasons. She loved it, but I can't imagine inflicting a formal Latin curriculum on a kid who wasn't dying to do it.

from teddiebear_hugs:
really like the idea of just taking our time with it. I don't even need to plan the lessons out, just do a lesson on whatever day is good for us that week. If we have already spent a large amount of time doing other lessons and projects on a certain day, skip Latin. DS is interested in studying Latin, and this will keep the pressure off me, but allow him to study it.

from jujsky:
It's not necessary, but I do feel that Latin is an excellent elective if you can fit it in. It will help your son with science, and just about any other foreign language he takes in the future. So many words we use daily and in the sciences have Latin roots. I took a year of it my senior year in high school (after 3 years of Spanish) and I still find what I managed to retain useful.

from mom2adeline:
I think it depends on what direction you are hoping to go with the education of the child. As many people here know, I've tried many different things with my dd just to try to keep her occupied. I recently read the first edition of Andrew Campbell's Latin Centered Curriculum from the library and am anxiously waiting for some money to buy the second edition of the book. Many things that he said really made sense to me and he makes a strong argument for making Latin first priority. This is difficult for me because I'm still trying to get rid of the public school experience, but Latin works well for Adeline. She instantly applies what she learns and watching her learn strongly supports what Andrew Campbell says in his book. For example, we learned "habito" in Latin and when she was reading a book about animals she looked up and said "Their habitat must be where they live." She is also learning English grammar in a very gentle way through the Latin that seems to make so much more sense to her.

from cl-susanmercy:
I think some Latin study has some value. I've tried to learn it for myself and I get bogged down by the declensions and conjugations and stuff. So I'm stumped as to how to approach it with my kids, other than learning word roots and meanings so they can be applied to everyday language. Really, that's more important anyway since it's not a spoken language. I toyed with a medical terminology book when I was a teenager--that part really fascinated me. I will probably incorporate word roots and meanings into our studies at some point, as part of vocabulary. Maybe closer to high school. It's in the back of my mind! Meanwhile, on to Spanish ;-)