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I grew up mainly in England. Most towns have a town square. Every December 24th, right before Christmas, there's always carol singing. Everyone can meander over and join in.
It's wonderful. The ******** are always enraptured by it. I miss it so much.
carol singing christmas town square england
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Explain
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see thats very nice.
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It is the thought that counts, plus some are pretty good.
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I know people love Christmas caroling but I can't stand it. I love Christmas. I love the cold, the colors, setting up the decorations and lights, the anxiety waiting for Christmas morning and even the shopping craziness. But I do not like the Christmas carolers. Every time they knock on your door and sing it's just really awkward. In my option Christmas caroling is up there with fruitcake.
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Just don't answer the door & save your time and theirs. They would rather move on than be awkward as well. P.S. I love fruitcake.... It has to be made with the right stuff.
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All you need to do is use common sense when it comes to Christmas traditions and their meanings.

Christmas Tree: Although its origins can be traced to 16th century (1500s) Northern Germany, no one or no town or city can be identified as its origin. There is some evidence that it was initially brought to Germany by Franciscan missionaries from Italy. The manger scene that one sees during Christmas time is attributed to Saint Francis of ******. Tradition also states that Francis himself decorated a tree each year and placed the manger under it. As Francis's birth/death dates are 1181/82 - 1226 AD, it is quite possible that the tradition spread with his order throughout Europe.

Bringing a tree into the home and decorating it with a manger scene under the tree became popular throughout Europe, and by the 1800s it was common in most homes and in most cities and towns. German immigrants brought the tradition to the American colonies in the 1600-1700s.

The Christmas Tree is a symbolic scene from Scripture. The Star of Bethlehem is represented by a star ornament at the very top of the tree. The tree itself represents the rays of the Bethlehem Star shining down upon the manger, which is placed under the tree. The decorated tree is the starry firmament of the sky. Sometimes the garla...













All you need to do is use common sense when it comes to Christmas traditions and their meanings.

Christmas Tree: Although its origins can be traced to 16th century (1500s) Northern Germany, no one or no town or city can be identified as its origin. There is some evidence that it was initially brought to Germany by Franciscan missionaries from Italy. The manger scene that one sees during Christmas time is attributed to Saint Francis of ******. Tradition also states that Francis himself decorated a tree each year and placed the manger under it. As Francis's birth/death dates are 1181/82 - 1226 AD, it is quite possible that the tradition spread with his order throughout Europe.

Bringing a tree into the home and decorating it with a manger scene under the tree became popular throughout Europe, and by the 1800s it was common in most homes and in most cities and towns. German immigrants brought the tradition to the American colonies in the 1600-1700s.

The Christmas Tree is a symbolic scene from Scripture. The Star of Bethlehem is represented by a star ornament at the very top of the tree. The tree itself represents the rays of the Bethlehem Star shining down upon the manger, which is placed under the tree. The decorated tree is the starry firmament of the sky. Sometimes the garland represents the Aurora Borealis. In this sense, the Christmas Tree is definitely a most sacred Christian symbol of the birth of the Christ *****, which is found in the Luke's birth narrative.

Santa Claus: ...is an actual Catholic Saint who is also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra. His feastday is celebrated on December 5. He was a fourth-century Greek bishop who was known for his generosity to the poor, particularly to girls about to marry and ********. A movement was started by Martin Luther to downplay gift-giving on December 5th, and he suggested that people begin giving gifts on December 25th honoring the birth of Christ.

Down through the centuries his story became exaggerated and intertwined with pagan stories of Odin (Germanic), Father Christmas (English), Kris Kringle (Austrian), Santa Claus (Dutch) - just to name a few.

Christmas Carols: The word carol or carole is a medieval word of French and Anglo-Norman origin, believed to mean a dance song or a circle dance accompanied by singing. Broadly defined, carols express religious joy and is often ********** to the Christmas season. Carols are also used to describe late medieval English songs on various subjects with a verse and refrain. Often the verse and refrain (also called burden) alternates.

Christmas crib: (see Christmas Tree above - manger scene)

Yule Log: Yule log is a large wooden log which is burned in the hearth as a part of traditional Yule or Christmas celebrations in several European cultures. It can be a part of the Winter Solstice festival or the Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Twelfth Night.

The expression "Yule log" has also come to refer to log-shaped Christmas cakes, also known as "chocolate logs" or "Bûche de Noël".

The word yule means 'Christmas', or the season or feast celebrating Christmas. It comes from the Middle English word for Christmas yole and from Old English geol.
(more)
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Christmas Tree came from the Yule Log, didn't it?
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Many of the "Christian" holidays are modeled around the old Pagan holidays and customs. The Easter Egg is the old Pagan symbol for fertility, Apparently I did not click the "more" ****** to read your entire post...but you get it.
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I have actually never seen carolers... but i ****** they are cheery i do looooove christmas music.
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you are correct
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Yule was the traditional name for the celebrations around the 25th; the festival lasted for twelve days, which are now the twelve days of Christmas. The origin of the word Yule seems originate from the Anglo Saxon word for sun and light. Most likely regarding the rebirth of the sun from the shortest day. In many places fires or candles were kindled to burn through the twelve days that marked the festivities
sun shortest places fires candles kindled burn days marked festivities
Many of the symbols of Christmas echo its aspect of rebirth and hope in darkness. Holly was thought to be important because it retains its greenery right through the winter months, and as such is a symbol of summer life in the winter starkness. Holly was the male symbol of this greenery, and Ivy was the feminine, the two often placed together as a symbol of fecundity at the dark *** of the year. There was also a belief that evergreen plants and trees were refuges for the woodland spirits through the winter months.
Evergreen Trees a symbol of life
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The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze be a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.
tree teutons yggdrasil herb sun ash brings light hearth solstice
Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.
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The Pagan Santa
pagan santa


His name is Odin and was considered to be the *** of Yule, (a pagan midwinter festival) by many of the Germanic peoples. The legend of Odin spoke of a great long bearded man who flew through the sky with the aid of an eight-legged horse.


The horse was rumored to not only be able to fly, but apparently could also leap great distances as well. ******** in these ancient days would leave carrots, sugar or straw in their boots for Odin’s flying horse, the boots placed carefully near the chimney. Odin was said to reward the ******** for their kindness with food, sweets or presents.
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Man and Horse that Built Civilization
The evergreen tree is a symbol of the green to come at the re-birth of Mother Earth. In ancient Egypt they laid gifts under Palm Trees during the winter celebration. In ancient Rome they used the fir tree (called the Baal Berith) as a testimony to the Pagan messiah, Baal Tamar.
rome fir tree baal berith testimony pagan messiah baal tamar

In classical literature, Nimrod is sometimes called Ninus, but Ninus was probably, in fact, Nimrod's son, the builder of the city of Ninevah. Nimrod's wife was Semiramis, the Queen of Heaven, and sometimes her husband is called Ninus, while other times, Ninus is said to be her son. The confusion is related to the story of Nimrod's deification. The legend said that Nimrod was killed, but that he was resurrected as his wife's son, a feat which could have been orchestrated only by a ***.
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Baal-Bereth is the Father of the Yule season and the Yule (xmas) Tree. "The Christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in PaganRome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt that tree was the palm-tree; in Rome it was the fir; thepalm-tree denoting the Pagan Messiah, as Baal-Tamar, the fir referring to him as Baal-Berith."¹
"The Christmas-tree, as has been stated, was generally at Rome a different tree, even the fir;but the very same idea as was implied in the palm-tree was implied in the Christmas-fir; forthat covertly symbolised the new-born *** as Baal-Berith, "Lord of the Covenant," and thusshadowed forth the perpetuity and everlasting nature of his power, not that after having fallen before his enemies, he had risen triumphant over them all." ²

covenant thusshadowed perpetuity everlasting nature power fallen enemies risen triumphant

In Egypt they worshipped Nimrod as a palm tree, referring to him as the Messiah "Baal-Tamar." Among the most ancient of Baals, he was known as Baal-Bereth, “Lord of the fir-tree.” He evolved into Baal-Berith, “Lord of the Covenant.” In Ancient Rome, where they also worshiped the fir tree, they called him "Baal-Berith."
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Yule
The 25th of December, was observed in Rome as the day when the victorious *** reappeared on earth, and was held at the Natalis invicti solis, "The birth-day of the unconquered Sun." Now the Yule Log represents the dead stock of Nimrod, known as the Sun-***, but cut down by his enemies; the xmas-tree represents Nimrod- the slain *** reborn. The ancient practice of kissing under the mistletoe bough, most common to the Druids, was derived from Babylon, and was a representation of the Messiah, "The man the branch." The mistletoe was regarded as a divine branch --a branch that came from heaven, and grew upon a tree that sprung out of the earth. Nimrod, the *** of nature, was symbolized by a great tree. But having been cut down and killed in his prime, he was now symbolized as a branchless tree stump, called the Yule Log. Then the great serpent came and wrapped itself around Nimrod (the stump). Miraculously, a new tree appeared at the side of the stump, which symbolized Nimrod’s resurrection and victory over death.
Man and Horse that Built Civilization
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I don't see why people have such a problem with it... Sometimes it just feels good to sing with other happy people. In smaller towns is where it's fun. I used to do it at church, Girl Scout & 4H. Going around and singing to the elderly shut-ins and stuff. If you could only see their faces. Caring never goes out of style.
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O Come All Ye Faithful...
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I love carolers. A nice tradition. I have even sung in a few.
christmas carolers
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That's the best kind :-) P.S. *LOVE* your profile pic
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I have only once seen carolers come around and that was out where one of my sisters lives.
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Even if you don't enjoy the message, enjoy the music and spirit of goodwill. Shut-ins love Carolers.
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Even I get into these songs at this time of year.
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A little cheesy, but I appreciate them. Going out of their way to try to make other people happy is a respectable thing.
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I don't get them they are just people singing in the middle of a parking lot or whatever
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Cool!
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Cherry with a little bit of cheese
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Thanks that's him reacting to local anesthetic. He was curious, because it smelt like Pina Colada so we gave him some and that was the reaction.
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Oh, that's okay. A lot of folks here on ******** have a **** time "getting" some of my comments. No harm, no foul. I have to say that is one fine-looking feline you have there. I don't understand why cats love big picture windows, because as you say, the plants and birds are on the OTHER side of the glass! Of course, kitties are rather **** to fathom anyway, which adds to their mystique. I'm sad to hear that so many people have dumped their animals at your farm, but since you were kind enough to take them in, their stories have had a happy ******. Any friend of cats and dogs is a friend of mine! I've always felt that a person's character can be judged on how they treat animals. *** bless all creatures great and small!
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I mean, I get it, it's good work, you get paid to stand there in costume and sing, I'm all for that as one OF the carollers... but as an "audience" member, so to speak, I just find them irritating.
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Well, I'm not entirely familiar with it but from what I see sometimes, it looks fun but can also be annoying. :/
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If it makes you feel good...DO IT....!
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Bah, humbug...
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Boo
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Duh... I was actually being mostly facetious. But hey, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! [P.S. What a cute little kitty avatar!]
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Sometimes I get too serious after reading too many opinions....You have a Merry Christmas as well! Kitty is at her new torture station, with the plants and bird-feeder right out the window. Someone dumped her at my farm and she just moved right in and took right over, told the dogs what-for. She was the 4th cat dumped on my road this fall :-( All are now fixed and at least have food, shelter and lots of mice.
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Man and Horse that Built Civilization
The Babylonians celebrated the birth of the *** Tammuz on the Winter Solstice and *** Nimrod would visit the evergreen trees of the people and leave gifts upon them.
The early Christian Church frowned upon the exchange of gifts because of its Pagan origins. People refused to give up the customs of their old Pagan religions, though. Ultimately, around 700 years ago, the Christian Church decided to attribute the gift exchange to symbolize the gifts given to Jesus by the three Wise Men. It took the Church over 1,300 years to finally "borrow" the Pagan ritual of gift exchanging and call it their own. Teen titans  Jinx
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