Bern's Eye View

by Bernadine Hildebrant

I Wish You a Merry Christmas Season and a Happy New Year!      

I know it's a little late to wish all of you a Merry Christmas, but we take turns at the LRL to write, and my turn wasn't at Christmas. However, I found it interesting to read how this holy day is celebrated around the world. I hope you do, also.    

In Austria, the emphasis is upon light as a symbol of the eternal light God gave man in the Christ Jesus. Three large candles are prepared for the ceremony in the home. The father lights the first candle with a burning taper. As he does so, he chants "Christ is born, Christ is born." Then each member of the family takes the taper and repeats. "Praise to the Lord, Christ is born." After the ceremony, Christmas dinner is served.   

In Brazil the Christmas season is celebrated with an open air Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve. After devotions, the families have Christmas Eve supper in their homes. (A little history. The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) was located where Del Pope's resort is now) and during Midnight Mass at Holy Trinity, three army truckloads of men came to the devotion. It was absolutely heavenly to hear them singing as they came into the church, and as they left. Silent Night was the favorite hymn for them to sing, and the members of the church added their voices, also. I always remember that during the Christmas season, and say a special prayer for the men. When the war started, they all left to join the United States  military service.    

In Canada Christmas day began with a midnight Mass of great splendor, followed by an elaborate after-church dinner. On January 5th, the holiday season ends with the feast of the Kings of Epiphany. It is at this feast that the traditional cake, "Le Gateau des Rois" is cut. This cake has a pea and bean in it, and the King and Queen of the Twelfth Night are elected by those receiving them.    

In Czechoslovakia Christmas means the ending of all quarrels and the beginning of a new year among friends. A legend still believed in is that St. Nicholas descends from a golden cord, led by a white-clad angel. The little children go to bed early on Christmas Eve to make sure that St. Nicholas will stop and leave a present for them.    

In England, on Christmas Eve, the yule log is brought inside and placed in the big fireplace. According to custom, each person in the family must sit upon the log and salute it before it is lighted to assure good luck for the household in the new year. (I hope they don't sit too close to the fire??!)    

In Germany, toy-giving is an important part of Christmas. The immortal carol, Silent Night, Holy Night, was one of the many contributions to the Christmas season by the Germans of yesteryear.    

In Ireland, one of the most beautiful of Christmas customs is practiced. On Christmas Eve candles are lighted and placed in every window of the house and doors are left ajar. The candlelight and the open door are symbols of welcome hospitality, assuring the Irish people that no couple seeking shelter for a Baby who is the Son of God will be homeless.    

At Christmas time in the United States, all customs and religions stand on common ground, carols, choirs, candlelight services, poinsettias and mistletoe, glistening white snow, which we had this holiday season,  clearly reveal the message of the angels of, "Peace on earth to all men of good will."

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I thought you might like to know the origin of the "Twelve days of Christmas,” an old English Christmas carol. The 'partridge in a pear tree' is Jesus. He is symbolically  presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem. Here it is:

*The first day of  Christmas - Jesus Christ. (The partridge in a pear tree.)

*The second day: Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments

*The third day: French Hens - Faith, Hope, and  Charity

*The fourth day: Calling Birds - The four gospels/the four evangelists

*The fifth day: Golden Rings - The first five books of the Old Testament.

*The sixth day: Geese-A-Laying -  The six days of creation.

*The seventh day: Swans-a-Swimming - The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - the seven sacraments.

*The eighth day: Maids A-Milking - The eight beautitudes.

*The ninth day: Ladies Dancing - The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

*The tenth day: Lords-A-Leaping - The ten commandments.

*The eleventh day: Pipers Piping - The eleven faithful apostles.

*The twelfth day: Drummers Drumming - The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

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I found a really good “after holiday" dinner recipe. I  hope you like it.

Scalloped Potato Casserole

2 boxes three-cheese scalloped potatoes

4 cups boiling water

1-1/3 cups milk

2 T. butter

1 tsp. mustard

1 bag (2 oz.) frozen broccoli, cooked

3 cups cheese-flavored crackers, crushed    

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray glass baking dish with cooking spray. Make potatoes as directed on box for stove-top directions. Stir in mustard. Add half the potatoes to baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle broccoli over top. Pour remaining potatoes on top of broccoli. Sprinkle crushed crackers on top. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until sauce is bubbling. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. It will thicken as it stands. (I wonder if you could use a package of frozen veggies instead of the broccoli. Let me know if you can. Thanks).

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The following plaque was on Dr. Huffingtons' office door. It's very appropriate for this New Year.   I shall pass this way only once. Any good that I can do Let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again.

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A very Happy and Healthy 2016 to all of you.