Product Description

With o many customs and traditions during the Christmas season, we often do not pause to wonder and ponder about how and why they began.

Of all the seasonal celebrations of the year, Christmas has more traditional plants with their accompanying legends and symbolism than any other season.

Holly, ivy, mistletoe, the poinsettia, rosemary, the Yule log, and the most popular and recognized of all - the Christmas tree - each has its own fascinating legend and history.

Many customs and traditions of the season are surrounded by an aura of mystery and magic.

Drawing from ancient Druid, Celtic, Norse and Roman civilizations, along with Christian beliefs, myths have been created in an effort to explain the unexplainable.

Decking the Halls explores the history of our popular Christmas plants and flowers during this most holy season.

Pencil drawings complement the text.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #625772 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-12
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .51" h x 5.90" w x 5.90" l, .45 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

From the Inside Flap
Once upon a time, long, long ago, on a magical, mystical night, the world changed. The magic of Magi and the mysteries of the mystics could not compare with the wonder of that night. It was a night when legends tell us that stars fell from the sky to become the flowers that we know as buttercups encircling the manger in a glow of golden color, a night when ordinary weeds became majestic, brilliant flowers to honor the Son of God, and a night when animals spoke. It was a simpler time, when science and technology did not explain away the magic and mystery of the unknown, when faith and belief in the incredible were all that were needed in the face of the unexplainable. Today, we decorate our homes, yard, streets and businesses with lights, candles, greenery accented with red, Santa Claus, and ornaments in all shapes, sizes and colors. We honor our friends and families with special gifts for the season. but why do we do these things year after year? Of course, the ob! vious reason for Christians is to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. But many of our seasonal traditions and customs have been borrowed from ancient cultures and practices that existed before the birth of Christ, thus making modern-day Christmas a truly multiculural celebration that unites all mankind in a cosmic celebration. Could this possibly be the real meaning of the Nativity experience?

About the Author
Linda Allen is a contributor for Willow Creek Press titles including Decking the Halls.