Santa Claus is a mythical gift-giving figure in various cultures who distributes presents to children, traditionally on December 24, Christmas Eve. The popular American form Santa Claus originated as a mispronunciation of Dutch Sinterklaas which is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).

Father Christmas is a well-loved figure in many countries and predates the “Santa Claus” character. “Father Christmas” is similar in many ways, though the two have quite different origins. Using ‘Santa’ in places that predominantly call him ‘Father Christmas’ is often viewed as an Americanism and is quite rare, although they are generally regarded as the same character. Father Christmas is also present instead of “Santa” in Albania (“Babadimri”), Armenia (“Gaghant Baba”), Denmark (“Julemanden”), Hungary (“Mikulás”), Italy (“Babbo Natale”), Lithuania (“Kalėdų Senelis”), Brazil (“Papai Noel”), Portugal (“Pai Natal”), Romania (“Moş Crăciun”), Russia (Ded Moroz ), Germany (“Weihnachtsmann” or “Nikolaus”), Scottish Highlands (“Daidaín na Nollaig”), France and French Canada (“Le Père Noël”), Ireland (“Daidí na Nollaig”), Finland (“Joulupukki”), Norway (“Julenissen”), Sweden (“Jultomten”), Bulgaria (“Dyado Koleda”), Turkey (“Noel Baba”), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (“Deda Mraz”), Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America (“Papá Noel”), Afghanistan (“Baba Chaghaloo”), Iraq and South Africa (“Vader Kersfees”), Chile (Viejo Pascuero), Malta (“San Niklaw”), Egypt (“Papa Noël”), Iran (“Baba Noel”).

Santa Claus, legendary bringer of gifts at Christmas is generally depicted as a fat, jolly man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit trimmed with white, and driving a sleigh full of toys drawn through the air by eight reindeer. Santa (also called Saint Nicholas and Saint Nick) is said to visit on Christmas Eve, entering houses through the chimney to leave presents under the Christmas tree and in the stockings of all good children.

The historical Saint Nicholas was venerated in early Christian legend for saving storm-tossed sailors, defending young children, and giving generous gifts to the poor. Although many of the stories about Saint Nicholas are of doubtful authenticity , his legend spread throughout Europe, emphasizing his role as a traditional bringer of gifts. The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht.

In these countries Nicholas was sometimes said to ride through the sky on a horse. He was depicted wearing a bishop’s robes and was said to be accompanied at times by Black Peter, an elf whose job was to whip the naughty children. The feast day of Nicholas, when presents were received, was traditionally observed on December 6. After the Reformation, German Protestants encouraged veneration of the (Christ child) as a gift giver on his own feast day, December 25. When the Nicholas tradition prevailed, it became attached to Christmas itself.

The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought by settlers to New York in the 17th century. As early as 1773 the name appeared in the American press as St. A Claus, but it was the popular author Washington Irving who gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.

The fully detailed modern image of Santa Claus plays a part in Christmas celebrations around the world. People are reminded of Santa Claus through advertising, greeting cards, decorations, and the annual appearance of Santas in department stores and shopping malls ,in some cases accompanied by Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves. The figure of Santa Claus occurs in motion pictures and in songs such as Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and Here Comes Santa Claus. Children write letters to Santa Claus and set out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve as a snack for Santa.

Although most adults view Santa as the embodiment of a spirit of giving, some argue that the modern image of Santa Claus conflicts with the true meaning of Christmas and promotes greed and commercialism. To reconcile the legend of Santa Claus with the religious significance of Christmas, some Christians emphasize that the modern figure is derived from legends about a saint who symbolized love, caring, and generosity.

Perhaps the most popular of all football monikers is Pele or the Black Pearl, as the greatest footballer of all times, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is known. Winner of three FIFA World Cups, he was latter dubbed O Rei (The King) for this outstanding achievements. Pele was a name the legend picked up in school, though even he wasn’t too clear as to how he got the name! Whatever you call him, he will always be remembered as the ultimate when it comes to football.

If Pele was The King, Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer was The Emperor (Der Kaiser). He dominated world football wearing the number 5 soccer shirt in 1974 and later went on to become the national team’s coach. His teammate was another legend, Gerd Muller, who gained a formidable reputation as The Bomber for his goal scoring capacity – 365 in 427 Bundesliga matches and 68 in 62 international matches!

Carrying on with titles both royal and military, Hungarian Ferenc Puskas, was referred to as The Galloping Major! It was the player’s actual rank as well as his nickname in the Hungarian army team. This three time UEFA Cup winner with Real Madrid was also dubbed the Cañoncito (Little Cannon) by adoring fans. And then, of course, there was Eric ‘The King’ Cantona and ‘Guv’nor’ Paul Ince, who became the first black player to captain England’s national team. Brazilian Adriano Leite Ribeiro, was fondly called L’Imperatore (The Emperor) and even ‘The Bulldozer’ at different points of his prolific career!

Moving on to names more ‘beastly’, who can forget Brazil’s Edmundo, who came to be known as ‘O Animal’ after his exploits on the pitch! Years before him, the dazzling dribbler Garrincha was dubbed Little Bird, and ended his career as The Joy of the People or Alegria do Povo.

Argentinean legend, Maradona, who made the number 10 soccer shirt a much sought after inheritance, began with the nickname Fluffy due to his untidy mop! Thankfully, he didn’t get stuck with the sobriquet, and moved on to an extremely flattering one – The Golden Child or El Pibe de Oro. But when it comes to Diego Maradona can that be enough! He became the only player in the world whose body part has been given a nickname – The Hand of God – after his infamous goal during the 1986 FIFA World Cup!

One of the most interesting pet names by far has to be The Baby Faced Assassin! Norwegian footballer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, spent his best years at Manchester United, where he scored 126 goals, earning him a reputation as The Baby Faced Assassin for his lethal goal scoring skills, matched with his misleading ‘babe in the woods’ look!

These diminutives have become so popular, that most fans don’t even know their favorite players actual names! Actually, their real names are nothing short of confusing. As a diehard football fan would you know Ricardo Leite is our very own Kaka? Didn’t think so! Guess that’s why these nicknames have stuck on the players soccer team shirts… Thank God for that!

The earliest story on the neckties is originated from Egypt which is the most incredible part of their mysterious and exotic clothing culture. A long rectangular fabric is hanging on the shoulder and wrapped around the neck. It is similar to a short shawl and that is the prototype of neckties in the legend. In the ancient Egypt, this accessory has very important implication which represents the wearer’s social status. Only the noble is eligible to wear it, not the ordinary civilians. In a sense, the modern tie is the derivative of a conceptual product which is a symbol of the feudal system of ancient Egypt. It represents a clear class differentiation and is inherited through the necktie evolution.

There are even more stories on the neckties in the Europe among which the British ones are the most interesting. According to the old legend, the ties were invented by British women. They are headache to the stains on the clothing of their husband from the food. In order to keep them clean, the smart women put a piece of cloth attached to the collar. So he can wipe his mouth if needed. In addition, a few stones are also nailed into the man’s cuff for the decoration. Subsequently, these two British treasures become the current neckties and cuff links and have been sought after by men in the world. Of course, there are other legends. For example, the ties were used for the wind observation by Irish fishermen during fishing; their wife or lover of Roman soldiers prayed for the peace with a neck scarf around the first century BC; or they were used to cover the scar from the battle by British soldiers. No one knows whether they are real but it seems that the practice of neckties is indeed from the war.

Although there are different stories, the neckties should be originated from France according to the verified historical information. The wars were frequent in the Europe during the Middle Ages. In 1688, King Louis XIV in France started the war to Austria. At that time the Austrian soldiers wore a white scarf around the neck as an identity. The king liked that scarf which is known as Croatta. He made a scarf himself and wore it in the palace. After a while, he was bored by the plain style of Croatta so he began to make a new design for the scarf, such as adding the embroidery lace and tying a butterfly knot. This accessory was soon becoming popular in the palace since Louis took the lead as an example.

Moreover, this trend was spread to the army and every one followed that. The king Louis then did more on the Croatta such that one army was named after Croatta. The promotion by the king Louis is very important for the necktie development in the history. You could say there are no modern neckties if no promotion from King Louis XIV. The king had no idea how important his promotion for the modern fashion within next hundreds of years. The Croatta has been evolved into two categories in the current fashion industry: one is the necktie with the downward development and the other is the bow tie from the upward development.

“I simply paint what I see, beauty comes from our country and translates to my canvas.” Through these words, Do Xuan Doan, the legend of contemporary Vietnamese Art, expresses his love for the beautiful. Beauty, to him, lies in the simple nuances of country life. The contribution of this septuagenarian legend to the world of Vietnamese art has been immense. His paintings exude a natural calm, a placid contemplation, family bliss, the daily humdrum of village life, and of course, the beauty of nature- be it the blossoming of spring flowers or a lotus in a still pond.

Born in 1937 in Hanoi, Do Xuan Doan graduated from the Fine Art University of Hanoi, Vietnam. The contemporary social scenario of Vietnam during his teens had been pretty much torn with conflicts. With the military terms ending in 1975, Vietnam experienced around 25 years of virtual isolation. But the great devotees of art like Do Xuan Doan, Truong Dinh Hao, Nguyen Van Hai and others were finally successful in reviving he old aura of this cultural hub of the Orient and restore its erstwhile glory in the eyes of the world.

Doan’s work evokes a sense of aesthetic beauty: beauty that can be appreciated in its own terms. The scene of a market place, a seashore, an autumn noon, a flower market- these are the subjects of Doan’s painting. However, an interesting point to note is the incorporation of the human element in all these art works. All his paintings carry a beautiful juxtaposition of nature and daily life. The translation of life into canvas has been so successful with this painter that it has drawn the attention of art connoisseurs across the world.

Do Xuan Doan’s artistry finds further evidence in his successful portrayals on a variety of mediums. Be it oil painting, watercolor, or lacquer on wood, Doan has done full justice to his paintings on all canvas types. Reiterating his thoughts, Do Xuan Doan says, “Painting is my greatest passion and my motto is to live by the brush and to die by the brush.” A man over 70, Do Xuan Doan, still relishes the idea to come up with newer works of art, chiefly showcased in the Vietnamese Culture Week exhibition in Belgium and France. His artworks have gained wide acclaim and are hugely responsible for taking Vietnam art out of its Oriental shell, and letting it bask in European sunlight.

Every year during the month of October and at times into early November, I show my EFL students the Disney animated version of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. The video serves several purposes both didactic and non-didactic. It continues to be popular with the students regardless of their age, major or occupation.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Most of you are probably familiar with Washington Irving’s classic American short story, originally penned in 1819-1820, based on a German folktale. A transient schoolmaster, Icabod Crane, arrives in the tiny colonial burg of Sleepy Hollow situated near Tarrytown, in Westchester County of New York state. As he integrates into the local society, he falls for a wealthy farmer’s daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. The superstitious pedagogue battles a local rival for the fair maid’s favors. On the night of October 31st during festivities at the Van Tassel estate ghost stories told by the guests bring out the worst of Icabod’s fears. One story in particular, that of a Headless Horseman who rides one night each year in search of a new head, terrifies the schoolmaster beyond all else. The hapless schoolteacher later encounters the legendary Headless Horseman and … Well, if you don’t know the rest of the story it’s worth a read.

Setting the stage

The full-color, animated feature runs about 30 minutes, so it is short enough to fit well into a 90-minute class session. I prepare a two-page worksheet to help the students follow the story and extract key information as they watch. To set the stage overall we talk about legends in Colombia which may include:

o The Three Crosses (Las Tres Cruces)

o Chupacabra (like a female “Boogeyman”)

o El Duende (similar to a Leprechaun)

o Pata Sola (like a one-legged “Bigfoot”)

Are you superstitious?

After watching the story and working through the task sheet, we check answers and responses. We talk about their likes and dislikes which may be similar to those seen in the story. I also ask about their superstitions and reactions to situations like:

o Breaking a mirror

o A black cat or black butterfly approaching them

o Using a broom to ward off bad luck

o Walking under a ladder

The activity, in general, is useful for English levels from beginner to upper intermediate and beyond. It serves to illustrate some aspects of history, culture and customs in the USA associated with the fall of the year.

The Worksheet is available

If you have access to this particular video and would like to have a copy of the worksheet I use, e-mail your request to me at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com and Ill be glad to send you one right away.

Although I’m not a great proponent of using whole movies for their own sake in the EFL classroom, I do favor using short, 5 minute or so video clips on occasion. Audio visuals like videos do aid in lowering the affective filter of the students and can greatly promote learning when used judiciously.

There is nothing worse than going to training and getting stuck with a partner who complains and takes ages to transition between drills etc. One of the best aspects of the grappling dummy is the fact that it doesn’t complain, you can throw it, kick it and punch it and it just keeps getting up and it doesn’t mind. Whether you are a Brazilian jujitsu fighter, a Judo player or an MMA practitioner a grappling dummy is something you should look into getting. A dummy is great especially if there are times when you cannot get to training and you feel like doing some throws, position training and submissions. There are literally hundreds of techniques you can do including throws, takedowns, submissions, drills, ground and pound, punches, kicks as well as some really hard workouts that will have your heart rate through the roof.

I own a 2 legged legend grappling dummy (from Australia’s Grappling Store) but they do also come in style that is a base rather than being two legged. There are many different styles of dummies. I personally have used a Suples dummy and a Legend dummy and I believe the Legend dummy is much better due to the fact that it has two arms, two legs, and feels like more of a person when you throw it.

What you do with the grappling dummy will depend on your style of fighting. If you are a Brazilian jujitsu practitioner than you will do more submissions and position training, a Judoka will more often than not throw the dummy and an MMA or self defence trainer will kick, elbow and punch the dummy to all day long.

What to do with a dummy?

Judokas

For judoka I recommend doing a lot of throwing and transition drills with the dummy. Throws such as Osoto gari, Ippon Seoi nage, Ogoshi and Harai goshi are all fundamental Judo throws that you can do with the dummy. Other more advanced techniques you can do include Uchimata, Tani otoshi, Koshi guruma and Tai otoshi. You can even work a variety if combinations such as Osoto gari into Harai goshi or Uchimata into Ouchi gari. Due to the fact that the dummy has two bendable arms you can also dress him in a gi and work all your throws using a gi. This is great for throws such as Tsuri komi goshi and Morote seoi nage.

Transitions are also imperative for all judoka and therefore transitioning into Kesa gatame and Juji gatame are a must when training with the grappling dummy.

Brazilian Jujitsu practitioners (Ne Waza)

A grappling dummy is an awesome asset for Brazilian jujitsu players. If you are looking at developing your positional and submission skills then I believe a grappling dummy is exactly what you need. I highly recommend practicing position training such as advancing from scarf hold to side control and then to mount. You can also drill positions such as knee ride to knee ride as well as half guard and guard passing. The best part about using the dummy I’d the amount of receptions you can do of various submissions such as knee ride to arm bar as well as close side and far side arm bars. One of my favourite submissions to do with the dummy is straight arm locks and figure fours submissions from side control.

I personally practice a lot of gi chokes on my dummy especially the basis collar choke from mount as well as chokes from side control.

MMA Athletes

A grappling dummy is great if you are an MMA fighter. This is due to the fact that you can punch it, ground and pound it and elbow it all day long and it will never complain. Great drills include superman punches from the guard, punches from guard and elbows from the side control position. Because the Legend dummy has arms you can also advance to a crucifix position and throws elbows and punches to head. One of the most common attacks that the MMA fighters do at my club is knees to the body before advancing to mount and then throwing punches from the mount position. You can also stand the dummy up against a wall or cage (if you have one available), and practicing cage takedowns, Thai clinches, dirty boxing and much more in a position that really simulates a really MMA fight.

Workouts

The Legend dummies come in 30kg, 40kg & 55kg. Therefore you can do some incredible workouts that will have you fitter than you ever thought possible. Workouts such as the maximum amount of throws in 1 minute or 1 throw, 10 sprawls, 1 throw, 9 sprawls etc will have you puffing like you wouldn’t believe. You can also perform fireman’s carry squats, Zercher squats, shoulder presses and many more exercises that you can incorporate in between throwing, submitting or ground and pounding the dummy. Many MMA athletes do similar workouts to the new ‘Cage fitness’ regime but the main problem with Cage fitness is they do not include any submission attempts, or proper positional drilling (which are a huge part of MMA.)

Though Chinese series is often criticized as a knock-off or cheap reproduction of Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean series, shows like Yanxi Palace and The Legend of Fuyao are some of the most popular Chinese series watched worldwide thanks to global streaming sites. Despite their criticism, the series offers compelling reasons for viewers to watch them and even invest their feelings into the series.

Considerations during Production

Production companies of Chinese series ensure that they produce the highest quality dramas or C-Dramas as they are called. Increasing demand for premiere viewing content, especially in mainland China tightens the competition to the extent that production companies focus more on the details, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in terms of the set’s designs and the actors’ costumes. There is visible elegance and exuberance in the depictions of the characters in these dramas, making the viewers crave such a flawless appearance.

Production companies themselves do not always choose actors with a huge fan base but with good acting skills. The cast members of some of the series are a perfect fit for the role they play. Several actors of C-dramas like Yang Mi, Deng Lun, Song Wei Long, and others have established their reputation through their acting skills, which is equated with their brand.

Stories with real-life reflections

Given that China is a traditionally patriarchal society, it is hard to imagine women being more than subservient, helpless characters, let alone the character driving the story. However, series offers a different picture and cast strong, empowered female characters in both period and contemporary series. Series like Mulan, The Yanxi Palace, The Legend of Fuyao, and Princess Agents are filled with empowered women driving the story’s narrative.

Chinese series are highly relatable for an average viewer, portraying and weaving family ties as important. Given that China was a feudal country in the past, concepts of honor and heroism run deep in these stories. Honor and the thirst for heroism often serve as the motivation for the protagonist to achieve something. Moreover, a story where goodness finally prevails is loved by all.

Given the importance production companies of series give to the slightest of details, viewers get to experience life in China as it was in the time the story is set in. Viewers are guaranteed to be transferred to the realm of China and will experience it through its customs, cuisine, architecture, and others.

How the series progresses

While Korean series concludes after 16 episodes, series are more likely to last longer, going beyond 40 episodes, which allows them to expand the story and the characters providing a product with the finest details. The viewers would be engrossed in the story characterized by the right pacing, that they may not realize time has flown by, by the time they finish a series. China is a vast land and brings diverse experiences spread across time, which provide an endless stream of materials and stories to make a gripping series from.

The East Village of San Diego is becoming one of the hottest neighborhoods in Southern California to live. The East Village has seen a tremendous amount of private and public improvements in the past eight years. The biggest public improvement has been the addition of the Padres baseball stadium, know as Petco Park. The next big public improvement project planned is the new library.

On the private sector side, most of the new projects have been high rise condos, plus some new office buildings and lots of retail spaces. There were too many new condo projects built to list here and many more are planned. However, at this point (Spring 2008) all of the proposed condo projects have been put on hold for various financing and marketability reasons.

Let me share some of my thoughts on what I think are the best condo buildings in the East Village neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. In alphabetical order, there are lots of residential choices for condo buyers; 777 Lofts, Alta condos, Diamond Terrace condos, Element condos, Fahrenheit lofts, ICON condos & lofts, Legend condos, M2i lofts, Mark condos, Metrome condos, Metropolitan condos, Nexus condos, Park Boulevard East & West condos, Parkloft lofts, Row Homes on F Street, and Union Square condos.

I have my opinions but first let me share with you the opinions of the residents living in these condos, based on my survey results. According to the residents living in the above condos, The Metropolitan condos are the clear winner, with a rating of 4.5 stars. In fact, the Metropolitan condominium is downtown highest rated condo building, all neighborhoods included. The Metropolitan is unique in several ways, its 40 condos atop the Omni hotel. Residents of the Metropolitan condos can have room service and maid service from the hotel staff if desired. No other building offers that luxury. Also every unit in the Metropolitan condominium building is a corner unit, all have great views.

The next highest rated residential building in the East Village of San Diego is Parkloft. Parkloft is just that a building of lofts across the street from Petco Park. Of all the true loft buildings in downtown Parkloft is the best, from the construction to the amenities its a step above the rest.

Three recently completed condo buildings in downtown East Village Neighborhood are Alta condos, Legend condos, and The Mark condos. Each of these are top quality building with a slightly different appeal. Alta is the most modern design inside and out, plus it has a low HOA fee for a highrise. The Legend condos are very contemporary with a mass appeal interior design. Its developer BOSA has built more condos than anyone else in San Diego and have a great reputation. The Legend condos were built right inside Petco Park. The only condo built inside a baseball park anywhere. It has a great 7th floor common area deck for watching the ball games or just relaxing in a chase lounge by one of the fire pits. Finally the Mark condos is a stunning masterpiece of glass and stainless steel, designed from the outside in. Its a full service (amenity) building with great views and a phenomenal penthouse that is currently available for sale for I believe $10,000,000.

THE ACACIA

“I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle,

and the olive tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the

pine, and the box tree together:”

Is. 41:19

The symbolism of the acacia, or evergreen is well-known as a Masonic Lodge Symbol throughout Freemasonry. It was planted to mark the spot of the burial of a celebrated artist important to Masonic teachings. A sprig of evergreen is used by the Funeral Master during every Masonic funeral ceremony. The shittim-wood that was reputedly used by the children of Israel in the construction of Moses’ Tabernacle, as well as is the building of the Ark of the Covenant is a species of the acacia. Being a thorny tamarisk, it also grew around the dead body of Osiris in the Egyptian legend and constituted the crown of thorns crushed to the brow of the Christ during his Passion. In all of those events, the acacia represented immortality, because of its tenacity of life. Without question, the tamarisk was extraordinarily difficult to kill.

The ancients identified the acacia with the more sensitive plant known as the mimosa. A Coptic legend informs us that the mimosa was the first of all trees and shrubs to actually worship the Christ. Indeed, some of the early fathers of Christianity used the tree to symbolize the Christ. As such, the ancients meant to convey the notion that trees, plants and shrubs were living, breathing life forms that were animated with the Divine Light.

Trees are often mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the writings of the so-called pagans. As examples, we find messages about creation hidden with such symbols as the Tree of Life, which represents the spiritual point of balance or equilibrium, and the Tree of Knowledge, which represents polarity in the form of good and evil. Moses heard the voice of God emanating from a burning bush. Buddha received his illumination while under the bodhi tree and the consecrated rod of Hermes was nothing more than a type of tree.

Philosophers and priests were frequently referred to as trees. The very name of the Druids allegedly means “the men of oak trees.” Initiates into certain Syrian mysteries were called “cedars.” In fact, the famous “cedars of Lebanon” described in the First Degree of Masonry were initiated sages which constituted the true supports of King Solomon’s Temple. If one listens closely to the lessons in the First Degree, he will hear that the three pillars in the lodge symbolically represent the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens – originally regarded as three exceptionally wise and talented men who spiritually led the Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts and Masters, or overseers of the work.

As opposed to symbolizing specific people, Freemasonry uses the acacia to represent certain principles of spirituality that all people should aspire to attain. First, it is the emblem of the vernal equinox, or annual resurrection of the sun from the death of winter. Second, it signifies purity and innocence – traits also embodied in the legendary character Hiram Abif. Third, it typifies human immortality and the regeneration of life. The evergreen represents that immortal part of man that survives the destruction of the physical body and which will never, never, never die. Finally, it is the revered emblem of the ancient Egyptian Mysteries, to which Masonry owes much of its foundation.

The legend of Hiram Abif is liberally drawn from the Egyptian Mystery ritual of the murder and resurrection of Osiris. As such, the sprig of acacia also represents to Hiram’s resurrection to all Masons. In the Egyptian legend, the chest containing the body of Osiris, who was viciously murdered by Typhon, was washed ashore and lodged in the roots of a tamarisk, or acacia. The tamarisk grew into a mighty tree enclosing within itself the body of the murdered god. Some writers have theorized that this legend is the basis upon which the story was based about the sprig of acacia left at Hiram’s grave. Others also have asserted that the present-day Christmas tree is a continuation of the mystery of the evergreen.

Among Freemasons the essential lesson taught by the acacia pertains to the permanence of the human soul. The theme of permanence is bundled up into the various theologies and philosophies arising out of the notion of the resurrection. Today, certain religions teach that when a human dies eventually both his soul and material body continue in a heavenly environment. Other religions hold that only the soul continues to live. Most accept the contention that souls always were and ever will be living organisms. Regardless of the interpretation one selects regarding an afterlife, Freemasonry attaches an equally important significance to this life.

For centuries, men have asked the same question: what is the purpose of human life? Hundreds of thousands have joined Freemasonry over the years in hopes of learning an answer, but have learned that the Craft returns them to their churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to seek more knowledge. As a candidate passes through the degrees of Masonry, he is informed that true knowledge is never to be found in one place. A man must search everywhere there is knowledge to understand his relationship with the Great Architect.

During that search, it is like that the inquiring mind will, sooner or later, stumble across the teachings of Origen, who lived, wrote and instructed between 185 A.D. and 254 A.D. At one period in Christian history, Origen was regarded as the most accurate of all interpreters about the human soul. Although later discarded by the Church as a heretic, he originally taught that souls repeat themselves in material incarnation – a teaching that now is termed reincarnation. Origen believed that each human being contained a spark of the Creator that had no beginning and no end. In his literary work entitled De Principils, Origen wrote: “Every soul…comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of the previous life. Its place in this world as a vessel appointed to honor or dishonor, is determined by its previous merits or demerits. Its work in this world determines its place in the world which is to follow.”

Without either accepting or rejecting reincarnation, Freemasonry makes a similar demand of its members about how each should live the life given them. Masons are called to live spiritually strong lives; not lives weakened by self-centeredness. When Pike wrote that every man had a work to do, he challenged every Mason to not only make the best of the circumstances in which he found himself, but to do so by serving others. Pray for others, feed the hungry, give to the poor, lavish love upon your neighbor and provide for the spiritual growth of your family – it is these that Masonry inculcates into the hearts and souls of the honored members of the Craft.

The acacia reminds us that while our lives are not limited by time, our material existence is time-controlled. No man knows how much time he has, but he should know that time is running out. If a good work is to be done during this lifetime, it must be done today, for tomorrow is in God’s hands. While we breathe, stand, walk and talk we may do something that improves the lot of our brethren. When time shall be no more, that work will be done by those left behind and we ourselves shall give no more. Though life shall always continue beyond man’s earthly existence, man’s loving, giving and sharing with others will cease when he shall return to the earth and his soul to God, who gave it.

A Shade Loving, Early Blooming Perennial

Through the years a variety of plants have come to be called “Christmas Rose”; they are all steeped in a legend that dates back centuries. Most frequently, the plant Americans associate with the Christmas Rose legend is the hellebore.

In late winter the first plants to bloom in my garden are the Christmas hellebores – often first appearing when there is still snow on the ground. Their blooms and evergreen foliage brighten the winter garden and offer a hint of the spring to come. Native to much of Europe, hellebores were grown in Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia as early as 1793 and today it seems that gardeners can’t get enough of them. Over the past decade, plant breeders have created many new hybrids of the latter blooming Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis). Now they have started to work their magic upon the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger).

The Christmas Rose Legend

“Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,” said the angel, “is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses.” These the shepherd maiden carries to Jesus, who smiles broadly and touches them, turning them pale pink.

Double Fantasy Christmas Rose Gift Offer

This year we have the brand new double Christmas Rose – ‘Double Fantasy’ that will make a lovely and thoughtful gift. ‘Double Fantasy’ features pure white, ruffled blooms with several rows of petals that look even more like true roses. They “pop” against the evergreen dark green foliage. ‘Double Fantasy’ can be kept in the house and planted in the garden in the spring. It will look lovely under deciduous trees, next to shady patios or courtyard gardens. Be sure to plant your Christmas Rose up close, so you can enjoy its beautiful blooms in mid-winter. ‘Double Fantasy’ provides a pleasant textural diversion in a bed of hostas, or in a mixed border. And, deer do not eat hellebores.

Planting and Care

‘Double Fantasy’ is permanent and easy to grow. It matures into a mound of evergreen leaves ultimately almost three feet wide and 18-24 inches high and lasts for decades. In most North American climates, where the soil freezes, a winter thaw will bring the much appreciated floral display.