Happy Birthday JC!

Happy birthday JC! That's right I'm talking about Christmas, this year Jesus turns 2008 years old (or there abouts) and doesn't he look fantastic for his age! We are aware what the true meaning of Christmas is, it is a time for Jesus Christ to be born again in our hearts and our souls. We take this time of year to celebrate with loved ones and remember the good times that we've had over the past year. Many of you may be thinking, "is he just going to ramble on about things we already know?" Let me get to the point, if you are like me you wonder where traditions came from and how things got started. Why do we go around putting pine trees in our living rooms (seemingly a place where pine trees do not belong), whats up with the candy cane, why do we hang pieces of a pine tree on our doors and call it a wreath, and why oh why do we go nuts, jack up our electrical bills, and decorate our houses in so many lights you could see it from space. Hopefully I can attempt to answer some of these questions.

Whats up with the fir tree in the living room?

The origin of the "Christmas Tree" is highly debated. There is a legend that our protestant brother Martin Luther brought the first Christmas tree into his home. However its just a legend, there really isn't enough evidence to support the story. However, the people that we can credit with setting up the first Christmas tree are the Germans. The earliest record of a fir tree being used as decoration for Christmas is 1521. The German tradition grew in popularity over the years into what we have today. So what is the fir tree supposed to symbolize? Here are some answers that I found:

1. The Christmas tree is triangular shaped symbolizing the trinity
2. The Christmas tree points up to heaven reminding us of our focus for the season
3. The color of the Christmas tree is green symbolizing life
4. The needles on the tree grow upward like hands praising God
5. The lights on the tree symbolize Heaven, and the gifts we place under the tree symbolize charity and love

What's up with the wreath?

The origin of the Christmas wreath is unknown, however there is evidence of pagan religions using wreathes of holly for magical protective powers. Us Christians like to look at the wreath from a symbolic stance, Christmas wreaths are typically made of evergreen which is green symbolizing life, its circular shape represents the idea of eternity, or the unending circle of life. When holly is used in a Christmas wreath it has some meaning as well. Holly has thorns, representing the crown of thorns Christ wore during his crusifixtion, they are also red representing the blood he shed for us.

What's the story behind the candy cane?

There are many legends behind the meaning of the candy cane. One of the most popular is that the candy cane was created by a candy maker in Indiana, the shape of the candy cane was to represent a shepherds staff (Jesus is our shepherd) or to represent the letter "J" for Jesus. The red on the candy cane was to represent the blood Christ shed for us. This is one of the many legends that are out there about the candy cane, and one that I like. Truth is that again there really isn't much evidence out there as to the true meaning of the candy cane, one thing is for certain - the idea that a candy maker in Indiana created the candy cane is indeed false, as historians have found references to the candy cane long before there was an Indiana. As a symbol the candy cane is open to interpretation, I would like to think there is some Christian meaning behind it.

Why do people "Griswold" (put an abundance of Christmas lights on their house) their homes for the holidays?

The "Griswold" reference refers to Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation movie ... I digress, let's go back to Germany where we saw our first Christmas tree. When they first started decorating Christmas trees they would place candles on the tree to illuminate it (doesn't that seem like a fire waiting to happen) . Fast-forward to 1882 and we see Edward Johnson inventing the first string of Christmas lights (Mr. Johnson worked under Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb) and decorating a tree in New York with them. In 1900, large department stores started decorating their store fronts with strands of Christmas lights to attract customers. With the realization that candles and open flame probably weren't the best idea for decorations people began the switch to electric Christmas lights.

And then there was this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD4g0gmQSLk ... show off

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a joyous new year ... see you all next year at B.A.S.I.C.

This Weekend @ B.A.S.I.C.

Greetings All! I hope that everyone is having a fantastic Monday morning. This weekend was a busy one with the B.A.S.I.C. crew. We had several great activities that went on. On Friday night we had another installment in our Coffee House series. Our speaker was Fr. John from St Mary's of Orchard Lake. Our discussion focused on what is the meaning of advent. We covered topics ranging from the history of advent, the history of the advent wreath, and why do we have the pink candle (or dusty rose as Fr. Mark likes to say). If you were unable to make the coffee house and are curious as to the answers to these questions, just ask!

Our Saturday started bright and early with the service project at St. Jude's. It was a truly phenomenal experience. We sorted clothes and food for those that are less fortunate then us and of course we had fun in the process. St. Jude's appreciated our help and appreciated us being there so much that they have extended an open invitation for us to come back and help out anytime. Once we were done at St. Jude's we came back to the church for the December Lunch 'n Learn, this months topic was Social Justice and Charity. We had great discussion and amazing soup and chili. A special thanks to Barney and Marianne for organizing the service project, and a huge special thank you to all the moms that put the "lunch" in Lunch 'n Learn by providing the chicken noodle soup and chili.

We ended our weekend on a good note with the B.A.S.I.C. night on Sunday. The night was titled "Schedule This" and we focused on practical ways that we can included God into our every day lives. We had some really great discussion on this topic and had a great time.

Some things to keep in mind that are coming up really quick:

TONIGHT is the Monday Night Praise and Worship
This THURSDAY is the Sounds of Christmas Concert
There is still time to sign up for the ski trip, slips are due WEDNESDAY
Bible Study hosted by JT and Barney is going to be starting over Christmas break, check the B.A.S.I.C. board for more information
Rainbow Registration packets are now available, pick them up on the B.A.S.I.C. board or get them from Dave ... Rainbow is a great time I encourage you all to think about going

Sunday December 21 is the B.A.S.I.C. Christmas Party!! Bring your friends, all of them, this is a Pajama Party so wear your most festive Christmas pajamas, or your fanciest footy pajamas, polk-a-dots, stripes, cowboys and indians, and pajamas of all colors are welcome as well.

I hope everyone has a great week, and hope to see you all real soon!

ADVENT: Why the Pink candle?

Friday, Dec. 12 @ 7:00p
at Cafe Zuzu

Fr. John Kiselica from Orchard Lake St. Mary will be leading an open discussion on the history of Advent, is relevance to us today and why we celebrate this season.

Come join us for an open mic, a great discussion, lots of friends and great food and drinks provided by Cafe Zuzu.

[Cafe Zuzu is located on the Northwest corner of the Rochester Rd and Long Lake intersection]

SERVICE PROJECT and LUNCH 'n Learn
Saturday, December 13, 2008
7:30a - 2:00p

We are traveling down to St. Jude's Food Pantry and Outreach Center on the East Side of Detroit to put in some service hours and offer the gift of our time and labor to help St. Jude's reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.

After we work down at St. Jude's we will return to St. Anastasia for Lunch and a discussion on Social Justice (or ways to change/fix the many injustices we see in our world!

You must have a permission slip to participate in this event. You can print one off by clicking on the link provided on the column on the right side of this blog [look under "downloadable forms"]

Holy Day of Obligation

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
THIS Monday, December 8th

Mass offered at 9:30a and 7:00p

This is the day we recognize Mary's conception without sin. This is why we say "Full of Grace" in the Hail Mary because Mary was conceived without sin. So we celebrate her Immaculate Conception as the day salvation is a possibility for us once again.