Create an Herbal Christmas

By Teresa Opdycke

The magical days of Christmas filled with excitement and wonder for the wee ones begins with writing a letter to the jolly old elf.  Bright bows adorn packages beneath the tree, carols of good cheer ring out everywhere, and people wishing, “Merry Christmas!” to passersby brings smiles to faces.  If keeping the traditions of Christmas alive are a part of your holiday desires include herbs to help relate the stories of the meaning behind Christmas.

 

Herbs for the Crèche

Whether you call it a crèche or a manger scene, putting up the small figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds and wise men tells the story of the very first Christmas.  Instead of using just straw look into the legends of herbs and create a scene with aromatic herbs that bring a new twist to the ancient story.  Place the stable in your favorite location and then begin by scattering manger herbs all about. These are the herbs associated with the birth of the baby Jesus and his mother, Mary. 

 
1. Our Lady’s Bedstraw – a fine feathery herb with a golden cast.  The herb of protection, this herb was placed in the manger to soften the straw.  Plant it in the spring and snip off sprigs to dry for manger herbs or purchase from an herbal supplier.

2. Thyme – the tiny herb of courage comes in many varieties from lemon scented to wooly to creeping thymes. Snip off stems and add to the bedstraw for a fragrant reminder of the courage of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

3. Rosemary – beautiful, aromatic and elegant.  The legend tells that as the Holy family fled Egypt all around them bushes crackled, except one…rosemary.  Rosemary remained silent. Known as the herb of remembrance, another legend states that Mary placed her cloak over a rosemary shrub and the flowers turned a lovely blue to match the mantle.   

4. Lavender – a beloved herb of Mary, lavender is always willing to share its wondrous scent with anyone passing by.  As the herb of cleanliness, purity and virtue, include buds of purple lavender in the manger. 

5. Rue – with its beautiful blue-green foliage should be a part of the manger herb potpourri.  The herb of grace, Rue symbolizes virtue, driving away all that is evil. 

6. Our Lady’s Mantle – a soft lime green in color is said to be shaped like Mary’s mantle with scallops around the edge.  Drops of dew glistening like diamond tears on the fine hairs of Lady’s mantle leaves. Dry or press a few of the leaves to use in the manger scene.

 

Gifts of the Magi Potpourri

The three wise men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, kneeled at the crib of the baby Jesus bearing gifts.  Recreate the gifts of the Magi in a potpourri filled with simple symbolism.  You’ll need to make or purchase small sachet bags.  The Magi were elegant and wealthy, so make the sachet bags of fine satin, rich brocade or tapestry in regal colors.  Tie closed with gold cord.  The potpourri follows:   

1. Frankincense tears – a resin that flows in drops from trees in Yemen, East Africa, and the Red Sea Countries.  Balthazar offered his gift of frankincense, often used in religious ceremonies and symbolized prayer and sacrifice.

2.  Myrrh – an aromatic gum, myrrh was believed to strengthen children. The wise man, Melchior brought the baby Jesus the gift of myrrh.

3. Gold – use gold glitter stars to represent the gift of gold that Caspar offered to the babe in the manger as well as the star of Bethlehem that they followed to find the manger.

 

Place the gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the beautiful sachet bags, and offer as gifts to holiday visitors.  Open to release the luxurious fragrances of exotic lands. 

 

As you tell the story of the three wise men be sure to add that the magi did not make their way to the stable until the twelfth day after the birth of Jesus which is known as Epiphany.

 

An Herbal Advent Wreath

This craft uses all kinds of evergreens and fresh herbs that symbolize various Christmas concepts. 
You’ll need: 

 

1. 1 wire wreath box-style frame 14 or 15 inch
2. Oasis, soaked in water and cut to fit frame,
3. A mix of greens: boxwood, white pine, yew, juniper, cedar, holly, ivy
4. Cuttings of rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage, costmary, and horehound. 
5. 12 fresh pink rose buds or use dried pink ones.  Dried purple statice, globe amaranth, or strawflowers in pinks and shades of lavender and purple. 
6. Advent candles or any color candles of your choice (5)  Each candle represents one of the following sentiments:  Hope, peace, joy, love, and the light of Christ candle lit on Christmas night. The last candle can be a pillar candle placed in the center of the ring. 4 or 5 candle sockets. 
7. Ribbon in deep purple and pink if you’re following the traditional color of advent candles.

 

Lay the frame on a large plate or platter; you’ll need to water and spritz the wreath throughout the holidays so it will last.  Begin inserting 6” – 8”sprigs of greens randomly around the outside edge of the wreath. Push smaller pieces into the inside edge.  Create tiny bundles of greens and the various herbs and insert on the top of the wreath.  Be sure to use lots of herbs on top and you can use them around the sides, too, if you have plenty.  Cut and insert the pink rosebuds around each candle adding bits of purple statitce, globe amaranth, or spikes of lavender.  The wreath will be quite full and should look elegant.  Place the candles in the sockets.  Holding both colors of ribbon at the same time, make a bow leaving long streamers that will fall over the edge of a small table or mantle for each candle.  You don’t have to use the colors of the advent, if the sentiments are represented by red and white they symbolism of the herbs and greens still tell the story.

 

Herbs, ancient plants from exotic places, have come down through ages graced with legend and lore.  This year celebrate the holidays by adding symbolism to your decorating.  Incorporate herbs into various aspects of your celebration adding life to the stories of the birth of Christ. 

© Doityourself.com 2006