Most believe the O Antiphons were first used in the 500s (that’s more than 1,500 years ago!). The hymn, first written in Latin, was in use as early as 800 AD. If you take the first letter of each name for Christ (in the original Latin), starting with Emmanuel, they spell ERO CRAS, which means, “Tomorrow, I will be there.” Bring the O Antiphons to life with DIY luminaries!

The 12 Days of Christmas, which begin on Christmas Day, end on 12th Night, the eve of Epiphany. Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. The celebration principally commemorates the visit of the Magi to Baby Jesus, which is Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Use this guide to discover Epiphany and to celebrate with a 12th Night Party complete with a menu and White Elephant Gift Exchange!

We structured our book, The Joy of Advent, around the Jesse Tree. With 25 symbols, and another 12 for the Twelve Days of Christmas, how do you display them beautifully, memorably, and meaningfully? Read on for inspiration and for a printable list of all the Jesse Tree figures!

St. Nicholas Day, observed on December 6th, celebrates the life of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint known for his acts of generosity. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated worldwide, but is most popular in Western Europe. Many of our beloved traditions originated in Germany and surrounding countries. Read on to discover recipes, activities and more.

Have you ever wanted your Christmas to be MORE? More meaningful, more simple, more engaging for the varied ages of your kids? Use Joy of Advent to enrich your Advent and Christmas season! Plus find out about our new printable Jesse Tree Ornaments!

Discover how one family’s sudden unemployment led to a Christmas tradition they continue to this day! Plus, find ideas for easy, homemade Christmas gifts sure to delight.

Discover the history behind Longfellow’s famous poem that became one of our most beloved Christmas Carols, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

“As I reflect all the years back, I believe it to be about December of 1935. It had been a cold winter, and we lived in a little four-room house. It was one of the best things that came in a small package. Money was as scarce as hen's teeth, but there was a lot of love in that home.” Near-centennial, Marion Westra, shares a holiday memory and a family favorite recipe: Easy Cranberry Relish.

Walk through Lent with Joy with this printable Lent calendar for kids and adults.

Those of you who are familiar with Lent and what it’s all about will understand why the title: Walk Through Lent with Joy, is surprising.

Lent is a time of penance and repentance, of fasting, of giving up joy … isn’t it?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

—James 1:2-3

Explore the history of the most iconic Christmas flower—the poinsettia.

Every Christmas, poinsettias sit in pots trimmed with foil. But in their native habitats along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, some wild cousins of these holiday decorations can grow to a height of thirteen feet or more. That’s why gardeners in subtropical regions around the world can shape and trim poinsettias to become hedges, shrubs, or even small trees. With the proper care, every poinsettia could grow up to be a bush of some kind as long as the ambient temperatures stay above…