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by Maria Hubert
(1945-2007)
CHECK HERE FOR CHRISTMAS
INFORMATION & FACTS
verything you need to know about Christmas is here! .
In Memoriam
Countess Maria Hubert von Staufer
Well known Christmas writer and broadcaster Maria Hubert von Staufer; the Monmouth based author of many books including ‘Wartime Christmas’, ‘Jane Austen’s Christmas’, and Shakespeare’s Christmas’, died in a Spanish hospital following surgery in 2007. She was throughout the eighties and early nineties a popular guest on both Radio & TV including many appearances on BBC Radio Wales.
In recent years she was to be found alternating between voluntary work for clergy internationally and maintaining a non commercial website www.christmasarchives.org which has enjoyed over two million visitors in the run in to Christmas.
Please visit and enjoy the pages she prepared for your enjoyment ...
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See the Table of Contents for a look at the structure of this web site. It can be reached from every web page by using the "Table of Contents" button that appears at the left of each page.
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If you are searching for a particular topic or interest, use the Search to locate related pages. |
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ALL ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS ARCHIVES & THE COUNTESS MARIA Read all about Maria's work as a Christmas historian and what the Christmas Archives are, and how you can help fill the archives with your own accounts of Christmas.
- POLISH CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND CUSTOMS Here you can read an extended account of the Polish carols arranged by Kazimierz Hubert. Also, an introduction to the beautiful Christmas music of Poland. Links to many other Polish carols and to many Polish sites.
- A HUNGARIAN CHRISTMAS Here you can read a reminiscence of a Hungarian Christmas by June Meyer and her recipe for poppyseed cake.
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CHRISTMAS IN MALLORCA A little different from the Christmas in Spain sites, though there are some of the very best links to genuine Spanish sites which will tell you about Christmas in Spain in Spanish and in English. There is also an excellent link to a Catalan site which is an educational site related to the Crib. Mallorca (or Majorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. The culture is old and has many different traditions to the rest of Spain. They speak Mallorquin which is similar to Catalan. This page will tell you all about Christmas on the Island, particularly about La Sibil.la, a very ancient custom held on the 6th January. You can also try making delicious Turron from the recipe there. You can also find out something about how the CATALANS spend Christmas. In English, Castillian and Mallorquin/Catalan.
COLLECTORS OF THE WORLD. Here also is a site link you MUST visit! The Collectors Club of Mallorca has attracted members from all over the world, and you can find and swap anything. Find it on the Christmas in Mallorca pages. - CHRISTMAS IN EGYPT. the Coptic Christmas follows the old calendar, and takes place on the 6th of January. The Coptic Church is Catholic. It was founded by St Mark who spent much time in Egypt, and it is said that he wrote his Gospel there.
- THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT. For two thousand years the Holy Sites in Egypt have been visited by pilgrims from both East and West. Maria and Andrew followed the route traditionally taken by the Holy Family after their flight into Egypt. Read their account, and discover how you can make a unique pilgrimage Following in the footsteps. Or even to Mount Sinai -or both!
- COUNTESS MARIA'S CHRISTMAS BOOKS Read Maria's own books about Christmas - available through the Internet Bookshop and Amazon.com from this site. Reviews and sample chapters from her books for you to print up and sample at your leisure - recommend for cosy winters evenings!
- GREAT BRITISH CHRISTMAS England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, including the off-shore islands. Here you can read about their customs, traditions and foods.
- A BEDTIME STORY. An exclusive short story written by Countess Maria especially for her webpage visitors. You may print this one up for bedtime reading - recommended for a cosy winters evening! Copyright. May not be used, copied or posted elsewhere on the Net without written permission from Maria Hubert von Staufer
- CRIB FRIENDS ON THE NET Crib Friends, Krippenfreund, Amis de la Creche, Pessebristas...wherever in the world you hail from this site will delight you. Links to Creche sites all over the world.
- CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE A different approach to the history of the Christmas Tree. Starting with early references and legends in the 7th century, this page looks at how the Christmas Tree has evolved, every era is illustrated with fine old engravings.
- CHRISTMAS IN THE 21st CENTURY Started for the Millennium, this site is under construction. In the years to come, it will be a complete history of the evolution of Christmas in thumbnail sketches, illustrations, accounts of personal recollections and links to other sites. This site will build up to be a complete reference of Christmas, done as a sort of Web dictionary or encyclopedia. It will be under construction for the next two years, and will then stay put as a researchers resource, and as with any good dictionary, will be updated .
- CHRISTMAS ACCOUNTS FROM HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS This page complements 'Christmas in the 21st Century' by filling in the details for those wanting a serious look at the history of Christmas in the context of the Christian Church, via carefully researched and translated manuscripts and documents from libraries, private collections and church sources
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WORLD CHRISTMAS TOUR ROUND THE INTERNET
This page links you to other Christmas sites - why is this different? Hopefully our tour will take you to places you have never visited before. Visit sites which will tell you about the customs of the peoples of that country, visit tourist sites and sample the pleasures of Christmas holidays, do some Christmas shopping on the Net, join in some Christmas music... its all here waiting for you at the click of your button. - THE NATIVITY ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT TRADITIONS: The Quoran (Islam)
- CHRISTMAS AT HOME. Or do you prefer a cosy CHRISTMAS AT HOME? Make some cookies (biscuits, as we in England call them) following the old English recipe given, settle down with a cup of hot malted milk, and follow these links.
- ADOREMUS. An annotated collection of links to Christmas music, worship, and celebration around the world.
- CHRISTMAS LEGENDS. A new feature, which begins with the story of the first Christmas Tree Lights.
- THE SEARCH FOR THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. Can you enjoy Christmas without spending a fortune on plastic, and regretting it the rest of the year?
- CHRISTMAS ARCHIVES PHOTOLIBRARY. The Christmas Archives is delighted to offer from the internationally known Christmas Archives Photo Library.
For anyone who likes Christmas and all its customs, but does not share the Christian beliefs, please read on, you will find everything here relating to British Christmas social customs and traditions.
For those who enjoy the whole of Christmas with its Christian elements, this site will please you too, especially when I get all the links sorted out! You can also find out about Christmas Markets, Christmas Cribs and see lots of lovely pictures there, with links to the other sites. The Polishworld Site has so many fantastic links, many to religious pages and pictures of the unique Polish Creche, the SZOPKA.
The Delphi Forums are where you have a chance to have your say and invite comment. We naturally ask that your comments are politely put! Rude comments will be removed! Other than that be as honest as you like.
At present Christmas Archives have several discussions and Polls running where you can state your views for all to see. Currently being promoted are discussions about the Crèche of Bethlehem, where you can find out more, ask those questions you are not sure about, or exchange stories about the Crèche.
Another which asks 'Is Christmas Commercialism good or bad?' and invites your opinions - and dont for get to say WHY you feel the way you do.
A gentle discussion remembering Christmas in the 1950's - share your nostalgic memories with us and give us all a warm toasty feeling!
A Poll which asks how you feel about Christmas with five carefully selected questions to help us assess the current feeling.
Follow the links, and be ready to login with your own password to join this most interesting Forum
IF YOU HAVE A CHRISTMAS INFORMATION TO SHARE:
If you have a background from one of the countries of the British Isles, and you have a custom not listed here, I would be delighted to hear about it.
If you would like to share information about Christmas or join the discussion of Christmas resources, history, and web sites, please consider posting messages in my Christmas Archives Message Board, hosted by Delphi.com Forums. A brief registration is required along with your e-mail address, but all personal information will remain private. It is not available to advertisers or other Delphi members.
Here are some of my favorite sites. You will find many more in the linked pages listed above:
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Delphi Forums |
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Polishworld Christmas |
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Internet Bookshop in the UK for christmas books. |
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on the Net for xmas books |
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Christmasmarket Marketplace |
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The Mining Co Urban Legends |
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Santa's 50 Faves |
I have to confess to those who have been complimenting me on my skills in producing a great site, that I have not been alone in this! As a writer, I have all the creative skills of the best of 'em - but even the best are nothing without their editors. I think I have found a really great editor to help me design and upload my page. A Web Specialist from the States, Walt Howe. My grateful thanks and acknowledgement to a skilful web designer and a great guy.
You can pay a visit to his site and find out more about Walt and his charming family at Walt's Internet Learning Center.
Please visit our companion site R3: Cymru, which helps military veterans ease the transition back to civilian life. This is a needed service for veterans and deserves your support at Christmas time or any time during the year.
