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Jingle bells make good snowmen

By Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, Source: MCT News Service

Most people believe the date chosen by early Christian leaders to celebrate Jesus' birth coincides with the Roman midwinter festival of Saturnalia. They believe people would adopt a new festival on a day they were already accustomed to celebrating.

But according to Biblical Archeology Review, the Bible gives us very few clues as to why the majority of Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ on Dec. 25.

Today, more and more scholars believe that Christ was actually born in the spring. We always celebrate Easter, the day Christians believe Christ ascended into Heaven, on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Since there is much written in the way of biblical references to Christ's death and little recorded in the Bible of his birth, we have no real way to determine the exact day Christ was born in Bethlehem.

But for Christians, the actual date of Jesus' birth is not as important as the meaning of the holiday. What is important is that for the past 1,500 years, the benchmark for recorded history is divided into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D., which is Latin for "anno Domini." It means "in the year of the Lord," the time of the Christian era.

But like many of you, it wouldn't matter when we celebrate Christmas, I would still run out of time before it arrives.

This jingle bell snowman ornament is a great last-minute Christmas gift and can be personalized for each of your friends. It makes an excellent gift for teachers and would work well as an inexpensive group craft. I found this craft at www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/jingle-bell-snowman.html on the Web.

     Supplies you will need for each ornament:
     1 1/2-inch jingle bell (colored looks best).
     1 1/2-inch soft marshmallow bead.
     2 small (5 mm) wiggle eyes.
     2 1/2-inch pompoms.
     Chenille stem.
     Fine-tip markers for face.
     Scissors.
     Thick white craft glue.

Cut the pipe cleaner into two 3-inch sections. Take one section and poke it through the side of the marshmallow bead.

Wrap the pipe cleaner around the top of the bead, as shown, and poke it through the other side to attach securely. This is going to be the strap to the snowman's earmuffs.

Take the next pipe cleaner and fold it in half to create a loop. Cut it down to appropriate size if necessary and pierce it through the top of the bead, near the earmuff strap. This will be the loop from which to hang an ornament hook.

Add the face by gluing on some wiggle eyes and then use some fine-tip markers to draw on some facial features.

Apply some glue to each side of the pompoms and glue in place on the side of the head over the earmuff straps.

Next, add a liberal amount of glue to the top of the jingle bell and press the marshmallow head on top of the bell. Allow to dry well.

Finish the jingle bell ornament by tying a small amount of chenille or ribbon around the head and the bell for the scarf. Glue into place if necessary.

The ornament can also be personalized with a paint pen.

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(If you have a craft idea or question, contact Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; 330-996-3565; or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.)

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     (c)2011 the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)
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      PHOTO (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): kidskrafts