I’ll be taking a blogging break for the holidays, so I’ll leave you with this gift (that I first posted three years ago) from Alice Paak (Richard) DeKorn to one of her children, possibly her daughter Cora, my great-grandmother. What a family and genealogy treasure–now 109 years old.
1907
Merry Xmas
from
MOTHER
In case you’re wondering about the use of the word “Xmas” instead of “Christmas,” this is what Wikipedia has to say:
There is a common belief that the word Xmas stems from a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas”, but its use dates back to the 16th century.
I’m sure that this was just a way to fit it all on the tiny shell. What a lot of work to paint and letter this shell. I wonder if she made three, one for each of her children.
The Family Kalamazoo 
All the best to ypu too. I think xmas uses Greek x an abbreviation for Christ
Yes, I think it did come from Greek! Thank you, Barb!
This is such a special heirloom! Thanks for sharing it here! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you so much, Andy!
Oh by the way, when I was in college many moons ago we were taught in taking notes, in my religious studies, to use X for Christ and Xtn for Christian and Xty for Christianity.
Interesting! I’ve heard so many people criticize the use of the X as being sacrilegious, but I guess they don’t understand the origins!
My Dad was a big critique of the X. I used to be until I went to college. Perhaps your other commenter is right about its origin.
I checked it out and it is from the Greek!
Great! Now we can tell others its meaning. Not negative as thought. Thanks Luanne! Merry Christmas!
Xmas comes as an attempt to abbreviate Christmas by beginning with the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. Merry Xmas!
From Xristos.
Yes, I checked it out, and you are right! Have a wonderful Christmas, Ivan!
The shell is amazing. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Merry Christmas! I look forward to your return in 2017.
Thank you, Sheryl, for the kind words about the shell and my return :). Merry Christmas to you!
What an incredible gift–so much care and love must have gone into that. Have a great break! And happy holidays, with and without an X! 🙂
Yes, I like to imagine her making it! She died less than a year later, sadly.
Cherish it, as I am sure you!
Definitely!
Merry Christmas to you! A lovely gift to treasure!
Merry Christmas! and thank you so much for your comment about this wonderful family heirloom.
oh wow! how beautiful!
I think so, too :)! Thank you!
All the best in 2017, Luanne!
Thank you, Patti! The same to you and yours!
Beautiful shell art!
Thanks, WJ! Yes, I think it’s a pretty amazing treasure!
That is so nice. I am glad you shared it with your readers. I value my priceless heirlooms so I understand how important this gift is to you and your family.
Thank you so much. We are blessed to have these mementoes of past lives!