sanctimonious
Self-righteous and holier-than-thou.
blue-blooded
Belonging to the upper crust of society; a member of a socially prominent family.
vicariously
Gaining a sense of excitement of accomplishment for yourself through the actions of others.
dogmatic
Inflexibly loyal to a strict and rigid doctrine of beliefs.
frugality
The practice of being thrifty with spending money to the point of intelligent financial management, but stopping short of outright miserliness.
deprivation
A state of deficiency and scarcity of essential resources.
poignant
Emotionally touching without the manipulative aspects capable of turning sentimentality into sappy melodrama.
Magi
Collective term for the three wise men of Biblical myth who followed a bright star in the sky to cross vast expanses of land to witness the birth of Jesus and offer him rare and precious gifts.
shrouded
Concealed or disguised behind a veil.
baubles
Pretty, shiny decorative trinkets.
immaculate
In a pristine state; without blemish or stain.
permeated
Having been utterly and totally saturated.
vernacular
The specific meaning of words that make up the vocabulary of a specific group of culture.
Nativity scene
A creative representation of the setting at the time of the birth of Jesus as described in scripture.
pungent
An overpowering scent or odor, though not necessarily one that is unpleasant or offensive.
vertigo
A comprehensive and intense loss of equilibrium, balance and lightedness that often accompanies a negative sensory reaction to being at a great height, but is not inherent related to it.
demurely
Done in a reticent and humble manner suggestive of a modest and shy personality.
manifestation
The revelation of the embodiment of an abstract idea or the physical appearance of a person or thing.
matriculate
Enrolled at a college or university.
compulsion
An impulse to do something so strong that it is almost impossible to reject and prevent.
revel
To carouse in celebration; to dwell within the emotions of experiencing great pleasure at something that has happened.
piety
A genuine devotion to virtue and faith.
