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christmas
Christian
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i s t o r y
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Though the approach of the holiday
season begins as early as Halloween, its highlight is no doubt
Christmas. The origins of the holiday are most likely from the various
winter solstice celebrations that were commonplace during Christianity's
early days. The exact date of Jesus Christ's birth has never been
established, and though his birth is the main reason for the celebration
of Christmas, the timing was chosen to coincide with other popular
holidays of the season, such as the Roman Saturnalia festival and the
Persian commemoration of the birth of Mithra, called Sol Invictus
(Unconquerable Sun), both of which have a substantial connection to the
winter solstice. In fact the winter solstice, being the shortest day of
the year and marking the beginning of increasing daylight in the
northern hemisphere, where the holiday originated, and thus the
approaching end of winter, has a tangible role in the development of
Christmas as a holiday, including all the references to light, which are
frequently manifested in the form of Jesus or the way of life
illuminated and encouraged by God. Christmas Eve is the culmination of
the Advent, the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas observed
in honor of the birth of Christ. With the arrival of Christmas Eve, the
preparations for the holiday are finally complete, and as described in
the first several lines of Clement C. Moore's infamous poem The Night
Before Christmas: "…when all through the house/ Not a creature
was stirring, not even a mouse." In fact, it was this poem that
formed the identity of a character Christmas would not have been the
same without – Santa Claus. The inspiration for the jolly, round old
man who leaves his home on the North Pole for a single night to deliver
gifts to children around the world was St. Nicholas, a bishop in Myra,
Turkey. One of the legends involving Nicholas is how he saved three
young girls whose father had suffered some financial trouble from a life
of prostitution by visiting their home at night for three successive
nights and throwing a ball of gold through an open window. The
connection between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus is apparent, including
the derivation one's name from the other and the colors of their
clothing – clerical robes are traditionally red and white. December
25th was decided upon as the date of Christmas by church elders in 400
C.E. and was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the Christian world
by the ninth century. The exception, Greek churches did not switch their
observance schedule to the Gregorian calendar and continue to celebrate
Christmas on January 6th.
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r a d i t i o n s
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Depending on the local and family
traditions, some people exchange gifts on Christmas Eve rather than
Christmas morning. However, for most people, especially children,
Christmas Eve is a night of anticipation for the morning ahead. The
stockings are hung up by the fireplace and filled with goodies, a fire
is lit, carols are sung, and neighbors are congratulated with the coming
holiday. The shopping has been done, the Christmas tree has been
decorated, and the food for the next day's festivities is ready for its
preparation. This night is set aside to spend a relaxing, quiet evening
with one's family and friends, perhaps reading out loud, playing with
the children, and any other activities that befit this special evening
and set the mood for the day of celebration to come. The traditions of
Christmas revolve around familiar symbols such as the Christmas tree,
candles and other objects exuding light, and of course, Santa Claus. It
is a time that families separated by location, responsibilities, and
other circumstances come together to enjoy the holiday and one another's
company. The early morning ritual of exchanging gifts between family
members, loved ones, and co-workers is a custom that, despite its
novelty to the holiday's long history, has dramatically changed how it
is viewed. Because of its commercial appeal, Christmas has ceased to be
a strictly religious holiday and has brought many converts to its
celebration that do not necessarily consider themselves Christians.
However, as is proven by the many nativity-themed decorations that are
displayed outside homes around the world, the religious roots of the
observance are not forgotten. The use of evergreens such as the
Christmas tree, the poinsettia, and the mistletoe, especially in the
form of a wreath symbolic of the continuity of life, emphasize the value
of maintaining one's faith and the need to look toward the future even
during the winter's darkest day.
see
some great cards to send for this holiday |
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