What is Christmas?

Christmas Day began as a Christian joy celebrating the birth of Jesus, but it also shifted into a secular family holiday celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians in the early 1900s. The historical character Santa Claus plays a central role in the spiritual holiday

History of Christmas:

Christmas, which falls on December 25, is a global cultural and commercial phenomenon in addition to a revered religious holiday. People have been celebrating it with customs and rituals that are both religious and secular for the past two thousand years. Christmas Day is a celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a religious figure whose teachings serve as the foundation of Christianity. Gift-giving, tree-decorating, church attendance, meal-sharing with loved ones, and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive are all common customs. Since 1870, December 25, also known as Christmas Day, has been an official holiday in the United States.which frequently lacks any Christian elements.

Does Christmas Actually Mark the Day of Jesus’ Birth?

Aster was the primary holiday in the early years of Christianity; the birth of Jesus was not observed. Church authorities made the decision to declare the birth of Jesus as a holiday in the fourth century. Regretfully, Puritans later cited this fact to dispute the celebration’s validity because the Bible omits his birthdate. Pope Julius I selected December 25, despite some evidence pointing to a possible spring birth date (why would farmers be guiding in the middle of winter?). It is generally accepted that the church selected this date in an attempt to absorb and adopt the customs of the pagan Saturnalia celebration. Originally known as the Feast of the Nativity, Egypt adopted the tradition of Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century.

When the Holidays Were Postponed of Christmas

Christmas customs in Europe were changed by a wave of religious reform in the early 17th century. Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan army abolished Christmas as part of their mission to purge England of decadence after seizing power in 1645. Charles II was brought back to the rule by popular demand, and the popular holiday returned with him.Christmas and other English traditions were obsolete following the revolution in America. Christmas was actually not accepted as a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Facts about Christmas:

• When Christmas Occurred IN the United States alone, 25–30 million real Christmas trees are sold annually. In the US, there are roughly 15,000 Christmas tree farms, and trees are typically grown for four to fifteen years before being sold.
• Christmas celebrations in the Middle Ages were boisterous and raucous, much like these annual events are today.
• On June 26, 1870, Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States.
• In Captain John Smith’s Jamestown settlement in 1607, the nation’s first eggnog was consumed.
• The Rockefeller Tower Christmas tree tradition was established in 1931 by construction workers.
• However, there are many more Christmas characters in the globe besides Santa! For instance, it is said that a good witch by the name of Befana travels the country on a walking stick bringing toys to kids! In addition, children in the island set their shoes under the window for the Christmas Lads, a group of 13 petty trolls. If the child has behaved well, sweets will be waiting for them in their shoe; if not, the Yule lads will leave them with a rotten potato.

The different ways that Christmas is celebrated worldwide

 Christmas Trees:

Christmas trees were first popularized in America by German and other European settlers in the early 19th century. Decorated trees have their origins in Germany from the Middle Ages. The first American Christmas tree lot is said to have opened in 1851 and belonged to a woodsman named Mark Carr from New York. According to a 2019 American Christmas Tree Association survey, 77% of American households were expected to have a Christmas tree on display. Nineteen percent of the trees on exhibit were real, and an estimated eighteen percent were artificial.

 The Rockettes:

Originally called the Missouri Rockets, this legendary dance group has been making waves since 1925. In 1934, they changed their name to the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. They have entertained troops, opened movies, appeared on TV, and are probably best known for their yearly Christmas Spectacular.

Charlie Brown Holiday:

It may seem difficult to believe now, but CBS leaders initially rejected this well-loved TV special that was based on Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. But nearly half of all American TV sets were tuned to the show when it finally aired on December 9, 1965. The program went on to win an Emmy, a Peabody, a devoted fan base, and even started a trend of “Charlie Brown” Christmas trees. Linus remarks, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree,” in the special. Really, it’s not that horrible. Perhaps a little love is all it needs.

The Christmas Pickles:

If you have pickles mixed in with your decoration of snowmen, angels, and reindeer, you probably follow the American custom of hiding the green ornament on the tree in order to give a gift to the first child to find it or open the first gift on Christmas morning. The origins of the practice are a little hazy (or should I say briny?), but it most likely developed from a Woolworths marketing ploy from the late 1800s, when the retailer needed a sales pitch for imported German ornaments shaped like pickles.

Milk and Cookies for Sant:

Although the custom of leaving gifts for Santa and his reindeer originated in Norse mythology, Americans started to indulge in the custom during the 1930s Great Depression as a way to express their gratitude during a difficult time.

Wreaths for Doors:

Although wreaths date back to the Greek and Roman eras, the evergreen Christmas wreath—which is frequently decorated with boughs of holly—became associated with Christianity over time. The circular form of the wreath symbolizes eternal life, while the berries and leaves of the holly symbolize Christ’s crown of thorns and blood, according to the New York Times. Modern wreaths, which range widely in style from artificial and themed to glass balls and ribbon to flowers and fruit, are primarily recognized as a secular winter custom.

Christmas  Celebration Cards:

With the straightforward greeting, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You,” the first official Christmas card was introduced in England in 1843. In 1915, the Kansas City-based Hall Brothers (now Hallmark) produced a folded card that was sold with an envelope, initiating the idea of a mailed winter holiday greeting that eventually gained traction in both Britain and the United States. The Greeting Card Association reports that over 1.6 billion holiday cards are sold worldwide each year.

The Christmas Lights:

Although Thomas Edison is credited with creating the light bulb, Edward Hibberd Johnson, his partner and friend, came up with the brilliant idea of stringing lights around a Christmas tree in New York in 1882. The lights were mass-produced by 1914, and today the United States sells about 150 million sets of lights annually.

Santa Claus the Office Store:

Although it may seem like a modern Christmas custom, the tradition of waiting in line at the mall to take pictures of the children sitting on Santa’s lap actually began in 1890 when James Edgar of Brockton, Massachusetts had a Santa suit made for him and pretended to be the cheerful man running his dry goods store. Once the trick became popular, Santas started to appear in a lot of stores a year later. Although many believe Edgar to be the first store Santa, Macy’s in New York asserts that it has been Santa’s home since 1862.

The night before Christmas:

It was the eve of Christmas and throughout the entire house
Not even a mouse was stirring; the stockings were carefully hung by the fireplace.

With the hope that St. Nicholas would visit there shortly;

Then, what should appear to my wondering eyes,
However, a tiny glide and eight tiny snowmen,

I quickly realized it had to be St. Nick because the little older driver was acting so friendly and quickly.
His entire herd of reindeer arrived faster than eagles,

And he called the name of the reindeer and “On Dasher”;

Thus, the reindeer quickly flew to the top of the house.
With Santa Claus included, and the train filled with toys.

With a bound, he came down the chimney.
His tummy was round, and he was completely covered in fur.

 

Without saying a word, he went straight to work, answering all the clothing.

Then, he turned suddenly, putting his finger over his nose.

And he nodded as he rose up the chimney;

However, before he walked out of view, I noticed him cry out.

I’m praying everyone has a happy Christmas and good night!

 

How many Sleep’s are left until Christmas:

As of today, December 24th, my web search indicates that there are 22 days left until Christmas Day. Monday, December 25, 2023, is Christmas Day, one of the most joyful Christian celebrations in many nations around the world.

For more information visit our homepage: