Monday morning, kids all over will be getting up before the sun to see what that chubby guy in red might have put under the Christmas tree during the night.
That tree, Santa, the gifts, Christmas lights, caroling, the holiday goodies – They are all wonderful traditions.
There are loads of Christmas traditions all over the world. I’ve been looking up a few of ours on the internet and thought I’d share them with you.
The Christmas tree is a strong symbol0. It serves as the family’s center of attention. In fact, it is the center of most Christmas ceremonies all over the world.
Even if the first Christmas tree in the USA, perhaps, can be traced all the way back to 1777, Christmas trees did not become popular in the USA until the middle of the 18th century. An image of the English royal family standing in front of a Christmas tree was copied and brought to the USA in 1850. This resulted in the American upper classes embracing the Christmas tree. In the following decades, the tradition of Christmas trees in living rooms became popular among the rest of the population.
Santa is an important part of Christmas especially for the youngsters. Most children know Santa Claus as a big, round, red-cheeked, joyous, old gentleman who delivers Christmas gifts clad in black boots and a red and white suit.
But, the legend of Santa Claus dates all the way back to the 4th century when a child named Nicholas was born. At that time, nobody knew that he was to become world renowned as Santa Claus, but Nicholas soon showed signs of special abilities.
As a grown-up he became bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey, where, according to legend, he only did good deeds. One of the deeds later associated with Nicholas as Santa Claus or gift donor took place when he saved a family from poverty one night by throwing money through their window.
The tradition of giving may have begun with the gifts brought by the magi for the baby Jesus. Tradition says that we must treat each other kindly during Christmas. Maybe that is the reason why the tradition of giving Christmas gifts has spread far and wide.
Children always look forward most to receiving gifts, while grown-ups probably look forward to preparing and eating Christmas food the most. As it is, we all exert much effort to plan and prepare good food during Christmas.
During Christmas, a whole nation eats the same food. People cook according to the same Christmas recipes and end up with the same table decorations. It is, after all, a time for observing traditions. In the USA, they serve turkey and/or ham. It is placed in the middle of table; thus, it also functions as an amazing table decor. Many people in England do the same.
Caroling is another wonderful Christmas tradition. Popular Christmas carols symbolize everything that Christmas stands for: They gather the family, bring joy, spread the word about Christmas, and make everyone feel the Christmas spirit. Try to hum the melody of “Jingle Bells”, and most people in the northern hemisphere will immediately imagine seeing snowflakes, angels, and Christmas bells.
Christmas stories are important tools for spreading Christmas cheer. Actually it is said that Charles Dickens’ story, “A Christmas Carol”, saved Christmas as we know it today. When Charles Dickens wrote his story in the 18th century, the celebration of Christmas was on the wane. But Dickens used his story to describe Christmas as a time of joy, a time when people respect each other, and a time when everything is all right.
Christmas lights are another American tradition. When people back in the old days talked about Christmas lights, they meant the small, white candles on their trees. But today, people would undoubtedly visualize the millions of homes arrayed with of electric lights in many colors. No country in world cares as much about Christmas lights as the USA.
It all started with Edward H. Johnson, who was employed by Thomas Edison, as an inventor. During the months running up to Christmas in 1882, he created 80 red, white, and blue electrical light bulbs.
Whether your favorite tradition is, remember the most important one of all. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ in that little town of Bethlehem. Here’s my wish that this holiday is your best one ever.
Merry Christmas from the Maurers and the Thayers!