Did You Know?
Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the country's first Christmas under the new constitution
History of Christmas - Before Christ?
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
Saturnalia - In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.
Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra’s birthday was the most sacred day of the year. In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated.
History of Old Christmas Day
Until the time of Julius Caesar the Roman year was organized round the phases of the moon. For many reasons this was hopelessly inaccurate so, on the advice of his astronomers, Julius instituted a calendar centered round the sun. It was decreed that one year was to consist of three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter days, divided into twelve months; the month of Quirinus was renamed 'July' to commemorate the Julian reform. Unfortunately, despite the introduction of leap years, the Julian calendar overestimated the length of the year by eleven minutes fifteen seconds, which comes to one day every on hundred and twenty-eight years. By the sixteenth century the calendar was ten days out. In 1582 reforms instituted by Pope Gregory XIII lopped the eleven minutes fifteen seconds off the length of a year and deleted the spare ten days. This new Gregorian calendar was adopted throughout Catholic Europe.
Protestant Europe was not going to be told what day it was by the Pope, so it kept to the old Julian calendar. This meant that London was a full ten days ahead of Paris. The English also kept the 25th of March as New Year's Day rather than the 1st of January. By the time England came round to adopting the Gregorian calendar, in the middle of the eighteenth century, England was eleven days ahead of the Continent.
A Calendar Act was passed in 1751 which stated that in order to bring England into line, the day following the 2nd of September 1752 was to be called the 14th, rather than the 3rd of September. Unfortunately, many people were not able to understand this simple manoeuvre and thought that the government had stolen eleven days of their lives. In some parts there were riots and shouts of 'give us back our eleven days!'
Before the calendar was reformed, England celebrated Christmas on the equivalent of the 6th of January by our modern, Gregorian reckoning. That is why in some parts of Great Britain people still call the 6th of January, Old Christmas Day.
KING DAVID SAID "THE STARS SPEAK." The starry events you have seen match the 9-point account in The Book of Matthew. A reasonable person could conclude that we have found the Biblical Star. If we have, then you have heard the stars speak. You have heard the celestial fanfare for the birth of a King. The Messiah. You have heard the hushed celestial dirge played out in the sky at his crucifixion. But, what do these things mean?
The Fuller Message
The Bible says the stars can carry messages from God on high. If that is true, then behind any other message, the fundamental meaning of these events is that God is there. The stars were part of his communication to those living in the Magi's day. Through our understanding of what happened in the sky, he continues to speak to us today.
When God called Moses into closer relationship with himself, he used a startling event in the natural world. A bush burned, but it was not consumed by the flames. The burning bush was God's invitation to Moses, an invitation to draw near and to hear a fuller message. When the Magi saw signs in the heavens, they responded as did Moses. They drew near to learn more. The Star of Bethlehem is an invitation for people who see it today, including you. A natural response when you see a sign is to draw near. To want to know more. To seek the fuller message.
Most people believe there is a God. Christians, Jews, and those of countless other religious traditions believe that we were created for relationship with our Creator. That is probably why the idea of having a relationship with God sounds attractive to most of us. We're simply built that way. As French philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) wrote:
There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator made known through Jesus Christ.
This religious impulse is durable. History shows that even relentless brutal repression of religious expression cannot drive out human interest in The Existing One. Still, according to the Bible there is a disconnection between God and man. We are interested in God, yes, but we are much more interested in ourselves—this is the heart of what the Bible calls "sin." The Jewish prophet Isaiah describes our sinful self-centeredness this way in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 53:
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way...
The Bible says that spiritual death, separation from God, is the payment we receive for sin. The Apostle Paul says in the Book of Romans, Chapter 6:
23 For the wages of sin is death...
But if God did create us for relationship with himself, surely he would also provide a way to come into this relationship, to overcome the problem of sin and the spiritual death it brings. The fuller message of the Star of Bethlehem is that he has provided that way. He has provided the Messiah, the Christ. Both Old and New Testaments of the Bible say that this Messiah will willingly accept the punishment for sin in our place. This is God's provision to heal our separation from him.
Both of the two verses above state our human spiritual problem—the bad news. But the quotations are incomplete. The verses continue and state the solution to the problem—the good news. They go on to say that the Messiah will bear the punishment for our sin, that we can have relationship with God because of what the Messiah did. Here are the complete verses, with both the bad news and the good. They say God has made a way:
Isaiah 53.6: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [the Messiah] the iniquity of us all.
Romans 6.23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So the fuller message of the Star is good news. That Christ, the Messiah has come. The Messiah has paid the penalty for our sins. It is possible to have the relationship with God that so many desire. There have probably been times when you have thought about God and the possibility of knowing him. That is true of most of us.
A man found the girl of his dreams. She was intelligent, beautiful, and she loved him. He was convinced that she was the perfect mate. He wanted to marry her. But he never asked her. So, they were never married. Wanting to be married doesn't make it so. You have to decide and then act.
Our situation with God is something like that. We feel the God-shaped vacuum. We desire relationship with him. We hear that Christ's sacrifice makes that relationship possible by paying the price for our wrongdoing.
But the relationship will never happen unless we decide and then act.
Jesus said in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 3:
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Through Jesus the Christ, God is inviting you into relationship. But you must decide and act. If you accept the invitation, Jesus promises to come and be with you. If you feel God calling you into relationship, you need to decide and to act. You can do this by praying to God right now. Prayer is just talking to God. The exact words you use are not important. God looks at the heart. You can begin your new relationship with God by praying a prayer like this one:
God, I want to come into relationship with you. I know that I am not perfect, that I'm a sinner in your eyes. Thank you that you sent Jesus to die in my place, to take the punishment for my sinfulness. Come into my life, Lord. Begin making me the person you designed me to be. Amen.
A Clockwork Star
But the Star means yet more. Jesus said in the Book of Matthew, Chapter 10:
30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Many have marveled at Jesus' statement—that God's "mind" is so great that it allows his complete familiarity with the creation in all of its detail. We can barely begin to contemplate it. But confronting the Star, we see the same message.
For if the Star wasn't magic or a special miracle from outside of the natural order, then it was something even more startling. It was a Clockwork Star. And that is overwhelming. The movement of the heavenly bodies is regular, like a great clock. The Clockwork Star finally means that from the very instant at which God flung the universe into existence, he also knew the moment he would enter human history in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He marked it in the stars. And from before the beginning of time as we experience it, God knew the very moment when Messiah would breath his last on the cross.
Jesus is "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world."
Revelation 13:8
IT'S AN ASTRONOMICAL MYSTERY. A strange star is claimed to have appeared at the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. This site is an investigation of the story found in the Biblical Gospel of Matthew, a story often called the 'Star of Bethlehem.' It brings the words of Roman and Jewish historians alongside the visions of ancient prophets. It mixes "modern" mathematicians with murderous turmoil in the Roman imperial court. It combines all these with astronomical facts which no one disputes. And it concludes that the star was a real event. Come solve this age-old mystery for yourself...
Setting the Stage Overview
JOHANNES KEPLER paved the way for rediscovery of the Star. He puzzled out the math which drives the heavens. He even used his formulae to search for the Star we seek. But unlike we, Kepler had no computer. With software incorporating Kepler's equations, we can animate ancient skies over the Mid East with great precision. When we do that, the sky comes alive...
THE BIBLE blasts worship of the stars. It even declares the death penalty for star-abuse! So, by seeking the Star of Bethlehem, are we doing something the Bible itself forbids? Actually, the Bible encourages attention to the stars, but only attention of a very specific type...
NEARLY EVERYTHING in the sky has been proposed as the Star of Bethlehem at one time or another. Why? Because investigators often grant surprisingly little regard to clues found in the Bible. But, a close reading of the Book of Matthew uncovers nine specific features of the Star. These qualifications become primary tools in our investigation...
THE NINE CHARACTERISTICS of the Star eliminate most celestial objects as candidates—they just don't measure up. We quickly see what the Star cannot have been. These ancient clues narrow our search dramatically and yield an hypothesis we can test...
The Starry Dance Overview
OUR INVESTIGATION KNOCKS OUT most celestial objects as candidates for the Star. But there is one class of stars that might still match the rigorous tests we've extracted from the Book of Matthew: "wandering stars." That will be our hypothesis...
THE BOOK OF REVELATION is a puzzle. An enchanting puzzle, to be sure. And a tantalizing puzzle to one conducting an astronomical investigation, because John's book is full of star imagery. While some of John's vision is enigmatic, some of what he writes unfolds to us with the help of Kepler's Laws...
HUNDREDS OF PLANETARIA worldwide present "Star of Bethlehem" Christmas shows. Most don't feel comfortable using the Bible as the center of their performances, so they miss much of what we are finding. But one celestial event they nearly always include is a show stopper from an astronomer's perspective. The brightest event of our Magus' career occurred in 2 BC...
CAN A STAR STOP? Can and did. In the Southern sky, over the little town of Bethlehem...
An Ancient Holiday
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
An Outlaw Christmas
In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.
The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
A Christmas Carol
Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.
The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to "spoil" them.
As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving.
Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.
Christmas Facts
Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.
In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today's Mardi Gras parties.
From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.
Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America—in fact Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the country's first Christmas under the new constitution.
Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.
The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith's 1607 Jamestown settlement.
Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.
The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.
Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was the product of Robert L. May's imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.
Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.
Santa Claus History in the USA begins 4 centuries ago
1600's: The Puritans made it illegal to mention St. Nicolas' name. People were not allowed to exchange gifts, light a candle, or sing Christmas carols.
17th century: Dutch immigrants brought with them the legend of Sinter Klaas.
1773: Santa first appeared in the media as St. A Claus.
1804: The New York Historical Society was founded with St. Nicolas as its patron saint. Its members engaged in the Dutch practice of gift-giving at Christmas.
1809: Washington Irving, writing under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, included Saint Nicolas in his book "A History of New York." Nicolas is described as riding into town on a horse.
1812: Irving, revised his book to include Nicolas riding over the trees in a wagon.
1821: William Gilley printed a poem about "Santeclaus" who was dressed in fur and drove a sleigh drawn by a single reindeer.
1822: Dentist Clement Clarke Moore is believed by many to have written a poem "An Account of a Visit from Saint Nicolas," which became better known as "The Night before Christmas." Santa is portrayed as an elf with a miniature sleigh equipped with eight reindeer which are named in the poem as Blitzem, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder, Prancer, and Vixen. Others attribute the poem to a contemporary, Henry Livingston, Jr. Two have since been renamed Donner and Blitzen.
1841: J.W. Parkinson, a Philadelphia merchant, hired a man to dress up in a "Criscringle" outfit and climb the chimney of his store.
1863: Illustrator Thomas Nast created images of Santa for the Christmas editions of Harper's Magazine. These continued through the 1890's.
1860s: President Abraham Lincoln asked Nast to create a drawing of Santa with some Union soldiers. This image of Santa supporting the enemy had a demoralizing influence on the Confederate army -- an early example of psychological warfare.
1897: Francis P Church, Editor of the New York Sun, wrote an editorial in response to a letter from an eight year-old girl, Virginia O'Hanlon. She had written the paper asking whether there really was a Santa Claus. It has become known as the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" letter. 4
1920's: The image of Santa had been standardized to portray a bearded, over-weight, jolly man dressed in a red suit with white trim. 5
1931: Haddon Sundblom, illustrator for The Coca-Cola ™ company drew a series of Santa images in their Christmas advertisements until 1964. The company holds the trademark for the Coca-Cola Santa design. Christmas ads including Santa continue to the present day.
1939 Copywriter Robert L. May of the Montgomery Ward Company created a poem about Rudolph, the ninth reindeer. May had been "often taunted as a child for being shy, small and slight." He created an ostracized reindeer with a shiny red nose who became a hero one foggy Christmas eve. Santa was part-way through deliveries when the visibility started to degenerate. Santa added Rudolph to his team of reindeer to help illuminate the path. A copy of the poem was given free to Montgomery Ward customers. 6
1949: Johnny Marks wrote the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Rudolph was relocated to the North Pole where he was initially rejected by the other reindeer who wouldn't let him play in their reindeer games because of his strange looking nose. The song was recorded by Gene Autry and became his all-time best seller. Next to "White Christmas" it is the most popular song of all time.
1993: An urban folk tale began to circulate about a Japanese department store displaying a life-sized Santa Claus being crucified on a cross. It never happened.
1997: Artist Robert Cenedella drew a painting of a crucified Santa Claus. It was displayed in the window of the New York's Art Students League and received intense criticism from some religious groups. His drawing was a protest. He attempted to show how Santa Claus had replaced Jesus Christ as the most important personality at Christmas time. 7
12 days of Christmas
It is said that the traditional Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a secret teaching tool to instruct children in the meaning of the Christian faith. From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were, apparently, forbidden from openly practicing their religion. So, this carol was devised to get the message across without upsetting the Protestants. Here is the broken code, thanks to this contribution from Guyneitha.
Passage Hidden definition
My true love
Me
Partridge in a pear tree
Two Turtle Doves
Three French hens
Four calling birds
Five gold rings
Six geese a-laying
Seven swans a-swimming
Eight maids a-milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords a-leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming God
The Christian
Jesus
The old and new testaments
Faith, hope and love
The four gospels
The first five books of the Bible
The six days of creation
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
The beatitudes
The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
The ten commandments
The eleven faithful disciples
The twelve points of the apostle creed
Saint Nicholas - a brief history
St. Nicholas was born in 280 AD, in Patara, a city of Lycia, in Asia Minor. He became the gift giver of Myra. His gifts were given late at night, so that the gift giver's identity would remain a secret. St Nicholas was eventually named the patron saint of children, sailors, Russia and Greece.
St. Nicholas was a Christian priest, who later became a bishop. He was a rich person, and traveled the country helping people, giving gifts of money and other presents. St. Nicholas did not like to be seen when he gave away presents, so the children of the day were told to go to sleep quickly or he would not come! Nothing has changed and Santa Claus will not arrive this Christmas unless the children go to sleep early.
A famous story about St. Nicholas, is about a poor man who had no money to give to his three daughters on their wedding day. St Nick dropped bags of gold into the stockings which the girls had left to dry by the fire. The sisters found the gold and ever since, children have hung up stockings on Christmas Eve hoping that they will be filled with presents by Christmas morning.
Despite being quite young Nicholas had earned a reputation for kindliness and wisdom. In the year 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian commanded all the citizens of the Roman Empire, which included Asia Minor, to worship him as a god.
Christians believed in one god and one god alone, so their conscience would not allow them to obey the Emperor's order. Angered by their stubbornness, Diocletian warnd the Christians that they would be imprisoned. The Emperor carried out the threat and St Nicholas who resisted too was also imprisoned. For more than five years, St Nicholas was confined to a small cell. He suffered from cold, hunger, and thirst, but he never wavered in his beliefs. In 313, when Diocletian resigned, and Constantine came to power Nicholas was released, and he returned to his post as Bishop of Myra. He continued his good works and became even wiser and more understanding by the time of his death on December 6, 343.
In the eyes of the Catholics, a saint is someone who has lived such a holy life that, after dying and going to heaven, he or she is still able to help people on earth. They often become patron to different groups of people - one such was children and many legends sprang up to explain his presence.
By 450, churches in Asia Minor and Greece were being named in honor of him. By 800, he was officially recognized as the a saint by the Eastern Catholic Church.
In the 1200s, December sixth began to be celebrated as Bishop Nicholas Day in France.
By end of the 1400s, St Nicholas was the third most beloved religious figure, after Jesus and Mary. There were more than 2000 chapels and monasteries named after him.
In the 1500s people in England stopped worshipping St Nicholas and favored more another gift giving figure Father Christmas. Over the centuries, St. Nicholas' popularity grew, and many people in Europe made up new stories that showed his concern for children. The name Santa Claus was derived from the Dutch Sinter Klass pronunciation of St. Nicholas. Early Dutch settlers in New York (once called New Amsterdam) brought their traditions of St Nicholas. As children from other countries tried to pronounce Sinter Klass, this soon became Santa Klass, which was settled as Santa Claus. The old bishop's cloak with mitre, jewelled gloves and crozier were soon replaced with his red suit and clothing seen in other modern images.
Christmas history in America :
In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.
The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America’s new constitution. Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
Washington Irving reinvents Christmas
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday?
The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city’s first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.
In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status.
Irving’s fictitious celebrants enjoyed “ancient customs,” including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving’s book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended—in fact, many historians say that Irving’s account actually “invented” tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.
Before the Civil War
The North and South were divided on the issue of Christmas, as well as on the question of slavery. Many Northerners saw sin in the celebration of Christmas; to these people the celebration of Thanksgiving was more appropriate. But in the South, Christmas was an important part of the social season. Not surprisingly, the first three states to make Christmas a legal holiday were in the South: Alabama in 1836, Louisiana and Arkansas in 1838.&
In the years after the Civil War, Christmas traditions spread across the country. Children's books played an important role in spreading the customs of celebrating Christmas, especially the tradition of trimmed trees and gifts delivered by Santa Claus. Sunday school classes encouraged the celebration of Christmas. Women's magazines were also very important in suggesting ways to decorate for the holidays, as well as how to make these decorations.
By the last quarter of the nineteenth century, America eagerly decorated trees, caroled, baked, and shopped for the Christmas season. Since that time, materialism, media, advertising, and mass marketing has made Christmas what it is today. The traditions that we enjoy at Christmas today were invented by blending together customs from many different countries into what is considered by many to be our national holiday.
An overview:
1600's: The Puritans made it illegal to mention St. Nicolas' name. People were not allowed to exchange gifts, light a candle, or sing Christmas carols.
17th century: Dutch immigrants brought with them the legend of Sinter Klaas.
1773: Santa first appeared in the media as St. A Claus.
1804: The New York Historical Society was founded with St. Nicolas as its patron saint. Its members engaged in the Dutch practice of gift-giving at Christmas.
1809: Washington Irving, writing under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, included Saint Nicolas in his book "A History of New York." Nicolas is described as riding into town on a horse.
1812: Irving, revised his book to include Nicolas riding over the trees in a wagon.
1821: William Gilley printed a poem about "Santeclaus" who was dressed in fur and drove a sleigh drawn by a single reindeer.
1822: Dentist Clement Clarke Moore is believed by many to have written a poem "An Account of a Visit from Saint Nicolas," which became better known as "The Night before Christmas." Santa is portrayed as an elf with a miniature sleigh equipped with eight reindeer which are named in the poem as Blitzem, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder, Prancer, and Vixen. Others attribute the poem to a contemporary, Henry Livingston, Jr. Two have since been renamed Donner and Blitzen.
1841: J.W. Parkinson, a Philadelphia merchant, hired a man to dress up in a "Criscringle" outfit and climb the chimney of his store.
1863: Illustrator Thomas Nast created images of Santa for the Christmas editions of Harper's Magazine. These continued through the 1890's.
1860s: President Abraham Lincoln asked Nast to create a drawing of Santa with some Union soldiers. This image of Santa supporting the enemy had a demoralizing influence on the Confederate army -- an early example of psychological warfare.
1897: Francis P Church, Editor of the New York Sun, wrote an editorial in response to a letter from an eight year-old girl, Virginia O'Hanlon. She had written the paper asking whether there really was a Santa Claus. It has become known as the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" letter. 4
1920's: The image of Santa had been standardized to portray a bearded, over-weight, jolly man dressed in a red suit with white trim. 5
1931: Haddon Sundblom, illustrator for The Coca-Cola ™ company drew a series of Santa images in their Christmas advertisements until 1964. The company holds the trademark for the Coca-Cola Santa design. Christmas ads including Santa continue to the present day.
1939 Copywriter Robert L. May of the Montgomery Ward Company created a poem about Rudolph, the ninth reindeer. May had been "often taunted as a child for being shy, small and slight." He created an ostracized reindeer with a shiny red nose who became a hero one foggy Christmas eve. Santa was part-way through deliveries when the visibility started to degenerate. Santa added Rudolph to his team of reindeer to help illuminate the path. A copy of the poem was given free to Montgomery Ward customers. 6
1949: Johnny Marks wrote the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Rudolph was relocated to the North Pole where he was initially rejected by the other reindeer who wouldn't let him play in their reindeer games because of his strange looking nose. The song was recorded by Gene Autry and became his all-time best seller. Next to "White Christmas" it is the most popular song of all time.
1993: An urban folk tale began to circulate about a Japanese department store displaying a life-sized Santa Claus being crucified on a cross. It never happened.
1997: Artist Robert Cenedella drew a painting of a crucified Santa Claus. It was displayed in the window of the New York's Art Students League and received intense criticism from some religious groups. His drawing was a protest. He attempted to show how Santa Claus had replaced Jesus Christ as the most important personality at Christmas time. 7
'Merry Christmas' around the world - origins & trivia
Andorra (AD) Bon Nadal
United Arab Emirates (AE) I'd miilad said oua sana saida
Afghanistan (AF) De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha
Antigua and Barbuda (AG) Merry Christmas
Anguilla (AI) Merry Christmas
Albania (AL) Gézuar Krishlindjet
Armenia (AM) Shnorhavor Sourp Dzunount
Netherlands Antilles (AN) Bon Pasco, Bon Anja
Angola (AO) Boas Festas
Argentina (AR) ¡Feliz Navidad!
American Samoa (AS) Ia Manuia Le Kilisimasi
Austria (AT) Frohe Weihnachten
Australia (AU) Happy Christmas
Aruba (AW) Bon Pasco, Bon Anja
Azerbaijan (AZ) Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bosnia and Herzegowina (BA) Sretan Bozic
Barbados (BB) Merry Christmas
Bangladesh (BD) Shuvo Baro Din
Belgium (BE) Zalig Kerstfeest
Burkina Faso (BF) Joyeux Noel
Bulgaria (BG) Vessela Koleda
Bahrain (BH) Mboni Chrismen
Burundi (BI) Noeli Nziza, Joyeux Noel,
Benin (BJ) Joyeux Noel
Bermuda (BM) Merry Christmas
Brunei Darussalam (BN) Selamat Hari Natal
Bolivia (BO) Feliz Navidad
Brazil (BR) Feliz Natal
Bahamas (BS) Happy Christmas
Bhutan (BT) krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva
Bouvet Island (BV) remove
Botswana (BW) Merry Christmas
Belarus (BY) Winshuyu sa Svyatkami
Belize (BZ) Merry Christmas
Canada (CA) Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CC) Merry Christmas, Selamat Hari Natal
Congo (CD) Joyeux Noel
Central African Republic (CF) Joyeux Noel
Congo (CG) Joyeux Noel
Switzerland (CH) Fröhlichi Wiehnacht, Joyeux Noel
Cote D'ivoire (CI) Joyeux Noel
Cook Islands (CK) Merry Christmas, Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritime
Chile (CL) Feliz Navidad
Cameroon (CM) Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
China (CN) Sheng Tan Kuai Loh
Colombia (CO) Feliz Navidad para todos
Costa Rica (CR) Feliz Navidad
Cuba (CU) Feliz Navidad
Cape Verde (CV) Boas Festas
Christmas Island (CX) Merry Christmas
Cyprus (CY) Eftihismena Christougenna, Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yili
Czech Republic (CZ) Vesele Vanoce
Germany (DE) Frohliche Weihnachten
Djibouti (DJ) Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
Denmark (DK) Glaedelig Jul
Dominica (DM) Merry Christmas
Dominican Republic (DO) Feliz Navidad
Algeria (DZ) Mboni Chrismen
Ecuador (EC) Feliz Navidad
Estonia (EE) Haid Joule, Rôômsaid Jôule
Egypt (EG) Mboni Chrismen
Eritrea (ER) Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet
Spain (ES) Feliz Navidad
Ethiopia (ET) Melkam Yelidet Beaal, Poket Kristmet, Merry Christmas
Finland (FI) Hauskaa Joulua
Fiji (FJ) Merry Christmas
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (FK) Merry Christmas
Federated States of Mirconesia (FM) Merry Christmas
Faroe Islands (FO) Gledhilig jol
France (FR) Joyeux Noel
Gabon (GA) Joyeux Noel
United Kingdom (GB) Happy Christmas, Nadolig Llawen (Wales)
Grenada (GD) Merry Christmas
Georgia (GE) Gilotsavt Krist'es Shobas
French Guiana (GF) Joyeux Noel
Ghana (GH) Afishapa
Gibraltar (GI) Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad
Greenland (GL) Glædelig Jul, Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit
Gambia (GM) Merry Christmas
Guinea (GN) Joyeux Noel
Guadeloupe (GP) Joyeux Noel
Equatorial Guinea (GQ) Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad
Greece (GR) Eftihismena Christougenna
Guatemala (GT) Feliz Navidad
Guam (GU) Merry Christmas, Felis Pasgua
Guinea-bissau (GW) Boas Festas
Guyana (GY) Merry Christmas
Hong Kong (HK) Sing dan fiy loc, Merry Christmas
Honduras (HN) Feliz Navidad
Haiti (HT) Jwaye Nwel
Hungary (HU) Boldog Karácsonyt
Indonesia (ID) Salamet Hari Natal
Ireland (IE) Nollaig Shona dhuit
Israel (IL) Mo'adim Lesimkha
India (IN) Shub Christu Jayanti
British Indian Ocean Territory (IO) Happy Christmas
Iraq (IQ) Idah Saidan Wasanah Jadidah
Islamic Republic of Iran (IR) Christmas Mobarrak
Iceland (IS) Gleðileg Jól
Italy (IT) Buon Natale
Jamaica (JM) Merry Christmas
Jordan (JO) Mboni Chrismen, Merry Christmas
Japan (JP) Merii Kurisumasu
Kenya (KE) Merry Christmas
Kyrgyzstan (KG) Hristos Razdajetsja
Kiribati (KI) Merry Christmas
Comoros (KM) Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
Saint Kitts and Nevis (KN) Happy Christmas
Korea (KP) Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Republic of Korea (KR) Sungtan Chukha
Kuwait (KW) Mboni Chrismen, Merry Christmas
Cayman Islands (KY) Merry Christmas
Kazakhstan (KZ) Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim
Lebanon (LB) Milad Majeed
Saint Lucia (LC) Happy Christmas
Liechtenstein (LI) Frohliche Weihnachten
Sri Lanka (LK) Subha nath thalak Vewa
Liberia (LR) Happy Christmas
Lesotho (LS) Happy Christmas
Lithuania (LT) Laimingu Kaledu
Luxembourg (LU) Schéi Krëschtdeeg
Latvia (LV) Priecigus ziemassvetkus!
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (LY) Mboni Chrismen, Buon Natale, Happy Christmas
Morocco (MA) Mboni Chrismen
Monaco (MC) Festusu Natale
Republic of Moldova (MD) Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!
Madagascar (MG) Joyeux Noel, Arahaba tratry ny Krismasy
Marshall islands (MH) Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin
Macedonia (MK) Streken Bozhik
Mali (ML) Joyeux Noel
Macau (MO) Boas Festas, Sing dan fiy loc
Northern Mariana Islands (MP) Filis Pasgua, Merry Christmas
Martinique (MQ) Joyeux Noel, --
Montserrat (MS) Merry Christmas
Malta (MT) Il-Milied it-Tajjeb
Mauritius (MU) Merry Christmas
Malawi (MW) Merry Christmas, Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha X'mas
Mexico (MX) Feliz Navidad
Malaysia (MY) Selamat Hari Krimas
Mozambique (MZ) Boas Festas
Namibia (NA) Geseende Kersfees
New Caledonia (NC) Joyeux Noel
Niger (NE) Joyeux Noel
Norfolk Island (NF) Merry Christmas
Nigeria (NG) Merry Christmas
Nicaragua (NI) Feliz Navidad
Netherlands (NL) Prettige Kerstdagen
Norway (NO) Gledelig Jul
Nepal (NP) krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva
New zealand (NZ) Happy Christmas
Oman (OM) Mboni Chrismen
Panama (PA) Feliz Navidad
Peru (PE) Feliz Navidad
French Polynesia (PF) Joyeux Noel, La ora i te Noera
Papua New Guinea (PG) Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas
Philippines (PH) Maligayang Pasko
Pakistan (PK) Bara Din Mubarrak Ho
Poland (PL) Wesolych Swiat
St. Pierre and Miquelon (PM) Joyeux Noel
Pitcairn (PN) Merry Christmas
Puerto Rico (PR) Feliz Navidad, Felices Pascuas, Felicidades
Portugal (PT) Boas Festas
Palau (PW) Merry Christmas
Paraguay (PY) Feliz Navidad
Qatar (QA) Mboni Chrismen
Reunion (RE) Joyeux Noel
Romania (RO) Sarbatori vesele
Russian Federation (RU) Hristos Razdajetsja, Rozdjestvom Hristovim
Rwanda (RW) Noheli Nziza
Saudi Arabia (SA) Mboni Chrismen
Seychelles (SC) Happy Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Sudan (SD) Wilujeng Natal
Sweden (SE) God Jul
Singapore (SG) Sheng Tan Kuai Loh
St. Helena (SH) Happy Christmas
Slovenia (SI) Srecen Bozic
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (SJ) Hristos Razdajetsja, Gledelig Jul
Slovakia (Slovak Republic) (SK) Vesele Vianoce
Sierra Leone (SL) Happy Christmas
San Marino (SM) Buon Natale
Senegal (SN) Joyeux Noel
Suriname (SR) Zalig Kersfeest, Wang swietie Kresnetie
Sao Tome and Principe (ST) Boas Festas
El Salvador (SV) Feliz Navidad
Syrian Arab Republic (SY) Mboni Chrismen
Swaziland (SZ) Happy Christmas
Turks and Caicos Islands (TC) Happy Christmas
Chad (TD) Joyeux Noel, Mboni Chrismen
Togo (TG) Joyeux Noel
Thailand (TH) Ewadee Pe-e Mai
Tokelau (TK) Merry Christmas
Tunisia (TN) Mboni Chrismen
Tonga (TO) Kilisimasi Fiefia
Turkey (TR) Mutlu Noeller
Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Happy Christmas
Taiwan (TW) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Tanzania (TZ) Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Happy Christmas
Ukraine (UA) Veseloho Vam Rizdva
Uganda (UG) Webale Krismasi
United States (US) Merry Christmas
Uruguay (UY) Feliz Navidad
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines (VC) Happy Christmas
Venezuela (VE) Feliz Navidad
Virgin islands (U.S.) (VI) Merry Christmas
Viet Nam (VN) Chuc mung Giang Sinh
Vanuatu (VU) Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel
Wallis and Futuna Islands (WF) Joyeux Noel
Samoa (WS) Ia Manuia Le Kilisimasi
Yemen (YE) Mboni Chrismen
Mayotte (YT) Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Joyeux Noel
Yugoslavia (YU) Cestitamo Bozic
South Africa (ZA) Geseënde Kersfees, Happy Christmas
Zambia (ZM) Happy Christmas
Zimbabwe (ZW) Happy Christmas
How do YOU say 'Merry Christmas' in your part of the world?
How do YOU say 'Merry Christmas' in your part of the world?
Israel - Christmas traditions & customs
Bethlehem, the little town where Jesus is said to have been born is the site of the Church of the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags and decorations every Christmas. On Christmas Eve natives and visitors alike crowd the church's doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed. Then come the churchmen and government officials. The procession solemnly enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the church. Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.
Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the village square.
Russia - Christmas traditions & customs
St. Nicholas is especially popular in Russia. The legend is that the 11th-century Prince Vladimir traveled to Constantinople to be baptized, and returned with stories of miracles performed by St. Nicholas of Myra. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches have been named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian boys. The feast of St. Nicholas (December 6) was observed for many centuries, but after the communist revolution, the celebration of the feast was suppressed.
During the communist years St. Nicholas was transformed into Grandfather Frost. Other religious traditions were suppressed during the communist era. Before the revolution, a figure called Babouschka would bring gifts for the children. Like Italy's La Befana, the story is that Babouschka failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men during their journey to visit the Christ Child. According to tradition, she still roams the countryside searching for the Christ Child and visiting the homes of children during the Christmas season. Babouschka never completely disappeared, and now in the post-communist era, has returned openly.
Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime, but people continued to trim their "New Year's" trees. Most Christian Russians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and it is customary to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness, success, and untroubled rest.
A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently observed. A priest visits the home accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water, and a little water is sprinkled in each room. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolize unity.
England - Christmas traditions & customs
The English enjoy beautiful Christmas music. They love to decorate Christmas Trees and hang up evergreen branches.
One of England's customs is mumming. In the Middle Ages, people called mummers put on masks and acted out Christmas plays. These plays are still performed in towns and villages.
The English gift giver is called Father Christmas. He wears a long red or green robe, and leaves presents in stockings on Christmas Eve. However, the gifts are not usually opened until the following afternoon.
Christmas in England began in AD 596, when St Augustine landed on her shores with monks who wanted to bring Christianity to the Anglo Saxons.
Father Christmas delivers them during the night before Christmas. The Children leave an empty stocking or pillowcase hanging at the end of the bed. In the morning they hope it will be full of presents.
In England the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day because boys used to go round collecting money in clay boxes. When the boxes were full, they broke them open.
In England Christmas dinner was usually eaten at Midday on December 25, during daylight.
In England, the only thing that people ate on the day before the feast was Frumenty, which is, was a kind of porridge made from corn. Over the years the recipe changed. Eggs, fruit, spice, lumps of meat and dried plums were added. The whole mixture was wrapped in a cloth and boiled. This is how plum pudding began.
In England the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
India - Christmas traditions & customs
Because India is mainly Hindu and Moslem, there is no official celebration of Christmas. However, this time of year is looked upon as an appropriate time for gift-giving and tipping or giving "baksheesh," charitable hand-outs to the poor of the country.
Christians in India decorate mango or banana trees at Christmas time. Sometimes they also decorate their houses with mango leaves. In some parts of India, small clay oil-burning lamps are used as Christmas decorations; they are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit with candles for the Christmas Even service.
Australia - Christmas traditions & customs
In Australia, the holiday comes in the middle of summer--it's not unusual for some parts of Australia to hit 100 degrees Farenheit on Christmas day. In Sydney, thousands of families prepare their Christmas dinner and take it to Bondi Beach for a picnic. Australians decorate with Christmas Bushes, plants with little red-flowered leaves that are native to Australia.
Italy - Christmas traditions & customs
The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house reciting Christmas poems and singing. In some parts shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, play and sing Christmas songs.
In the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents.
A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panetoni features as well as chocolate. Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate - lucky dip, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presipio, prayers are said, and children recite poems.
At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square.
In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she was busy and delayed visiting the baby.
She missed the Star lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings and shoes with good things for good children and it is said leaves coal for children who are not so good.
SO ALL OF YOU VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.....BE SAFE & BE GOOD.
VINNY DESAI
