As you decorate the Christmas tree this holiday season, you may wonder where this and other Christmas traditions originated from.
Christmas wasn't accepted into American culture until the mid 19th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries, large groups of colonists objected to the celebration, calling it an abomination. The puritans believed church government shouldn't sanction anything that wasn't found in the scriptures.
Primitive Christianity regarded Christmas as the feast of the birth of JESUS CHRIST, celebrated December 25. The church, however, did not observe this event until the 4th century.
During the 19th century, secular interest in Christmas spread rapidly with an influx of German immigrants who celebrated Christmas as both a religious and folk occasion.
Christmas traditions have roots in European folk customs. The yule log, now virtually forgotten, originated in England. The log, brought home on Christmas Eve and placed in the fireplace, was lit from a piece of the previous year's log and kept burning for 12 hours, to prevent bad luck.
The Christmas tree's popularity grew out of the yule log. As legend has it, the first Christmas tree was brought home by Martin Luther, who decorated it with candles to imitate the stars in the sky above Bethlehem.
The first national recognition of the Christmas tree custom in the United States came in 1856, when President Franklin Pierce decorated one at the White House.
Originally, the "tree of life" was a tabletop model. It was decorated with apples, the symbol of man's fall, and sacramental wafers, the symbol of man's salvation. Eventually, the apples were replaced by glass balls, the wafers by cookies cut in the shape of stars, angels, or animals.
The poinsettia is the most popular plant used in today's Christmas decorating. The "flower of the Holy Night" is believed to represent the flaming Star of Bethlehem.
Holly, ivy and mistletoe are symbols of fertility. Though ivy is largely overlooked today, in old English carols ivy represents the female and holly represents the male. Both were thought to have healing powers.
The legend of Santa Claus rose out of the story of St. Nicholas, who was born about 270 A.D. in what is now Turkey. Tales of his charitable life and miracle-working were well known. He was considered the patron of children and this is thought to be the reason he became tied to Christmas.
The legend of Santa Claus' climb down the chimney is of Dutch origin. His red suit trimmed with white fur originated in the bishop's miter and cope worn by the Dutch saint.
The written description of the modern Santa Claus was created by Clement Moore, author of "The Night Before Christmas." The visual image was developed by Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist.
His association with reindeer and the North Pole apparently came from Scandinavia. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer appeared on the scene in 1939, an advertising campaign of Montgomery Ward. The story was used as a "giveaway" item for the Christmas shopping season and wasn't used again until 1946. In 1949 the song was recorded by Gene Autry and Bing Crosby and it swept the country.
Christmas presents were advertised sporadically in newspapers in the 1820s, but for the next half century, gifts were referred to as "New Year's" gifts or simply "holiday" gifts. The custom of gift-giving didn't catch on until the mid 19th century, when stores were a flurry of activity.
So, on Christmas day remember the various traditions making Christmas such a special day. Celebrate the fact that you are with loved ones and above all rejoice in the Birth in Bethlehem.
© 1999 Vicki S
A Visit from the Christ Child - The True Meaning of Christmas
This inspirational poem really does the job of putting the Christ back in Christmas! (recited to the tune of "Twas the Night Before Christmas")
Footprints in the Sand
A touching poem depicting God's love!
A Story of the Christmas Guest
Of all the gifts, love is the best!
