Christmas Day is a day of giving and celebration. 날짜계산기 This day has several traditions that have evolved from ancient times. This article will discuss some of them, as well as their origins. In addition, you'll learn what you can do to make the most of the day. The main reason to celebrate this day is to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
Traditions
Traditions on Christmas Day may vary from country to country, but many of them share common roots. Many European cultures celebrate Christmas with food. Western European families typically eat turkey and all the trimmings while Eastern European families often celebrate with kielbasa, cabbage dishes, and soups. Some Italian families also celebrate with a special dish known as lasagne.
The Three Kings, a symbol of goodwill and generosity, are also believed to be the source of many holiday traditions. Some families give three or four gifts, each symbolizing a different thing. The Vikings, for example, gave three gifts: one useful, one meaningful, and one that required discipline. Some families even go so far as to leave pickle ornaments on windows to be opened by the Three Kings.
Customs
Customs on Christmas Day vary greatly from country to country, but in many places, gifts are given on the evening of Christmas Eve. In many German towns, gifts are also given on Christmas Day, but in many other countries, gifts are not exchanged until the morning of Christmas Day. Most Europeans, however, do exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, which is consistent with the idea that Jesus was born on December 24. In North America, gift exchanges take place in the early morning of the 25th. In 17th and eighteenth-century Europe, the exchange of gifts was quite modest, and the early mass on Christmas Eve was moved into the afternoon.
Christmas Day is a religious holiday that is celebrated all over the world. People celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth on this day, which has become a cultural phenomenon. Many people also attend church services, exchange gifts, and wait for Santa Claus to come and deliver gifts. In the United States, the day has been a federal holiday since 1870.
Origins
Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus. Its name is derived from Old English Cristes maesse, or Christ's mass, and is often abbreviated Xmas. The "X" appears in the word Christmas because it resembles the Greek letter Kh, which stands for Christ.
While Puritans in New England disapproved of the holiday, Christians in Virginia celebrated it freely. However, the Christmas celebration eventually fell out of favor in the United States, and was considered a purely English tradition. After the American Revolution, Washington Irving revived interest in the holiday with his short stories. Irving portrayed warm holiday traditions in England in his famous book "Old Christmas." His stories inspired American readers to imitate them. In 1870, the government finally recognized Christmas as a federal holiday.
Church services
Christmas Day is a very special day for Christians and one of the most anticipated days of the year. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and many Christians celebrate it with family gatherings and church services, which may include seasonal songs, skits, and activities for the entire congregation. Read on to learn more about Christmas worship services.
A Christmas service in a church is a time for members and former members of the congregation to come home for the holiday. Whether it's an annual tradition or not, the community spirit is just as important as the sermons. It's an excellent opportunity to welcome inactive members of the congregation and make them feel like part of the community.
Traditions in Spain
Most Spaniards regard Christmas Eve as the most important day of the year. This is the only day during which the streets are deserted, bars and restaurants close, and the action moves indoors. Christmas dinners start around 11pm or midnight, and twenty to thirty members of a family may gather together to eat.
Among the Spanish traditions on Christmas Day is the nativity scene, or crib. This tradition dates back to the days when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem, and is still celebrated today. Some families make elaborate tableaux scenes, while others simply show the manger scene. These scenes are made using half-broken figurines, papier-mache, mirrors, and seeds. Some families also make a special box, known as the Belen, filled with gifts.
Origins of Santa Claus
The legend of Santa Claus originated in the Netherlands. It is believed that Saint Nicholas made his way to the country on a horse or steamboat. Dutch children place their shoes on the hearth on December 5 in hopes of receiving sweet treats from St. Nicholas. The name "Santa Claus" comes from the Dutch name of Saint Nicholas, Sinter Klaas, which translates as "good spirit." This tradition became popular when New York Historical Society member John Pintard started printing woodcuts of St. Nicholas and his elves. These images have become iconic and have continued to grow over the centuries.
Although St. Nicholas has a more modern meaning, many of his traditions have their roots in early Christian traditions. The tradition of giving presents on Christmas Eve evolved from the traditions of Saint Nicholas. Originally, the gift-giver was known as Kris Kringle, a Dutch or English character. In 1881, Thomas Nast illustrated the first Santa Claus, and Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." In Russia, a similar figure emerged, Ded Moroz. However, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 7 January.