Generally we know Christmas is a biggest festival of the Christians. Now it has a special significance in everyone’s life. It is the day for fun and joy to one & all. Christmas is celebrated every year on 25t
h December the birth of Jesus Christ who the great son of God. Jesus came upon the earth to teach us the lessons of love, affection, goodness and kindness. Jesus Christ is the founder of the Christian religion. Now Christmas is celebrated globally. But it is differ from one country tradition to another. According to American people: “Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”
h December the birth of Jesus Christ who the great son of God. Jesus came upon the earth to teach us the lessons of love, affection, goodness and kindness. Jesus Christ is the founder of the Christian religion. Now Christmas is celebrated globally. But it is differ from one country tradition to another. According to American people: “Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.” Everybody says Merry Christmas to everyone. Actually the meaning of Merr
y Christmas is that “Merry” means festive or cheerful. Most widely we say peaceful or blessed. The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ”. Later it changed “Christ-mass”. The shorter form of this X-mass. X-mass the word first used in Europe in the 1500s. X-mass is derived from Greek alphabet. Therefore, wishing someone merry Christmas is truly wishing them a peaceful or blessed “Mass of Christ”. Christmas is also known as Yule Tide Noel , winter Pascha.
Present dynamic days it include gift giving (among friends & family members), Church celebrations, exchange of Christmas cards, singing Carols and the display of various decorations including the Christmas tree lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes and holly.
Christmas in India:
Christmas is also known as Bada Din (The Big Day). It is a state holiday. Actually in India only 2.3% of the population are Christians. This day people go to a church to participate in mass prayers organized by
the church to offer their thanks to Lord JESUS for their happiness. People greet each and everyone at the church & take the blessings from their Father. Christmas is officially celebrated at the Rastrapati Bhavan by the President of India. This day is celebrated among Christians as Diwali is celebrated by Hindus. People decorate their homes with clay lamps, special carols are sung by the group. Sometimes Mango leaves and Banana tree are also used to decorate the house. Also this day is well celebrated in Bengal and South India where the Christian population is relatively high.
Santa Claus:
Santa Claus is the most popular Christmas icon in the world. Santa is looks like as a fat, white bearded man wearing a red coat, carrying a bagful of gifts, jolly and flying in a sleig
h pulled by reindeers. The history of Santa Claus begins with a man called Saint Nicholas, who is believed to have been born bound 280AD. In Patara near Myra (now it is Turkey).
Santa Claus is also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Pere Noel, Joulupukki, Babbo Natale, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil and Father Frost. The first popular image of Santa Claus was sketched by the German American Cartoonist Thomas Wast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880’s Nasta’s Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920’s. It is believed that on the night of Christmas Eve. Santa Claus secretly brings gifts especially for the children.
There are several theories behind how his name transformed from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. (added):
Some say that as
“Santa” comes from the word “Saint” and “Claus” is an abbreviation for the name Nicholas in Germany, thus – “Santa Claus” came into existence.
Santa Claus is believed to fly in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeers.
The eight reindeers are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dixen, Comet, Cupid, Donor, Blitzen.
Rudolf was not part of the original reindeer but came later from the song - Rudolf the red nosed reindeer.
Christmas Tree and its Origin (Why Christmas tree always decorated?):
The Christmas tree is the mostly used decoration found mainly in many Christian families In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word
of God. He did a lot of good work there, and spent much time in Thuringia, a palace which was to go down in history as the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry.
Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.
The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his little ones how the stars twinkled through the dark night. (Added)
Christmas decorations:
December onwards, it is impossible to forget that Christmas is coming. Coloured lights decorate many town cen
ters and shops, along with shiny decorations and artificial snow painted on shop windows. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. As a part of their celebration they give Christmas gifts to their family members and token of money to poor people as charity. People decorate their houses and churches with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. In South India, the Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival called Diwali.
Christmas Cards:
There is a custom of sending Christmas cards during Christmas to friends and relatives. This custom started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began and is followed among various communities in many countries. These cards are usually exchanged during the weeks proceeding Christmas Day on December25 by many people (also non- Christian) in Western Society & Asia. Th
e greeting reads “Wishing you a Merry Christmas like Happy New Year” much like the first commercial Christmas card. These cards produced by Sir Henry Cole in London 1843. These cards generally designed and purchased for the occasion of Christmas. Christmas cards showed religious pictures like Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.
Christmas Stamps:
Christmas stamps are looking very very beautiful and excellent.They are as follows--
Christmas Food:
Holiday food is cooked with great passion, and families relish the delectable meals together during the holidays. Holiday food is enjoyed by each and everyone. Christmas foods like:
Christmas cookies,
ginger bread,
Christmas Turkey,
eggnog,
Christmas Pudding,
cheese log,
apple cider
and much more makes your mouth water.
Christmas Carols:
St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas Carols to formal church services. Th
e word comes from the ancient Greek 'choros', which means "dancing in a circle", and from the Old French word carole, meaning "a song to accompany dancing". The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar. The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh". It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas. (added)
Christmas Facts:
There are some interesting facts about Christmas that many people believe in.
• These facts will certainly arouse your interest: In Ukraine, finding a spider web on Christmas morning, is supposed to be very lucky and auspicious. According to a Ukraine folk tale there once lived a woman so poor, that she could not afford Christmas decorations for her family. One Christmas morning, she awoke to find that spiders had trimmed her children’s tree with their webs. When the morning sun shone on them, the webs turned to silver and gold. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees.
• On the day of Christmas it is considered sacred to exchange kisses beneath mistletoe tree. Mistletoe was once considered the symbol of peace and friendship. That is why kissing one’s loved one on the day of Christmas is considered merry for the relationship.
• “Klaxon”, the name of one of Santa’s reindeer is actually the name of an electric horn. It has been derived from German origin.
• In many households there is a tradition of hiding some ornament or article in the pudding. What one finds in the pudding signifies upcoming fortune. For Example, finding a ring signifies marriage, finding a coin means wealth is on the way and many such articles are associated with different meanings.
• The poinsetti
a is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
• The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present with your name on it, you keep it; otherwise, you put it back and try again.
• One of the popular decoration ideas used especially in Sweden is Julbukk. It refers to a goat. These models are made of straw and signify stars, angels.
Christmas is observed with an open heart. It is a day of parties, friends, relative gift exchanging fun and laughter. It is a wonderful day for children as their desires without any chiding. It can be a time of magic & excitement for children. Lastly say that it is the spirit of joy and goodwill and hope pervade everywhere. “May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. Christmas is the time of giving & sharing. It is the time of loving & forgiving Merry Christmas to Everyone.”
y Christmas is that “Merry” means festive or cheerful. Most widely we say peaceful or blessed. The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ”. Later it changed “Christ-mass”. The shorter form of this X-mass. X-mass the word first used in Europe in the 1500s. X-mass is derived from Greek alphabet. Therefore, wishing someone merry Christmas is truly wishing them a peaceful or blessed “Mass of Christ”. Christmas is also known as Yule Tide Noel , winter Pascha.Present dynamic days it include gift giving (among friends & family members), Church celebrations, exchange of Christmas cards, singing Carols and the display of various decorations including the Christmas tree lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes and holly.
Christmas in India:
Christmas is also known as Bada Din (The Big Day). It is a state holiday. Actually in India only 2.3% of the population are Christians. This day people go to a church to participate in mass prayers organized by
the church to offer their thanks to Lord JESUS for their happiness. People greet each and everyone at the church & take the blessings from their Father. Christmas is officially celebrated at the Rastrapati Bhavan by the President of India. This day is celebrated among Christians as Diwali is celebrated by Hindus. People decorate their homes with clay lamps, special carols are sung by the group. Sometimes Mango leaves and Banana tree are also used to decorate the house. Also this day is well celebrated in Bengal and South India where the Christian population is relatively high.Santa Claus:
Santa Claus is the most popular Christmas icon in the world. Santa is looks like as a fat, white bearded man wearing a red coat, carrying a bagful of gifts, jolly and flying in a sleig
h pulled by reindeers. The history of Santa Claus begins with a man called Saint Nicholas, who is believed to have been born bound 280AD. In Patara near Myra (now it is Turkey).Santa Claus is also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Pere Noel, Joulupukki, Babbo Natale, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil and Father Frost. The first popular image of Santa Claus was sketched by the German American Cartoonist Thomas Wast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880’s Nasta’s Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920’s. It is believed that on the night of Christmas Eve. Santa Claus secretly brings gifts especially for the children.
There are several theories behind how his name transformed from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. (added):
Some say that as
“Santa” comes from the word “Saint” and “Claus” is an abbreviation for the name Nicholas in Germany, thus – “Santa Claus” came into existence. Santa Claus is believed to fly in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeers.
The eight reindeers are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dixen, Comet, Cupid, Donor, Blitzen.
Rudolf was not part of the original reindeer but came later from the song - Rudolf the red nosed reindeer.
Christmas Tree and its Origin (Why Christmas tree always decorated?):
The Christmas tree is the mostly used decoration found mainly in many Christian families In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word
of God. He did a lot of good work there, and spent much time in Thuringia, a palace which was to go down in history as the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry.Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.
The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his little ones how the stars twinkled through the dark night. (Added)
Christmas decorations:
December onwards, it is impossible to forget that Christmas is coming. Coloured lights decorate many town cen
ters and shops, along with shiny decorations and artificial snow painted on shop windows. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. As a part of their celebration they give Christmas gifts to their family members and token of money to poor people as charity. People decorate their houses and churches with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. In South India, the Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival called Diwali.
Christmas Cards:
There is a custom of sending Christmas cards during Christmas to friends and relatives. This custom started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began and is followed among various communities in many countries. These cards are usually exchanged during the weeks proceeding Christmas Day on December25 by many people (also non- Christian) in Western Society & Asia. Th
e greeting reads “Wishing you a Merry Christmas like Happy New Year” much like the first commercial Christmas card. These cards produced by Sir Henry Cole in London 1843. These cards generally designed and purchased for the occasion of Christmas. Christmas cards showed religious pictures like Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.Christmas Stamps:
Christmas stamps are looking very very beautiful and excellent.They are as follows--
Christmas Food:
Holiday food is cooked with great passion, and families relish the delectable meals together during the holidays. Holiday food is enjoyed by each and everyone. Christmas foods like:
Christmas cookies,
ginger bread,
Christmas Turkey,
eggnog,
Christmas Pudding,
cheese log,
apple cider
and much more makes your mouth water.
Christmas Carols:
St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas Carols to formal church services. Th
e word comes from the ancient Greek 'choros', which means "dancing in a circle", and from the Old French word carole, meaning "a song to accompany dancing". The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar. The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh". It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas. (added)Christmas Facts:
There are some interesting facts about Christmas that many people believe in.
• These facts will certainly arouse your interest: In Ukraine, finding a spider web on Christmas morning, is supposed to be very lucky and auspicious. According to a Ukraine folk tale there once lived a woman so poor, that she could not afford Christmas decorations for her family. One Christmas morning, she awoke to find that spiders had trimmed her children’s tree with their webs. When the morning sun shone on them, the webs turned to silver and gold. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees.
• On the day of Christmas it is considered sacred to exchange kisses beneath mistletoe tree. Mistletoe was once considered the symbol of peace and friendship. That is why kissing one’s loved one on the day of Christmas is considered merry for the relationship.
• “Klaxon”, the name of one of Santa’s reindeer is actually the name of an electric horn. It has been derived from German origin.
• In many households there is a tradition of hiding some ornament or article in the pudding. What one finds in the pudding signifies upcoming fortune. For Example, finding a ring signifies marriage, finding a coin means wealth is on the way and many such articles are associated with different meanings.
• The poinsetti
a is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".• The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present with your name on it, you keep it; otherwise, you put it back and try again.
• One of the popular decoration ideas used especially in Sweden is Julbukk. It refers to a goat. These models are made of straw and signify stars, angels.
Christmas is observed with an open heart. It is a day of parties, friends, relative gift exchanging fun and laughter. It is a wonderful day for children as their desires without any chiding. It can be a time of magic & excitement for children. Lastly say that it is the spirit of joy and goodwill and hope pervade everywhere. “May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. Christmas is the time of giving & sharing. It is the time of loving & forgiving Merry Christmas to Everyone.”
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