The document provides a detailed history of Christmas traditions from the birth of Jesus Christ to modern celebrations. It describes how Christmas has evolved over time from a religious holiday commemorating Jesus's birth to include secular traditions like Santa Claus delivering gifts, decorating trees, and exchanging gifts. The document also explores how different cultures around the world celebrate Christmas through traditions like caroling, feasts, lights, and gift giving.
All that you need to know about the festival Christmas
Christmas History-
Christmas is one of the most popular festivals around the world.
The approaching winter season indicates us that Christmas is around and we usually associate the winter with the Christmas celebration and with 25th December as the birth of Lord Christ
However the history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years and it tells us that celebration during the winter season were common, even way before the Christ was born.
It has been celebrated at different places for different reasons and date of the celebration was fixed to be 25th December quite later.
Christmas Eve-
The day is preceded by Christmas Eve, which falls on December 24, and followed by eleven days of the festival, ending on January 6.
On Christmas Eve, houses are cleaned from top to bottom and are decorated beautifully with lights and other lovely festoons
Planning dinners on Christmas Eve is a tradition that follows since a long time. Usually, a typical Christmas Eve is celebrated by organizing a family dinner or an elaborate meal
The main attraction and highlight of Christmas Eve is the arrival of the famous and everyone's favorite - the legendary character Santa Claus
The idea is to have fun and spread good cheer, on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Trivia
Holy represents the crown worn by Lord Jesus Christ, when he was crucified and the red color of the berries represents his blood.
Christmas is the season, when the world witnesses the maximum sale of diamonds.
Every year, during the Christmas season, more than a billion cards are sold in UK.
Rudolph, the legendary reindeer of Santa Claus, was a creation of Montgomery Ward. He created it for the purpose of a holiday promotion, in the late 1930s.
The world's tallest Christmas tree was erected in America, in 1950. The tree was as high as 76 m.
Candy canes, one of the popular sweet treats used for Christmas, originally were straight white sticks of sugar candy. They were used as an embellishment for Christmas tree. The ends of the candy were bent by Cologne Cathedral, to symbolize shepherd's crook
The word 'Christmas is an old English word and is a contracted version of 'Christ's Mass'.
The tradition of ringing church bells on Christmas morning dates back to the medieval times. The ringing bells symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ.
The tradition of gift-giving during Christmas has originated from the legendary characters of the Three Wise Men, who brought presents to Jesus, when he was born.
Many people believe that the legendary character Santa Claus is based on a real person named St. Nicholas. It is also believed that St. Nicholas brings in Christmas gifts, on the Eve of the festival.
Colours of Christmas
Main colors of Christmas are red and green. They are generally used with white, sparkling silver and gold to compliment them.
Rudolph has a bright red nose and is the favorite reindeer of all children.
All that you need to know about the festival Christmas
Christmas History-
Christmas is one of the most popular festivals around the world.
The approaching winter season indicates us that Christmas is around and we usually associate the winter with the Christmas celebration and with 25th December as the birth of Lord Christ
However the history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years and it tells us that celebration during the winter season were common, even way before the Christ was born.
It has been celebrated at different places for different reasons and date of the celebration was fixed to be 25th December quite later.
Christmas Eve-
The day is preceded by Christmas Eve, which falls on December 24, and followed by eleven days of the festival, ending on January 6.
On Christmas Eve, houses are cleaned from top to bottom and are decorated beautifully with lights and other lovely festoons
Planning dinners on Christmas Eve is a tradition that follows since a long time. Usually, a typical Christmas Eve is celebrated by organizing a family dinner or an elaborate meal
The main attraction and highlight of Christmas Eve is the arrival of the famous and everyone's favorite - the legendary character Santa Claus
The idea is to have fun and spread good cheer, on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Trivia
Holy represents the crown worn by Lord Jesus Christ, when he was crucified and the red color of the berries represents his blood.
Christmas is the season, when the world witnesses the maximum sale of diamonds.
Every year, during the Christmas season, more than a billion cards are sold in UK.
Rudolph, the legendary reindeer of Santa Claus, was a creation of Montgomery Ward. He created it for the purpose of a holiday promotion, in the late 1930s.
The world's tallest Christmas tree was erected in America, in 1950. The tree was as high as 76 m.
Candy canes, one of the popular sweet treats used for Christmas, originally were straight white sticks of sugar candy. They were used as an embellishment for Christmas tree. The ends of the candy were bent by Cologne Cathedral, to symbolize shepherd's crook
The word 'Christmas is an old English word and is a contracted version of 'Christ's Mass'.
The tradition of ringing church bells on Christmas morning dates back to the medieval times. The ringing bells symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ.
The tradition of gift-giving during Christmas has originated from the legendary characters of the Three Wise Men, who brought presents to Jesus, when he was born.
Many people believe that the legendary character Santa Claus is based on a real person named St. Nicholas. It is also believed that St. Nicholas brings in Christmas gifts, on the Eve of the festival.
Colours of Christmas
Main colors of Christmas are red and green. They are generally used with white, sparkling silver and gold to compliment them.
Rudolph has a bright red nose and is the favorite reindeer of all children.
Must watch Christmas Movies- Lifestyle
A Christmas Carol (1938)
'A Christmas Carol' is one of the all-time hits, based on the festival. Although the story told by 'A Christmas Carol' has been redone for a number of times, the version filmed in the movie has touched millions of hearts. It remains one of the classic Christmas movies. Produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and directed by Edwin L. Marin, Reginald Owen played the lead role of 'A Christmas Carol' (1938). The movie is an adaptation of Charles Dickens's novelette.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Another classic Christmas movie, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is a story about a man facing the hardships of life. The 1946 movie was produced and directed by Frank Capra, with the star cast including James Stewart and Donna Reed. The film is loosely based on the story "The Greatest Gift", authored by Philip Van Doren Stern. If you want to watch a family entertainer on Christmas, then this movie is what you need. The film is listed as one of the all-time hit Christmas movies.
A Christmas Story (1983)
To share lighter moments with your loved ones, you may watch a classic comedy, this Christmas. The Bob Clark film 'A Christmas Story' would serve the purpose. Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon fitted into the lead roles of the film. It is the narration of a young boy during the 1940s, which tells us his experience in the holidays, leading up to Christmas and ultimately, Christmas day itself. The story has been written in the point of view of the child.
Home Alone (1990)
'Home Alone', a Chris Columbus movie, is based on the adventures of a mischievous boy Kevin McCalister (Macaulay Culkin), alone at home during the holiday season, when his big family leaves for a vacation. Although the film doesn't depict any legendary character, nor does it tell a Christmas story, it gives you the feel of the festival. Thus, it makes itself one of the all-time hit Christmas movies. If you want to laugh out loudly with your family, then 'Home Alone' is a must-watch, during the festive season.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1994, the English movie 'The Santa Clause' is truly a family entertainer. The comedy flick features Tim Allen as a divorced father - Scott Calvin and his spoilt brat son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). The movie catches the real essence of Christmas and invokes the festive spirits in its audience. The legendary character Santa Claus is depicted in this movie. Hence, 'The Santa Clause is a must-watch during the holiday season.
The Story behind Santa Clause- Lifestyle
The matter of Santa Claus being a mythological character is often debatable. While some people claim that Santa was once a real character who has now been made fictional with mythological tales and stories, many others claim that Santa was never real and is the result of the commercialization of Christmas. Several similar characters are also popular in Europe and other parts of the world. Santa
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Homily: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday 2024.docxJames Knipper
Countless volumes have been written trying to explain the mystery of three persons in one true God, leaving us to resort to metaphors such as the three-leaf clover to try to comprehend the Divinity. Many of us grew up with the quintessential pyramidal Trinity structure of God at the top and Son and Spirit in opposite corners. But what if we looked at this ‘mystery’ from a different perspective? What if we shifted our language of God as a being towards the concept of God as love? What if we focused more on the relationship within the Trinity versus the persons of the Trinity? What if stopped looking at God as a noun…and instead considered God as a verb? Check it out…
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
1. The History of Christmas Christmas past, present and future By: Alexis and Katherine
2. The Real Reason For Christmas The reason we celebrate Christmas today, is not how we celebrated Christmas a long time ago. In fact, it has changed lots over the years. But, let’s talk about the real meaning of Christmas…..
3. The Beginning of Christmas In the time of King Herod, in the small town of Bethlehem, a baby boy was born to a young virgin. Little did she know, this child would be the Savior of all humanity; the only way the God. King Herod Born 74 BC Ruled: 37 BC - AD 4 Died- AD 4
4. The Angels Speak to Mary At around 6 BC in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, a young woman by the name of Mary was pledged to be married to a carpenter, Joseph. But before they were married the angel Gabriel came to Mary, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, pronounced that she would soon become pregnant. Gabriel then spoke, stating that the son in which she carried would be named “Jesus, because he will save His people from their sins.” It became clear that her first child would not be a ‘normal’ child; in fact, the baby would be the Son of God.
5. The Visit to Elizabeth Once Gabriel left her, Mary then went to stay with her cousin Elizabeth during the harvest. While there, though well past the age of childbearing, Elizabeth gave birth to a son who was later known as John the Baptist.
6. Joseph's Dream When hearing that his soon-to-be wife was pregnant with which he believed was another man’s child, Joseph decided he would divorce her quietly. But as soon as he decided this, the Holy Spirit came upon him in the dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”.
7. The Census Meanwhile, Caesar Augustus issued an order that a census should take place in the entire Roman empire. Because of this, Joseph and Mary were required to go to Bethlehem, for that was the birthplace of Joseph.
8. Born in the Manger When the census was issued, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Though because of the crowds for the census, there became no room at any inn, therefore Mary and Joseph were without shelter. Luckily, a kind man allowed the two to stay in his stable for the night and it was there that Mary gave birth to the King of all Kings.
9. The Three Magi According to legend, as Jesus is born, three magi from the east began to follow the star above the manger in order to worship the Christ. While on their journey, news of them traveled to King Herod, who immediately called upon the three to question them. Once hearing the news they brought, King Herod then told them to come to him when they found the Messiah. Eventually after the magi had seen Jesus, an angel spoke to the three magi warning them not to go to Herod for Herod truly had wanted to kill the Messiah. Filled with anger at the way the magi had outwitted him, Herod then issued an intrusion of Roman soldiers to kill all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem.
10. Starting To Switch Theories Over the years, people started to wonder if Jesus’s birthday was really the reason for Christmas. Famous scientist, Isaac Newton argued that Christmas was the turn of the winter solstice. Soon, people started celebrating Christmas as just a day to get together and have a feast. They also went caroling and decorating their houses. But soon, a man named Saint Nicholas changed Christmas’s meaning in a whole new way…
11. Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas was a good man. He lived in what is now Turkey. Nicholas had an urge to help the poor, and would live little gifts at their doorsteps, without showing his face. Before long, it became a tradition all around the world! Saint Nicholas is now called a name you’ve probably heard of….Santa Claus.
12. Santa Claus After Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus became a very big tradition. Parents started to tell their children a common story: “On Christmas Eve (December 24th ), Santa gets in his sleigh, and with the help of the reindeer, he jets off and flies around the world. He delivers all the Christmas gifts to all the good children, and takes a drink of the milk and a bite of their cookies. After he delivers all the gifts, he flies back home to the North Pole and he and the elves celebrate, and start preparing for next Christmas.” As you now, Santa is not real. It is of course the parents that deliver the gifts. But, it is a tradition, and it is celebrated differently around the world. Let’s find out how….
13. Christmas Around the World United States In the United States, Christmas is celebrated with Santa Claus, the reindeer and the annual giving of Christmas gifts. Families put up their Christmas trees and decorate them with ornaments, streamer, and folly. Many families also go around caroling to their neighbors. People also put Christmas lights on their house, and put up and nativity scene in their yards to remind people the real meaning of Christmas. Mexico In Mexico, people go around door to door in memory of when Joseph and Mary went door to door looking for a room to stay. The also break piñatas open and eat candy. Mexico’s Christmas last nine days, starting December 16th, and ending December 25th. Germany Germans celebrate Christmas in ways similar and unsimilar to America. On December 6th, Germans celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. On Christmas Eve, they give gifts and celebrate with friends or family. They tell their children that gifts were given by Saint Nicholas, who is like Santa Claus. They also put up Christmas Trees and Christmas lights to adorn their house for the holiday.
14. Christmas Around the World Australia Australia celebrates Christmas similar to the United States. They tell their children about Santa, and decorate the houses, but they live out Plum cake and liqueur for Santa Claus. Australians like to eat big meals in celebration of Christmas, and their meals include mince pies, trifle, plum pudding with brandy butter, Christmas crackers and candy canes. And because it is hot during Christmas in Australia, some meals include sea food such as crab, and any other fish. Nigeria In Nigeria, Christmas is a public holiday. Nigerians have many traditions to celebrate the Christmas holiday. On Christmas Eve, they eat foods such as lyan, eba, or amala., three times a day! They also eat whatever food is offered, because it is considered rude to decline food in Nigeria. They also decorate their compounds with Christmas lights and Christmas trees. Russia Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th . Even though they don’t celebrate Christmas on December 25th, they do have ‘Holy Supper’ on Christmas Eve. They celebrate the Holy Supper in honor of the 12 disciples. Russians also believe in Saint Nicholas, and fill their child’s shoes with candy.
15. A Christmas Video This Christmas Video is a common story that parent’s tell their children every year.
16. Common Christmas Food Here are a list of foods most American families enjoy at Christmas time: Candy Canes Eggnog Pot Roast Hot Chocolate Apple Cider Mixed Nuts Fruitcake Christmas Cookies Gingerbread Tea Cakes Pie Cranberry Sauce Plum Pudding Oyster Stew
17. Christmas Trees Every year at Christmas, families put up Christmas trees. These trees are decorated with ribbons, ornaments, stars, lights, etc. Here is a picture of Christmas Tree:
18. Fun things about Christmas There is more to Christmas that meets the eye….except for Christmas cards! Every year families send out Christmas cards saying Merry Christmas. Many Christmas cards include a picture of the family. Many friends like to exchange or give gifts at Christmas. A common tradition is ‘Secret Santa's’. Friends secretly give their friends gifts and do not tell them who it was that gave the gift. Like we said earlier, many families put out Nativity Scenes. Nativity Scenes were started to remind people of the real meaning of Christmas.
19. Reindeer You can’t talk about Christmas and not talk about reindeer. Reindeer are the animals believed to fly Santa’s sleigh, led by the famous Rudolph, ‘the red nosed reindeer’. Reindeer are pictured as deer with larger antlers that can of course fly.
20. MERRY CHRISTMAS! CHRIST So we’ve talked about Jesus' birth, Santa Claus, Christmas traditions, Christmas foods, Caroling, and reindeer. To close, let us tell you one thing: Merry Christmas!