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THE HISTORY OF
CHRISTMAS In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many
pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in
many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them
out. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival
dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th
to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with
flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and
masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses
presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and
many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such
practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas. |
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TRADITIONS-CHRISTMAS TREES The Christmas tree has gone through a long process of development rich in many legends, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, with the Springfield Extension Center. King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas. The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrived, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death. The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life. Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and placed evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits. Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions. Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. Until about 1700, the use of Christmas trees appears to have been confined to the Rhine River District. From 1700 on, when lights were accepted as part of the decorations, the Christmas tree was well on its way to becoming a tradition in Germany. The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio. But the custom spread slowly. The Puritans banned Christmas in New England. Even as late as 1851, a Cleveland minister nearly lost his job because he allowed a tree in his church. Schools in Boston stayed open on Christmas Day through 1870, and sometimes expelled students who stayed home. The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when Catskill farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal. Christmas tree farms sprang up during the depression. Nurserymen couldn't sell their evergreens for landscaping, so they cut them for Christmas trees. Cultivated trees were preferred because they have a more symmetrical shape then wild ones. Six species account for about 90 percent of the nation's Christmas tree trade. Scotch pine ranks first, comprising about 40 percent of the market, followed by Douglas fir which accounts for about 35 percent. The other big sellers are noble fir, white pine, balsam fir and white spruce. |
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TRADITIONS-GLASS
ORNAMENTS It is from Germany that we today get many of our customs, songs, images of Santa, pine trees and European hand blow glass ornaments. How these traditions traveled to England is interesting. Queen Victoria often visited relatives in Germany in the town of Coburg and while there she fell in love with a young Prince Albert. After they got married they returned to England to raise their family. The tree that Price Albert provided his family was admired by all in England. This tree was decorated in the finest of hand blown glass ornaments. Since everyone liked the Queen they copied her Christmas customs including the Christmas tree and ornaments. A F. W. Woolworth brought the glass ornament tradition to the United States in 1890. From 1870's to 1930's, Germans made the finest molds for making ornaments with nearly 5,000 different molds at the time. At the turn of the century there were over one
hundred small cottage glass blowing workshops in Europe. Today only two
respected German factory teams are capable of producing ornaments to the
precise specifications of the Christopher Radko collection. |
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ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS
CARDS Christmas cards originated in England over 150 years ago. "You cannot reach perfection though you try however hard to there's always one more friend or so you should have sent a card to," wrote Richard Armour. Sir Henry Cole knew exactly what Armour was saying. The founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London had so many Christmas greetings to send that handwriting them
was impossible. Yet he wanted to make his friends aware of the need to
help the destitute on that holiday. Legend says Sir Henry didn't send any cards the
following year, but the custom became popular anyway. Most were elaborate , decorated with fringe, silk and satin. Some were shaped liked fans and crescents; others were cut into the shapes of bells, birds, candles and even plum puddings. Some folded like maps or fitted together as
puzzles; other squealed or squeaked. Pop-up Cards reveled tiny mangers
or skaters with flying scarves gliding around a mirrored pond. In 1875, Louis Prang, a German immigrant to the U.S., opened a lithographic shop with $250 and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards. His initial creations featured flowers and birds, unrelated to the Christmas scene. By 1881, Prang was producing more than five million Christmas cards each year. His Yuletide greetings began to feature snow scenes, fir trees, glowing fireplaces and children playing with toys. His painstaking craftsmanship and lithographic printing have made his cards a favorite of collectors today. Christmas Cards have changed since the days of Sir Henry and Louis Prang. They now sport comics, jokes and clever verses. But those that picture timeless and simple settings such as excited children around a Christmas tree, Nativity scenes, nature scenes and carolers singing in the snow are still in the highest demand today. |
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WHO
EXACTLY IS SANTA CLAUS AND WHY DO WE GIVE SO FREELY DURING THE CHRISTMAS
HOLIDAY? A child’s belief in this particular spirit is as strong as their belief in world happiness and peace. If we could look at Santa Claus through the eyes of a child, we would probably see a man who makes people all over the world happy. To a child, just the thought of Santa Claus could make them overcome with silliness and giggles. Santa Claus brings a special happiness to children and adults throughout the holiday season. The belief in one man delivering
joy is strong enough to make some people forget their problems or anger
and feel peace, even if it is just for one day. The story of Santa Claus supposedly originated overseas where a man named St. Nicholas would give candy and small toys to children each year on the night before Christmas. The children would leave their shoes out on their front porch and in the morning they would find their shoes filled with candy and toys.
In the United States though, this spirit is known
as Santa Claus. In other countries, Santa Claus is known by other names
associated with the stories told in each country. When the children awaken, they find all of the gifts that Santa Claus has left them. Most children who know the tale of Santa Claus believe that if they are on their best behavior all year long then they will receive whatever gifts they ask for. Some even go as far as mailing a
letter to Santa Claus containing their wish list of presents. Then upon
Christmas morning, they are surprised to open most of what they had
asked for. Adults love to see the expression
on their children’s faces as they see the presents under the tree on
Christmas morning. It gives them a feeling of happiness. The belief in Santa Claus is that strong, especially among children. Adults might not necessarily believe in the man but they do believe in the spirit. To believe in Santa Claus is to believe in giving, love and unselfishness. Christmas time is the one time each year where almost everyone all over the world gives to one another. It is the season of unselfishness. So the spirit of Santa Claus is the spirit of love. Written by Lorraine C Gallagher |
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CREATED © October, 2004 WWW.WITTICISMSINK.COM |
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