In North America the pre-Christmas role of the Christian saint Nicholas was transformed, under the influence of the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (or “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), into the increasingly central role of Santa Claus as the source of Christmas gifts for the family. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city’s first police force in response to a Christmas riot. His mother was a young woman called Mary, who was engaged, but not yet married to a carpenter called Joseph. The main pre-Christmas celebration was the Feast of St. Nicholas on 6 December.
Süßer Anhänger für den Weihnachtsbaum in Form eines Dackels. Traditionally a silver coin would be stirred into the pudding, to bring luck to the person who found it. Many people would go back to work but employers would give gifts of money to their workers.
Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd ...read more, Long before the advent of Christmas—and even before the birth of Christ—ancient civilizations embraced evergreen boughs, wreaths and garlands as symbols of eternal life amid the darkest days of the winter solstice. Some Christians, like Jehovah's Witnesses, do not celebrate Christmas because there is no instruction from Jesus in the Bible which tells Christians to celebrate his birth. All these parts of the Christmas story are remembered and celebrated in different ways at Christmas: in pictures, songs, plays, stories and in models that are called "cribs", "creches" or "presepe". Some towns have a tradition of carols with a choir and entertainers in the town hall, while in Australia and New Zealand, these concerts of Christmas entertainment and carols are usually held outdoors, in parks or even on beaches, with families bringing picnics. In Ethiopia, where Christianity has had a home ever since the 4th century, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church celebrates Christmas on January 7. Many cities and towns celebrate Christmas by putting up decorations.
Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. Girls holding candles and singing in front of a Christmas tree in Seoul. There are often several courses, with special treats that are usually only eaten at Christmas. The first scene of this type was set up by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. Then as now, Yuletide traditions ran deep, and the 36-year-old once again undertook the annual ritual of decorating the parlor of his Manhattan home with ...read more. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. Both Western and Eastern churches celebrate Epiphany or Three Kings Day 12 days after their own respective Christmases. In North America the centrality of the morning of the 25th of December as the time for the family to open presents has led, with the exception of Catholic and some Lutheran and Episcopal churches, to the virtual end of holding church services on that day, a striking illustration of the way societal customs influence liturgical practices. Traditionally, the presents are not big, and are sometimes hidden, or have a funny joke or poem that must be read. Shop windows are often decorated with Christmas scenes, with large department stores often having animated scenes to entertain children. Those people who cannot travel often make long-distance phone calls on Christmas Day. With the spread of Christianity beyond Europe and North America, the celebration of Christmas was transferred to societies throughout the non-Western world. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. It is a time for people to prepare themselves for two different things: for the coming of the baby Jesus and Christmas, and for the second coming of Jesus, when he shall rule over all the Earth in peace. The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. While both name and attire—a version of the traditional dress of bishop—of Santa Claus reveal his Christian roots, and his role of querying children about their past behaviour replicates that of St. Nicholas, he is seen as a secular figure. you can share pictures of you’re Christmas stashes. The actual observance of the day of Jesus’ birth was long in coming. Santa Claus would traditionally fill the socks or shoes with nuts, raisins, chocolates and an orange. In most homes when Christmas is celebrated, people set up a Christmas tree in the house. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Omissions? In Australia, where people attend open-air concerts of Christmas carols and have their Christmas dinner on the beach, Santa Claus wears red swimming trunks as well as a white beard. In South and Central America, unique religious and secular traditions mark the Christmas celebration. His name was often shortened to Sante Claus, or Santa Claus in English. Benson and adopted at the University of Cambridge, has become widely popular. Many people decorate their homes at Christmas time. Contemporary customs in Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas, Undiscovered Scotland - Christmas and Hogmanay, Christmas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Christmas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (or “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. Another tradition has become linked to this one, and the result is the tradition of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as he is sometimes called, and who is nowadays thought by many children to be the bringer of presents and happiness. The practice of giving gifts, which goes back to the 15th century, contributed to the view that Christmas was a secular holiday focused on family and friends. A German tradition is pfeffernuss, spiced cookies rolled in powdered sugar. This includes the performance of classical music such as Handel's Messiah as well as orchestral concerts and band recitals. Because Advent was a time of prayer and preparation, most parties were held after Christmas, rather than before it. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking. Many Christmas traditions, such as decorating trees, started in Germany and later spread to other parts of the world, notably England and the United States. In the US, the Christmas displays are put up right after Thanksgiving, late in November. All About Christmas has 24,103 members. Moreover, in countries such as Austria and Germany, the connection between the Christian festival and the family holiday is made by identifying the Christ Child as the giver of gifts to the family. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. In Mexico, on days leading up to Christmas, the search of Mary and Joseph for a place to stay is reenacted, and children try to break a piñata filled with toys and candy.
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