There are many customs and traditions surrounding Christmas. American customs come from many places. Santa Clause has a Dutch origin. He is said to bring gifts for children who have been good throughout the year. The idea that Santa came down the chimney, originated in Norway, where children hung stockings on the fire-place mantel. Christmas trees have Pagan origin. When Pagans became Christians they decorated evergreen trees, and danced around them singing carols. Christmas colors are red and green. Today, traditional Christmas celebration includes caroling, exchanging gifts and cards, and enjoying festive dinners and parties. Below are symbols of Christmas, their origin and significance.
Angels: No figures in the Bible are as delightful as the angels. According to the Bible, angels are messengers of God. They are supposed to be immortal spirits, who are said to live in heaven, and are also thought to be intermediaries of God, and our link to the mystical kingdom of heaven. Angels play an important role in the celebration of Christmas. They are said to have brought the news of peace, joy and goodwill, through the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, an angel gift from God to all the people of Earth. Today, angels are figured in many homes. Angel ornaments adorn the Christmas Tree, and also other gifts.
Carols: In the days before Christmas, children and adults would go from house to house singing carols. The word carol came from an old French word originally referred to a ring dance accompanied by songs. But today carols are sung only during Christmas. ?O little town of Bethlehem?; ?Hark! The Herald angels sing?; ?Silent Night, Holy Night?; ?Jingle Bells?, are a few popular carols
Christmas Tree: The Christmas Tree probably developed in medieval Germany from the ?Paradise Tree?, a type of evergreen tree. This tree, decorated with red apples was used in a popular Christmas play about Adam and Eve. Today the Christmas Tree is a part of every Christmas celebration. Decorations include tinsel, bright ornaments, sweets and gifts. A star is mounted on the top of the tree. It represents the star that led the Three Wise Men to the stable in Bethlehem, where child Jesus was born.
Christmas Colors: The traditional colors of Christmas are red and green. Green represents the continuance of life through the winter, and the Christians belief in eternal life through Jesus Christ. Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at the time of crucifixion. Christmas decorations that feature these colors are the Christmas tree, the Christmas Wreath, Holly and the Mistletoe.
Santa Clause: Santa Clause(St. Nicholas) is a symbol of gift-giving. Legend says that he brought presents to children during the eve of 6th December. With Reformation, now the date has been shifted to the eve of 24th December. But many European countries mark the coming of Santa on the 6th of December. For several weeks before Christmas, children write letters to Santa, telling him what they would like to receive from him. The custom of hanging stockings probably developed from these traditions.
Christmas foods: Earlier customs says, people roasted pigs and boar over large open fires. Today roasted chicken and turkey is the most common main course. Fruit cakes, mince meat pies and pumpkin pies are favorite Christmas desserts. Plum puddings and home-brewed wine are popular eating customs today.
Holly: This is an evergreen tree with sharply pointed glossy leaves and bright red berries. The needle-like points of the leaves were thought to resemble the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The red berries symbolized the blood he shed.
Mistletoe: This is another evergreen plant with dark leaves and shiny white berries. Ancient Celtic priests considered the plant sacred and gave people springs of it to use as charms. The custom of decorating homes with mistletoe probably came from its use as a ceremonial plant by early Europeans.
Christmas Cards: The first Christmas card was created in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley, an English illustrator. It resembled a post card that showed a large family enjoying a Christmas celebration. The message on the card read, ?Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year?. This custom from then has spread world-wide.
An excellent idea is to plan events around the things you feel you want or need to do for the holidays. Most people choose to shop, decorate, make a meal, and some also bake. All these things can be simplified in a way that enhances your enjoyment. You might, for example, choose a day to do holiday baking with your best friend. Put on Christmas music while you bake and talk. Sharing work with others can make it fun. If it's only you doing it, and it feels like work to you, don't feel you need to do it. The world will not come tumbling down if you don't make rum balls that everyone eats but no one will help you bake. If they want them, pull out the recipe for them and let them make it.
You can, if you like, make it a tradition that your whole family goes shopping on a certain day. Many people shop the day after Thanksgiving, then have a nice dinner and perhaps go to the movies. Mixing fun with work makes holiday chores feel better. All holiday tasks are made easier by making them the enjoyable part of your holiday celebrations, so rethink how you can do these things so that they are fun.
Choose a date for your holiday decorating. If it can't be done in a day, it may be too much. Don't do it alone; make it a family event or invite friends. For many, the day to decorate is the day after Thanksgiving.
Ask yourself, if you were to choose only three ways to decorate, what would they be? I would suggest one of those things be something you find welcoming as you come home. This may be holiday lights. How might you use one or two strings of lights or one item to make you feel really good coming home? This is how you simplify your decorating. Find the things you notice most, a focus in on those.
If you decide to have a tree, why not make it a family or friend event to decorate it? Choose well in advance an afternoon when you and others can get a tree, put it up, and decorate it. Perhaps you would like a tree with lights only, or a pre-lighted artificial tree, as this would simplify your decorating. Nowhere is it written that you have to decorate or do anything your neighbors do or your family has done. Do only those things you will enjoy.
Don't forget holiday tradition need not be about shopping or decorating at all. You may like to have a tradition of going for a winter hike, skating, or visiting a museum. Some people love to volunteer around the holidays.
One of the best ways to deal with holiday meals is to put everyone in charge of one dish or setting the table, and everyone can participate in clean up. Even non-cooks can be responsible for one item, and you can be specific about when they should have it done. Decide your menu on December first and clue everyone in to their part. You might even decide to plan the meal together. It may be you will find people all too willing to make their favorite dish. As an option you can choose simple recipes that use only five ingredients or less. Choose the day for the grocery shopping and allow everyone to make their own list of ingredients. Gathering and copying your favorite dozen holiday recipes in one folder can make this task easier.
A simplified Christmas is much about shifting your attitudes. The principles of a simplified Christmas are: do things earlier, choose only to do the essential, enjoy it as you go along, and share the work. Follow these principles and you will have an enjoyable and simplified Christmas.
Both Sean Carter & Cd Mohatta are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sean Carter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Vegetarian Diet, Basketball and Wedding Bells. Sean Carter writes on holidays, and world events. He also writes on family, relationships, Christmas, religion, love and friendsh. Sean Carter's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
Cd Mohatta has sinced written about articles on various topics from Halloween Costumes, Careers and Job Hunting and Family Concerns. Users of myspace, friendster, hi5, orkut, etc, click for and. Cd Mohatta's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.