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.