BriefIntroductionofChristmas.doc

Brief Introduction of ChristmasThe Origin of ChristmasChristmas or Christmas Day is an annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25, however, this date is not known to be Jesus actual birthday, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived. The birth of Jesus had a story：In Nazareth，a city of GalileeThe vIrgins name was Mary was betrothed to JosephBefore they came together，she was found with child of the Holy SpiritJoseph，her husband was minded to put her away secretlyWhile he thought about these things，Gabriel，an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told hIm did not be afraid to take Mary as wifeAnd Mary，will bring forth a Son，and he shall call his name，Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins Before Jesus birthsJoseph and Mary came to Quintus was governing SyriaSo all went to be registered，everyone to his own cityJoseph also went up out of Galileeout of the city of Nazarethinto Judea，to the city of Davidwhich iS called Bethlehem，because he was of the house and of the lineage of David，to be registered with Mary。his betrothed wife，who was with childSo it was that while they were therethe days were completed for her to be deliveredAnd she brought forth her firstborn Sonand wrapped him in swaddling clothsand laid him in a mangerbecause there was no room for them jn the jnnAnd thatChristmas IS the feast of the nativity of Jesusis on 25th，December every yearBut no know the acluaI birthday of JesusAnd the Christmas has become popular when Christmas cards appeared in 1 846 and the concept of a joily Santa Claus was first made popular in nineteenth CenturyAlthough Christmas is a traditional religion, many of the festivities of Christmas do have nothing to do with itExchanging gifts and sending Christmas cards are the modern ways of celebrating the Christmas in the world. Santa ClausSt. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century AD in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we dont know if any of them are true! There was a poor man who had three daughters. He was so poor, he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldnt get married. Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house (This meant that the oldest daughter was then able to be married.). The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter. Finally, they determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold. Nicholas begged the man to not tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nicholas. Because of his kindness Nicholas was made a Saint. St. Nicholas is not only the saint of children but also of sailors! But how St. Nicholas became Santa Claus? In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and traditions about St.Nicholas became very unpopular.But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the U.K., he became Father Christmas, a character from old childrens stories; in France, he was then known as Pre Nel; in Germany, the Christ Kind. In the early U.S.A. his name was Kris Kringle. Later, Dutch settlers in the USA took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became Sinterklass or as we now say Santa Claus!Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas Day on 6th December. In Holland and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaass horse, they will be left some sweets.St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories.Christmas TreeChristmas tree (which is also called Jesse trees) first started in medieval times and are used to help tell the story of the Bible from creation to the Christmas Story. The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of the great Jewish King David. A branch is a sign of new life and new beginnings. Jesus was a decedent of King David and Christians believe that Jesus is this new branch.The first Jesse trees were large carvings, tapestries or even stained glass windows put in Churches that helped illiterate people (people who cant read or write) to learn about the bible from creation to the Christmas Story. But now Jesse Trees are used as a kind of Advent Calendar. You can use a normal Christmas tree or a banner in the shape of a tree. Each day through advent (or sometimes just on the four Sundays of advent) a special decoration or ornament (similar to a Chrismon), that tells a story from the Bible is hung on the tree.Christmas CardsThe custom of sending Christmas cards started in the U.K. in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He was a civil servant (Government worker) who was very interested in the new Public Post Office and wondered how it could be used more by ordinary people. The first cards usually had pictures of the Nativity scene on them. In late Victorian times, robins (an English bird) and snow-scenes became popular because the postmen in that time were nicknamed Robin Postmen because of the red uniforms they wore. Nowadays, cards have all sorts of pictures on them: jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times. Charities often sell their own Christmas Cards as a way raising money at Christmas.Christmas BellsBells, especially Church Bells, have been associated with Christmas for a long time. In the Anglican and Catholic churches, they are often rung to signal the start of the first service of Christmas day. In some churches in the U.K., it is traditional that the largest bell in the church is rung four times in the hour before midnight and then at midnight all the bells are rung in celebration. In Victorian times, it was very fashionable to go carol singing with small handbells to play the tune of the carol. Some times there would only be the bells and no singing! Handbell ringing is still popular today.Christmas PresentAll over the world, families and friends give presents to each other. Most children around the world believe St. Nicholas, Santa Claus or Father Christmas brings them presents, but in Germany they believe that it is the Christkind, in Spain they believe it is the Wise Men and in Italy they believe it is an old lady called Befana.These presents are also left in different places! In most of Europe, the presents are left in shoes or boots put out by the children. In Italy, the U.K. and the U.S.A. presents are left in stockings, often left hanging by a fire place. In many countries, presents for friends and family may be left under the Christmas Tree. In the UK, they are often opened on Christmas day morning with all the family together.The Colors of ChristmasGreenEvergreen plants, like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and that winter wouldnt last forever!Now the most common use of green at Christmas are Christmas Trees.RedAs mentioned above, an early use of red at Christmas was the apples on the paradise tree. They represented the fall of Adam in the plays.Red is also the color of Holly berries, which is said to represent the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross.Red is also the color of Bishops robes. These would have been worn by St Nicholas and then also became Santas uniform!GoldGold is the color of the Sun and light - both very important in the dark winter. Its also the color of fire that you need to keep you warm.Gold was also one of the presents brought t