History of the Holiday Christmas Day is observed

History of the Holiday Christmas Day is observed on the 25th of December. In Britain this day was a festival long before the conversion to Christianity. The English historian the Venerable Bede relates that the ancient peoples of Angli began the year on the 25th of December, and the very night was called ‘mother’s night’. In 1644 the English puritans forbade the keeping of Christmas by Act of Parliament, on the grounds that it was a heathen festival. At the Restoration Charles II revived the feast. Though religion in Britain has been steadily losing ground and Christmas has practically no religious significance for the majority of the population of modern Britain, it is still the most widely celebrated festival in all its parts except Scotland. Christmas is undoubtedly the most colourful holiday of the year, and, moreover one that has always been, even in days when most people were practising Christians, a time for eating, drinking and making merry.

Christmas Tree One of the legents saysthat Martin Luther first put candles on an evergreen tree, the symbols of the stars in the sky on Christmas Eve in the 16th century. The tree was first mabtioned in German literature in 1605. From Germany the custom spread in other countries. decorate them with lights, tinsel, balls, ornaments and a star or an angel on the top. We usually put the presents under it. It is fun to decorate the Christmas tree. Sometimes people even have miniature ones to put in other places The most important Christmas tree in the country is lit near the White House. The top of it is decorated with a star, and around it there are small Christmas trees—a tree from each state. The President of the United States comes out of the White House with his family and makes a speech, which is followed by a concert by famous stars. Very often on the top of a Christmas tree, you can see an angel. Every Christmas British people are sent a huge fir tree from Norway which stands in Trafalgar Square, in the centre of London.

Christmas Eve On Christmas Eve everything is rush and bustle. Offices and public buildings close at one o’clock, but the shops stay open te. Most big cities, especially London, are decorated with coloured lights across the streets and enormous Christmas trees. The main line station, trains and buses are crowded with people travelling from all parts of the country to be at home for Christmas. Many Christian family homes are decorated with tiny electric bulbs, and trees in the yards are often covered with these lights. On the houses, you can see decorations made of pine tree branches with red ribbons (the color of Santa Claus) and golden bells. . There is a service in each Christian church on Christmas Eve. The churches are decorated fantastically, and sometimes near the church you can see a performance (about the birth of the baby Jesus.). Of course, there is a doll of the baby Jesus Christ. It is incredibly interesting to visit the White House at Christmas time. There is a Christmas tree in each room, and each tree is decorated in its own way. There is such a variety of Christmas trees that you really feel as if you are in a fairy tale.

Santa Claus The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St.Nicholas was generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. He was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purpostedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St.Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe. His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims that he could performmiracles and devotion to him increased. In Grece he is the Patron of sailors, in France - the patron of layers and in Belgium - the patron of children and travellers. After the Reformation,the European followers of St.Nicholas dwindled, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch childred would leave their woodenshooes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would rewared good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.

Christmas Stockings According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinstehood. The generous St.Nicholas, hearing of the girls’ plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman’s house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where fortuitously captured by the stockings the young woman had hung by the fireplace to dry. Since that time Santa Claus comes on Christmas and leave presents in the stockings.

Be careful! You are standing beneath mistletoe! Holly and Ivy are two plants, which were always linked to Christmas (or Xmas for short) . Holly because of its blood-red berries and spiked leaves - they remind of Christ's crusification and crown of thorns. Ivy as a legend says has magical powers and at Xmas will keep houses safe from demons. Mistletoe and the custom of kissing under it, (much beloved by gentlemen of a certain age), have ancient origins. The ancient Celtics believed this plant to have magical powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility. It was also the symbol of peace and it is said that among Romans , enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace. Druids regarded any Oak tree with Mistletoe growing on it as sacred and ritually cut the Mistletoe with a golden knife. The custom of kissing under the Mistletoe is linked to pagan fertility rites but may also be connected to the ancient custom of hanging Mistletoe over the doorway as a symbol of peace. A part of Mistletoe placed in a baby's cradle was said to ward off fairies and also to protect against witchcraft if worn under a hat. Today at Christmas parties Mistletoe frequently attracts strange and scary visitations so be careful if you stand beneath it!

Christmas cracker These fun noisemakers originated in England in the Victorian Era. A confectioner named thomas Smith became enchanted with sugared almonds wrapped in brightly colored tissue paper while on a trip to France. When he returned to England, he was watching a fire when suddenly a large log cracked. That inspired him to add a sharp crack to to his bonbons. His idea caught on in 1898. Over the years, toys, a motto or a paper hat replaced the traditional sugar almonds inside the cracker. It is a tradition for two people to open a cracker. You pull at each end and hear a loud pop.

Merry Christmas Christmas dinner is in the afternoon and is the biggest meal of the day. Before they start to eat, people pull crackers.The crackers make a loud nois, and have a small game and paper party hat inside. Dinner is usually turkey with lots of winter vegetables and then hot mincee pies or a Christmas pudding. In the evening, people eat cold meat, and Christmas cake ( a kind of fruit cake ), fruit and nuts, but they are usually not very hungry because of their big dinner. Christmas prayer: «May the Lord Jesus Christ born for us on Christmas morning and tenderly held in the arms of his mother, virgin Mary, share with you the love, they unites Heaven and the Earth. And may He bless you and all those dear to you throughout this Christmas season. Amen.»

Silent Night, Holy Night... Carols originated from the custom of joyfully celebrating various festivals which have been held through the centuries. This custom came from England. The most famous: «Silent Night, Holy Night», «Joy to the World», «I’M Dreaming of White Christmas», «Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer».

Froentliche Wiehnachten! Joyeux Noel! The Christmas tree is the centre of festivities. The neighbour dressed as Saint Nicholas visits each home on December and asks about the children’s behaviour. Gifts are given to children who have been good. On Christmas Eve the family gathrs togather and sing carols. Christmas trees are rare. On the Christmas Eve the children set out their stockings anf Petit Noel fiils them with toys. In the southeastern part of France known as Provence, a yule log is burned.

Scandinavia Finland The celebration extands from Christmas Eve to Twelfth-day. Gifts are distributed by kindly gnoms or elves. One is a little man with a white beard who wears a red scape and rings the bell. The other is an old woman, carring the baskat of gifts. It is said that the first to arrive home from church will be first to reap his graiin in the next season’s harvest. In Finland we call Santa Claus "Joulupukki" and Christmas "Joulu". Usually in Finland at Christmas we eat ham, casseroles and rice porridge. Santa Claus doesn't come from the chimney in Finland. He comes from the door and broughts a lot of presents. He comes at the evening and gives the presents personally. In Finland adults usually drink mulled wine with nuts and or raisins. We eat ginger snaps and Christmas flans.

Any mummers allowed in? “ Mummering" is a very old Newfoundland custom that dates back to the time of the earliest settlers who came to our land from England and Ireland. Sometime during the twelve days of Christmas, usually on the night of the "Old Twelfth", People would disguise themselves with old articles of clothing and visit the homes of their friends and neighbours. They would even cover their faces with a hood, scarf,mask or pillowcase to keep their identity hidden. Men would sometimes dress as women and women as men. They would go from house to house. They usually carried their own musical instruments to play, sing and dance in every house they visited. The host and hostess of these 'mummers parties' would serve a small lunch of Christmas cake with a glass of syrup or blueberry or dogberry wine. All mummers usually drink a Christmas "grog" before they leave each house. (A grog is a drink of an alcoholic beverage such as rum or whiskey.) When mummers visit everyone in the house starts playing a guessing game. They try to guess the identity of each mummer. As each one is identified they uncover their faces, but if their true identity is not guessed they do not have to unmask. For a time the old tradition of "Mummering", or "Jannying" as it is sometimes called, seemed to fade, especially in the larger centers of Newfoundland. In recent years,, mummering has been revived. It is just as prevalent and popular as it was years ago and young and old look forward to dressing up this Christmas, knocking on a friend's door and calling out "ANY MUMMERS ALLOWED IN ?"

Traditional Christmas Food In Sweden traditional Christmas food includes dried cod followed by rice pudding. New England has Lumberjack Pie (a mashed potato crust, filled with meat, onion andcinnamon). Baltimore serves sauerkraut with their Turkey (include apples, onions and carrots). Pensylvania Dutch serve Santa Tarts (thin crisp, sugar coockies) North Carolina features Moravian Love-Feast Buns(faintly sweet breadof flour and mashed potatoes)

Christmas Greetings Happy Christmas greetings And warmest wishes too, Here's hoping that The New Year brings all that's best to you! Soft the fallen snow crisp and clear the air, The world awakes to Christmas Joy and wonder everywhere! May the blessing of the Christ Child Enrich your life at Christmas and in the year to come

From Junglebell Junction Thoughts and memories of you when Christmas time is here Bring an extra brightness to this season of the year - For love is what adds so much joy to Christmas time, it's true, And, always, there's a lot of love en every thought of you. Merry Christmas! Remembering you with warm wishes For a wonderful Christmas season, Merry Christmas and happy New Year