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Unwrapping the History of Christmas: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Celebrations

2024-07-18 16:00:21
Unwrapping the History of Christmas: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Celebrations

The holiday season is a time when many people all around the world celebrate Christmas. The holiday season is a great time of year where families and friends get to spend with one another, exchange gifts or share delicious meals. Have you ever wondered however wherever Christmas comes from? As soon as we understand the old traditions of Christmas, let us explore the history behind it to how we celebrate Christmas today. 

Old Traditions

Christmas has some fascinating ties to old practices. Even before the inception of Christian religion, in very ancient times people used to celebrate what is known as the winter solstice. It is the shortest day of the year and it signifies start to longer daylight. Folks would rejoice when the sun finally began to return and defeat the dark days. In ancient Rome, there was a holiday called Saturnalia that Romans celebrated by exchanging presents and placed greenery such as trees and garland inside their homes. The early Christians embraced these features and they have now become part of the modern Christmas tradition which we all adore. 

The Evolution of Christmas

The first documented Christmas celebrations were recorded in Rome by 336. But it was not until the Middle Ages, many centuries later, that Christmas became a religious holiday on European soil. At this time, people would go to the church services that celebrated Jesus Christ's birth and they had huge feasts with their families an friends. The English and American Puritans of the 1600s — a radical religious group that believed in even more strict observances than traditions Christians were used to at the time, if you can imagine such as thing — largely stopped celebrating Christmas entirely. They thought it was too pagan, and they didn't want the people relying on that old-religion witch stuff. However, popular culture revived Christmas once again later in the Victorian era. New ideas for celebrating Christmas, such as sending people a card wishing them well, using small crackers at parties and Christmas decoration set  by RESOURCES with trees with lights and ornaments were introduced. 

Legends and customs Christmas

There are a lot of traditions we look forward to celebrating today, and they all have interesting stories associated with them. Santa Claus is probably one of my most iconic Christmas figure. Based on a fabled old man the myth of Santa Claus is fashioned upon, depicted as Saint Nicholas, an entity that supposedly lived way back in time at a land named Myra(Nowadays known around Turkey). Western Saint Nicholas: known for his kindness and giving presents to people who were in need. Even after he moved on, there were still stories swirling about his goodwill. He is Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, largely where we get our modern idea of Santa Claus 

The Advent Calendar is another common tradition at Christmas time. Advent calendars originated in Germany during the 19th century. They were basically little calendars counting down the days to Christmas. Children opened a new little door on the calendar every day and they would get some sort of tiny gift or candy from time to time. This only added to the anticipation that children felt as Christmas neared. 

you Just Might Change Too — How Christmas Changes With Time 

That Christmas can be a holiday of the times, for in such ways traditions vary with circumstances. Like many families had to adapt Christmas during World War II because of food and material shortages. They created gifts and Christmas Decoration, instead of buying them. Christmas trees were draped with paper chain (as plastic metal or glass ornaments was in short supply and corn husks on strings. 

But as technology progresses, so does the way we celebrate Christmas. Christmas decoration home and television specials grew to become a huge part of the holiday season in the 1900s. Iconic films over the years such as It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol have enjoyed great popularity even with contemporary audiences. Christmas music as well has grown over the years, not only are there new songs created every year but old ones re-written and sung by artists today giving a little kick to it all during this wonderful time of the season.  

How Christmas Is Celebrated All Around The World

Though Christmas is a Christian holiday, it has taken on an almost global and secular importance. For instance, Christmas is not an official Japanese national holiday but it can be equated to something like a second Valentine celebrate in Japan. Loads of families so for KFC instead of regular Christmas dinner and it has now become a fun tradition in Japan. 

Well, Christmas is in the summer here and a lot of people spend it by going to have beers at the beach or having barbecues with their families. Although not a country widely known for its winter wonderlands, the ideal Australian Christmas swimsuit competition contestants see Santa in shorts and t-shirt as opposed to images of him in scarfs and hats. 

Christmas rocks in Mexico — and one of the neatest events are calle Posadas. The event also retraces the steps of second- and third-century St. Mary from Egypt, as she sought lodging with her adoptive parents. They are simply looking for a place to stay, and all of them wearily trudge their way from house to house only be turned away at each gate break before finally finding someone who lets them in. 

Christmas, like any holiday, is actually a blend of many different cultural influences over time. Starting from the ancient rituals, ending with incredible fun we have nowadays; Christmas is a moment when people come together and sharing these warm memories do heart-warming moments.