Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.
In General, the aspects of celebration may include gift-giving, Christmas trees display of Nativity sets, church attendance, the Father Christmas/Santa Claus myth, and family gatherings. Those who are users of the Gregorian calendar observe the holiday on December 25.
Christmas is also called Christ’s Mass. Christians around the world as well as by non-Christians also observe the secular aspects of the holiday. The word Christmas is derived from Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse. It is a contraction meaning "Christ's mass". The name of the holiday is often shortened to Xmas because the Roman letter "X" resembles the Greek letter [chi], an abbreviation for Christ.
In Western countries, Christmas is the most economically significant holiday of the year and is even celebrated by non-Christians. The popularity of Christmas can be traced in part to its status as a winter festival.
In Western culture, the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts being attributed to Santa Claus [also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Basil and Father Frost].
History
Origin of holiday
Although no one knows on which date Jesus was born, Christians have favored December 25 since ancient times. It is the date on which the Romans marked the winter solstice, and it is nine months following the Festival of Annunciation [March 25]. In ancient and early Medieval times, Christmas was either a minor feast or not celebrated at all.
Around 220, the theologian Tertullian declared that Jesus died on March 25, AD 29, but was resurrected 3 days later. Although this is not a plausible date for the crucifixion, it does suggest that March 25 had significance for the church even before it was used as a basis to calculate Christmas. Modern scholars favor a crucifixion date of April 3, AD 33 [also the date of a partial lunar eclipse]. The idea that December 25 is Jesus' birthday was popularized by Sextus Julius Africanus in Chronographiai (AD 221), an early reference book for Christians.
It has been observed that a feast celebrating Christ's birth allowed the church to promote the intermediate view that Christ was divine from the time of his incarnation. Mary, a minor figure for early Christians, gained prominence as theotokos, or God-bearer. There were Christmas celebrations in Rome as early as 336. December 25 was added to the calendar as a feast day in 350.
The Reformation and modern times
The book A Christmas Carol [1843] by Charles Dickens played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion. The phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents the importation of a tradition from Germany, where such trees became popular in the late 18th century. Queen Victoria and her German-born husband Prince Albert enthusiastically promoted Christmas trees, as well as the idea of placing gifts under them. The royal family's tree of 1848 was widely publicized and imitated. Christmas cards were first designed in 1843 and became popular in the 1860s. The commercial calendar, created to answer children's questions concerning when Christmas would come, dates from 1851 and Christmas was declared a federal holiday in 1870.
Santa Claus is derived from Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, who gave candy to the Dutch children on December 6. The connection between Santa Claus and Christmas was popularized by the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" [1822] by Clement Clarke Moore, which depicts Santa driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer and distributing gifts to children. His image was created by German American cartoonist Thomas Nast [1840-1902], who drew a new image annually beginning in 1863. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.
Other dates of celebration
Although Christmas may be celebrated on December 25 -31 in historically Catholic and Protestant nations, in eastern Europe it is often celebrated on January 7. This is because the Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar for determining feast days. In the United Kingdom, the Christmas season traditionally runs for twelve days beginning on Christmas Day. These twelve days of Christmas, a period of feasting and merrymaking, end on Twelfth Night.
The Christmas festive period has grown longer in some countries. In the U.S., the pre-Christmas shopping season begins on the day after Thanksgiving. In the Philippines, radio stations usually start playing Christmas music during what is called the "ber months" [September, October, etc.].
The countries that celebrate Christmas on December 25 recognize the previous day as Christmas Eve and have various names for the day after Christmas. In the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, Lithuania and Poland, Christmas Day and the following day are called First and Second Christmas Day. In many European and Commonwealth countries, the first non-Sunday after Christmas is referred to as Boxing Day. In Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Austria, and Catalonia [Spain], the day is known as St. Stephen's Day. In Quebec, the December 26 holiday is referred to as Lendemain de Noël ["the day after Christmas"]. In the southern hemisphere, Christmas is during the summer. Japan has adopted Santa Claus for its secular Christmas celebration, but New Year's Day is a far more important holiday. In India, Christmas is often called bada din ["the big day"], and the celebration revolves around Santa Claus and shopping. In South Korea, Christmas is celebrated as an official holiday.
Saint Nicholas
It is to be believed in the United Kingdom, United States, and other countries passed down through the generations is the idea of lists of good children and bad children. Throughout the year, Santa supposedly adds names of children to either the good or bad list depending on their behaviour.
When it gets closer to Christmas time, parents use the belief to encourage children to behave well. Those who are on the bad list receive a booby prize, such as a piece of coal or a switch with which their parents beat them, rather than presents. The French equivalent of Santa, Père Noël, evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image. In some cultures, Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter.
The current tradition in several Latin American countries [such as Venezuela] holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who delivers them to the children's homes.
In many countries, children leave empty containers for Santa to fill with small gifts such as toys, candy, or fruit. In the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada children hang a Christmas stocking by the fireplace on Christmas Eve because Santa is said to come down the chimney the night before Christmas to fill them. In other countries, children put their empty shoes out for Santa to fill on the night before Christmas, or for Saint Nicholas to fill on December 5, the eve of his saint's day. Family members and friends also bestow gifts on each other.
In most of the world, Christmas gifts are given at night
on Christmas Eve or in the morning of Christmas Day.
Saint Nicholas [Greek: "Victory of the people"] is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who had a reputation for secret gift-giving but is now commonly known as Santa Claus.
Saint Nicholas the festive gift-giver
Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in much of Europe and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, Anglo-Canadian, and British Father Christmas derive from this festivity, the name 'Santa’.
Decorations
Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments. The interior of a home may be decorated with garlands and evergreen foliage, particularly holly and mistletoe. In Australia, North and South America and to a lesser extent Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Christmas banners may be hung from streetlights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.
Social aspects and entertainment
In many countries, businesses, schools, and communities have Christmas parties and dances in the weeks before Christmas. Christmas pageants may include a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ. Groups may visit neighborhood homes to sing Christmas carols. Others do volunteer work or hold fundraising drives for charities.
On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, a special meal of Christmas dishes is usually served. In some regions, particularly in Eastern Europe, these family feasts are preceded by a period of fasting. Candy and treats are also part of the Christmas celebration in many countries. Many people also send Christmas cards to their friends and family members. Many cards are also produced with messages such as "season's greetings" or "happy holidays”.
Radio and television programs aggressively pursue entertainment and ratings through their cultivation of Christmas themes. Radio stations broadcast Christmas carols. Television networks add Christmas themes to their standard programming, run traditional holiday movies, and produce a variety of Christmas specials.
Many radio stations begin to add Christmas songs to their rotation in late November, and often switch to all-Christmas programming for December 25th. Some do for part of or all of December 24th as well. A few stations switch to all-Christmas music for the entire season [some beginning as early as mid-November].
Economics of Christmas
Christmas is typically the largest annual stimulus for many nations. Sales increase dramatically in almost all retail areas and shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies. In the U.S., the Christmas shopping season now begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. The economic impact of Christmas continues after the holiday.
Christmas Seal
Christmas Seals are adhesive labels placed on envelopes during the Christmas season to raise funds and awareness for tuberculosis programs.
In 1904, Einar Holboell, a Danish postal clerk developed the idea of a seal on envelopes during Christmas to raise money for tuberculosis. The plan was approved by the Postmaster and the King of Denmark, and the first seal bore the likeness of the Queen and the word Julen [Christmas]. Today the Christmas Seals benefit the American Lung Association and other lung-related issues.
Christmas creep
Christmas creep is the commercial phenomenon of merchants and retailers exploiting the commercialized status of Christmas every year. It is most often attributed to the desire of many merchants to take advantage of particularly heavy holiday-related shopping well before Black Friday.
Christmas in the media
Christmas themes have long been an inspiration to artists, writers, and weavers of folklore. Moviemakers have picked up the adaptations of literary classics and new stories. Radio and television have also aggressively pursued entertainment and ratings through their cultivation of Christmas themes.
Dressing the Arbor Tree, Aston-on-Clun, Shropshire,
England
The custom of dressing the Arbor tree – a black poplar growing in Aston-on-Clun in south Shropshire - with flags on flagpoles every 29th May is unique in Britain. New flags are attached to wooden flagpoles on the Arbor tree which remain throughout the year.
The Festival of
Nine Lessons and Carols is a format of Christian worship service
celebrating the birth of Jesus and traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the
fall of man, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine
short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns. It has since been adapted and used by other
churches all over the world. In the UK, the service has become the standard
format for schools' Christmas carol services.
SantaCon
SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed in cheap Santa Claus costumes, performing publicly on streets and in bars. The focus is on spontaneity, creativity, and the improvisational nature of human interaction while having a good time. Variously known as Santarchy, Santa Rampages and the Red Menace, SantaCon events are noted for bawdy and harmless behavior, including the singing of Christmas carols, and the giving of gifts.
Local Cacaphony Societies have staged SantaCons in Los Angeles, Portland, New York, Seattle, Washington DC, Denver, Austin Texas, Vancouver, London, and Tokyo.
White Christmas
A white Christmas, to most people in the Northern Hemisphere, refers to snowy weather on Christmas Day, a phenomenon that is far more common in some countries than in others. For example, in many parts of the USA, snow is seldom experienced at Christmas except in the mountains; but most parts of Canada except for southern British Columbia, southern Alberta, southern Ontario and parts of the Maritimes stand an excellent chance of experiencing a white Christmas. Due to oceanic climate and such, the further west a country is in Europe, the lower the probability that it will have a white Christmas [e.g., in southern France it is very rare, while in Bucharest, Romania, which is at a similar latitude, a white Christmas is much more likely].
Xmas
"Xmas" and "X-mas" are common abbreviations of the word "Christmas". They are sometimes pronounced "eksmas", but they, and variants such as "Xtemass", originated as handwriting abbreviations for the pronunciation "Christmas". The "-mas" part came from the Anglo-Saxon for "festival", "religious event. This abbreviation is widely but not universally accepted; some view it as demeaning to Christ, whilst others find it a helpful abbreviation.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy, or simply Santa is a gift-giving figure in various cultures who distributes presents to children, traditionally on Christmas Eve.
Father Christmas is a well-loved figure in many countries and predates the "Santa Claus" character. "Father Christmas" is similar in many ways, though the two have quite different origins. Using 'Santa' in places that predominantly call him 'Father Christmas' is often viewed as an Americanism and is quite rare, although they are generally regarded as the same character. Father Christmas is also present instead of "Santa" in Albania ("Babadimri"), Armenia ("Gaghant Baba"), Denmark ("Julemanden"), Italy ("Babbo Natale"), Lithuania ("Kalds Senelis"), Brazil ("Papai Noel"), Czech Republic ("Ježíšek"), Poland ("Zwity MikoBaj"), Portugal ("Pai Natal"), Romania ("Mo_ Crciun"), Germany ("Weihnachtsmann" or "Nikolaus"), Scottish Highlands ("Daidaín na Nollaig"), France and French Canada ("Le Père Noël"), Ireland ("Daidí na Nollaig"), Finland ("Joulupukki"), Norway ("Julenissen"), Sweden ("Jultomten"), Bulgaria ("Dyado Koleda"), Turkey ("Noel Baba"), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Deda Mraz"), Spain and Latin America ("Papá Noel"), Afghanistan ("Baba Chaghaloo"), Iraq and South Africa ("Vader Kersfees"), Chile (Viejo Pascuero), Egypt ("Papa Noël") ,Iran ("Baba Noel").
Overview
Santa Claus is a variation of a Dutch folk tale based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Turkey [then known as Myra], who gave presents to the poor. His charity became legend when a man lost his fortune and found himself incapable of supporting his three daughters, who would not be able to find husbands as they lacked dowries. However, St. Nicholas provided them with gold, enabling them to retain their virginal virtues and marry. This inspired the mythical figure of Sinterklaas, the subject of a major celebration in the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany, which in turn inspired both the myth and the name of Santa Claus [actually a mispronunciation of the Dutch word "Sinterklaas"] by the English settlers of New Amsterdam [later renamed New York].
Whilst in those countries Saint Nicholas is celebrated as a distinct character with a religious touch, Santa Claus is also making inroads as a symbol during Christmas. He forms an important part of the Christmas tradition throughout the Western world and Japan and other parts of East Asia. In many Eastern Orthodox traditions, Santa Claus visits children on New Year's Day and is identified with Saint Basil whose memory is celebrated on that day.
Conventionally, Santa Claus is portrayed as a kindly, round-bellied, merry, bespectacled white man in a red coat trimmed with white fur, with a long white beard and green or white gloves. On Christmas Eve, he rides in his sleigh pulled by flying reindeer from house to house to give presents to children. To enter the house, Santa Claus comes down the chimney and exits through the fireplace. During the rest of the year, he lives together with his wife Mrs. Claus and his elves manufacturing toys.
His home is usually given as either the North Pole, in northern Canada, Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland, Dalecarlia in Sweden, or Greenland, depending on the tradition and country. Sometimes Santa's home is in Caesarea when he is identified as Saint Basil. L. Frank Baum placed his home in The Laughing Valley of Hohaho.
Santa Claus rituals
Several rituals have developed around the Santa Claus figure that is normally performed by children hoping to receive gifts from him.
Ho, ho, ho
Ho ho ho is the way that many languages write out how Santa Claus laughs. "Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!"
The laughter of Santa Claus has long been an important attribute by which the character is identified, but it also does not appear in many non-English-speaking countries. Ho ho ho represents an attempt to write the deep belly-laugh of Santa Claus.
"H0H 0H0" is a postal code used by Canada Post for routing letters sent in Canada to Santa Claus at the North Pole. The alphanumeric sequence falls within a grouping associated with the Montreal, Quebec area.
Ancient Christian origins
The first of these is Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century CE Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe [more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany]) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. Saint Nicholas became revered by many as the patron saint of seamen, merchants, archers, children, pharmacists, lawyers, pawnbrokers, prisoners, the city of Amsterdam and of Russia. In Greece, Saint Nicholas is sometimes substituted for Saint Basil [Agios Vasilis in Greek], a 4th century AD bishop from Caesarea. Also, a few villages in West Flanders, Belgium, celebrate a near identical figure, Sint- Maarten [Saint Martin of Tours].
Modern Origins
Father Christmas dates back at least as far as the 17th century in Britain, and pictures of him survive from that era, portraying him as a well-nourished bearded man dressed in a long, green, fur-lined robe. He typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas and was reflected in the "Ghost of Christmas Present" in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The name Santa Claus is derived from Sinterklaas, the Dutch name for the mythical character based on St. Nicholas. He is also known there by the name of Sint Nicolaas which explains the use of the two fairly names Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas or St. Nick.
Christmas Eve rituals
In the United States and Canada, the tradition is to leave Santa a glass of milk and cookies; in Britain and Australia, he is sometimes given sherry and mince pies instead.
Letter writing
Writing letters to Santa Claus has been a Christmas tradition for children for many years. These letters normally contain a Wishlist of toys and assertions of good behavior.
Many postal services allow children to send letters to Santa Claus pleading their good behavior and requesting gifts; these letters may be answered by postal workers or other volunteers. Canada Post has a special postal code for letters to Santa Claus, and since 1982 over 13,000 Canadian postal workers have volunteered to write responses. His address is: Santa Claus, North Pole, Canada, H0H 0H0.
In Britain it is tradition to burn the Christmas letters on the fire so that they would be magically transported by the wind to the North Pole however this tradition is dying out in modern times with few people having true open fires in their homes. Children from Great Britain, Poland and Japan are the busiest writers.
Websites and e-mail
Some people have created websites designed to allow children and other interested parties to "track" Santa Claus on Christmas. Many other websites are available year-round that are devoted to Santa Claus and keeping tabs on his activities in his workshop. Many of these websites also include e-mail addresses, a modern version of the postal service letter writing, in which children can send Santa Claus e-mail.
Songs
Over the years, Santa Claus has inspired several songs
and even orchestral works. More popular,
well- known songs about Santa Claus (mostly sung by children) include:
- "Christmas All Over the World" (1985) by Bill House and John Hobbs, from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Santa Claus: The Movie, sung by Sheena Easton.
- "Here Comes Santa Claus" (1947) by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman. "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake and Peter Sinfield.
- "Little Saint Nick" by Brian Wilson, performed by The Beach Boys. "The Night Santa Went Crazy" (1996) by "Weird Al" Yankovic (satire).
- "Santa Baby" (1953) by Joan Javits, Philip Springer, and Tony Springer, performed by Eartha Kitt
- "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (1935) by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. "Up on the Housetop" traditional.
"Santa Claus" in shopping malls
Santa Claus is also a costumed character who appears at Christmas time in department stores or shopping malls or parties. His function is either to promote the store's image by distributing small gifts to children or to provide a seasonal experience to children.
Origins in film
Some films about Santa Claus seek to explore his origins.
Two stop motion animation television specials addressed this issue:
- Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970) by Rankin/Bass with Mickey Rooney as the voice of Kris reveals how Santa delivered toys to children
- The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985), based on L. Frank Baum 's 1902
- The Oz Kids video, Who Stole Santa? (1996)
Christmas gift-bringers around the world Europe and
North America
Throughout Europe and North
America, Santa Claus is generally known as such, but in some countries the
gift-giver's name, attributes, date of arrival, and even identity varies.
- Austria: Christkind ("Christ child")
- Canada: Santa Clause (among English speakers); Le Père Noël ("Father Christmas"), among French speakers
- Croatia: Djed Božinjak ("Grandfather Christmas")
- Czech Republic: Ježíšek (diminutive form of Ježíš ("Jesus"))
- Denmark: Julemanden
- Estonia: Jõuluvana ("Old man of Christmas")
- Finland: Joulupukki ("Yule Goat")
- France: Le Père Noël ("Father Christmas"); Père Noël is also the common figure in other French-speaking areas
- Germany: Weihnachtsmann or Nikolaus ("Christmas Man"); Christkind in southern Germany
- Greece: ("Saint Basil")
- Hungary: Mikulás ("Nicholas"); Jézuska or Kis Jézus ("child Jesus")
- Iceland: Jólasveinn. In Icelandic folktales, there are 13 Santa Clauses.
- Ireland: Daidí na Nollag ("Father Christmas") among Irish speakers
- Italy: Babbo Natale ("Father Christmas")
- Liechtenstein: Christkind
- Lithuania: Kalds Senelis
- Luxembourg: Klaussenhofer
- Macedonia: Dedo Mraz
- Netherlands "Santa Claus", called Kerstman ("Christmas Man"), is celebrated on Christmas day
- Norway: Julenissen
- Poland: Zwity MikoBaj / MikoBaj ("Saint Nicholas")
- Portugal: Pai Natal ("Father Christmas")
- Romania: Mo_ Crciun ("Old Man Christmas")
- Russia: (Ded Moroz, "Grandfather Frost")
- Scotland: Bodach na Nollaig (Scots Gaelic: Old Man of Christmas)
- Slovakia: Mikuláš
- Slovenia: Bozicek
- Spain: Papá Noel (Father Noel)
- Serbian: Deda Mraz (Grandfather Frost)
- Sweden: Jultomten ("The Yule/Christmas Gnome")
- Switzerland: Christkind
- Turkey: Noel Baba ("Father Noel")
- United Kingdom: Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas though they were originally two quite different people, and Father Christmas did not originally bring gifts
- United States: Santa Claus; Kris Kringle; Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick
- Wales: Siôn Corn
Latin America
Santa Claus in Latin America is generally referred to
with different names from country to country.
- Argentina: Papá Noel, El Niño Dios
- Brazil: Papai Noel
- Chile: Viejito Pascuero
- Colombia: El Niño Dios ("God child")
- Costa Rica: San Nicolás or Santa Clos
- Dominican Republic: Santa Clos/Papá Noe
- Ecuador: El Niño Dios ("God child"), Papá Noel
- Mexico: Santa Claus (pronounced "Santa Clos"); El Niño Dios ("God child," in reference to Jesus).
- Peru: Papá Noel
- People in East Asia, particularly countries that have adopted Western cultures, also celebrate Christmas and the gift-giver traditions passed down to them from the West.
- Hong Kong: (literally 'The Old Man of Christmas')
- Indonesia: Santa Claus or Sinter Klass (from Netherland Pronunciation)
- Japan: (Santa Kuroosu, or Santa-san)
- Korea: (Santa Harabeoji, or "Grandfather Santa")
- Philippines: Santa Claus
- Taiwan: (both literally 'The Old Man of Christmas')
- Thailand: (Santa Claus)
- Vietnam: Ông Già Nô-en (literally 'The Old Man of Christmas')
- India: (Christmas Baba)
- Tatarstan: (Winter Grandfather)
- Uzbekistan: (Snow Grandfather)
- Christians in Africa and the Middle East who celebrate Christmas generally ascribe to the gift-giver traditions passed down to them by Europeans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
- Egypt: Baba Noel
- Iran: Baba Noel
- South Africa: Sinterklaas; Father Christmas; Santa Claus
- Australia: Father Christmas; Santa Claus
- New Zealand: Father Christmas; Santa Claus
Biblical Magi
In Christian tradition the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, The Three Kings, or Kings from the east, are Zoroastrian judicial astrologers or magi from Ancient Persia who according to the Gospel of Matthew came "from the east to Jerusalem", to worship the Infant Jesus, whom they describe as the Christ "born King of the Jews.
According to most forms of Christianity, the Magi were
the first religious figures to worship Christ, and for this reason the story of
the Magi is particularly respected and popular among many Christians. This
visit is frequently treated in Christian art and literature as The Journey of the Mag.
According to traditional folklore, Santa Claus has a team of flying reindeer who help him deliver Christmas gifts. The names of the original eight reindeer are taken from Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, which led to the popularity of reindeer as Christmas symbols.
In some countries, such as Finland, Santa's reindeer do not fly.
The reindeer Original eight Sleigh order
The original eight reindeer are arranged as follows on Santa's sleigh. The reindeer on the left are all female, those on the right are all male.
|
Front |
|
|
Dancer |
Dasher |
|
Vixen |
Prancer |
|
Cupid |
Comet |
|
Blitzen |
Donner |
Descriptions
Dasher - The
first reindeer and the right-hand leader of the sleigh before Rudolph was
included. He is the speediest reindeer.
Dancer - The
second reindeer and the left leader before Rudolph was included. She is the
graceful reindeer.
Prancer - The
third reindeer and on the right in the second row. He is the most powerful reindeer.
Vixen - The
fourth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the second row. She is beautiful
and also powerful like her companion Prancer.
Comet - The
fifth reindeer and on the right-hand side in the third row. He brings wonder
and happiness to children when Santa flies over everyone's house.
Cupid - The
sixth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the third row. She brings love and
joy to children when Santa flies over everyone's houses.
Donner - The
seventh reindeer and on the right-hand side in the fourth row. He is the
"thunder" reindeer.
Blitzen - The eighth reindeer and on the left-hand side in the fourth row. She is the "lightning" reindeer.
Christmas movie is a movie based on the holiday Christmas. Most Christmas movies are intended to leave the audience feeling good after viewing, and almost always have a happy ending.
List of Christmas movies
- All I Want for Christmas (1991) Bright Eyes (1934)
- Bush Christmas (1983)
- Carol for Another Christmas (1964) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Christmas Burglars (1908)
- Christmas Child (2003)
- A Christmas Carol (several versions) Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
- A Christmas Story (1983)
- The Christmas Wife (1988 TV)
- A Christmas Without Snow (1980 TV)
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 TV), (2000) A Dream for Christmas (1973 TV)
- Elf (2003)
- Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) The Family Man (2000)
- Frosty the Snowman (1969 TV)
- Guess Who's Coming for Christmas? (1990 TV) Holiday Affair (1949)
- Home Alone (1990)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Home Alone 3 (1997)
- Home Alone 4 (2002)
- I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998) It's A Wonderful Life (1946) Jingle All the Way (1996)
- The Little Drummer Boy (1968 TV) Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Mixed Nuts (1994)
- Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980 TV)
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
- Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Prancer (1989)
- Remember the Night (1940) Scrooged (1988)
- Stealing Christmas (2003 TV) The Santa Clause (1994)
- The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
- The Santa Clause 3 (2006) Trapped in Paradise (1994)
- A Very Brady Christmas (1998 TV)
White Christmas (1954)
Movies set during the Christmas season
- Gremlins (1984) Die Hard (1988)
- Look Who's Talking Now (1989)
- Love Actually (2003)
- The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
- Metropolitan (1990)
- While You Were Sleeping (1995)
- The Ref (1994)
- Mixed Nuts (1994)
Christmas food
During Christmas dishes are specially prepared and cherished. Here is a list of Christmas dishes eaten around the world.
The traditional meal [served as dinner on Christmas Eve] consists of fish soup and fried fish [most often, carp] served with potato salad. It should be the first food consumed that day. Before the Christmas holidays, many kinds of sweet biscuits are prepared.
- Apple dumplings sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with strawberry marmalade
- Boiled potatoes
- Brown sauce
- Browned potatoes
Finland
- Freshly salted salmon
- Rosolli salad of pickled herring and boiled vegetables
- Baked ham with mustard
- Potato Casserole
- Mixed fruit soup or prune soup
Japan
Christmas cake – Different from a U.K. Christmas cake or American fruitcake, the Japanese Christmas cake is usually sponge cake frosted with whipped cream and topped with strawberries.
- Swedish meatballs
- A traditional very sweet stout-like, Christmas soft drink
- Mulled wine
- Rice pudding
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the traditional meal consists of roast turkey or goose, served with roast potatoes and other vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding, a heavy boiled pudding made with dried fruit (traditionally plums) and flour.
United States
- Champagne, or sparkling apple cider
- Christmas cookies
- Cranberry sauce
- Hot chocolate
There is some debate as to whether artificial or real trees are better for the natural environment. Artificial trees are usually made out of PVC, a toxic material that is often stabilised with lead. Some trees have a warning that dust or leaves from the tree should not be eaten or inhaled. A small amount of real-tree material is used in some artificial trees. For instance, the bark of a real tree can be used to surface an artificial trunk. Polyethylene trees are less toxic, though more expensive than PVC trees.
Artificial trees can be used for many years, but are usually non-recyclable, ending up in landfills. Real trees are used only for a short time but can be recycled and used as mulch or used to prevent erosion. Real trees also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while growing.
Asia : People do celebrate Christmas
India
Christmas is an official holiday in India. The devotees attend the church services. In many of the schools that are run by Christian missionaries, the Hindu children actively participate in the programmes. This involves enacting dramas related to Christ, singing carols etc. The celebrations continue and get mixed up with new year celebrations.
In India, Christmas is also known as bada din (the big day) in Hindi and revolves there around Santa Claus and shopping.
Korea
South Korea recognizes Christmas as a public holiday. Non-Christian Koreans otherwise go about their daily routine on December 25 but may engage in some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending Christmas cards, and setting up decorated trees in their homes; children, especially, appear to have embraced Santa Claus, whom they call Santa Harabeoji [Grandfather Santa] in Korean. Local radio stations play holiday music on Christmas Day and a few days before, while television stations are known to air Christmas films and cartoon specials popular in Western countries.
South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognise Christmas as a public holiday.
Japan
The celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, though Christmas is not a national holiday. The Japanese adopted the character of Santa Claus in their celebrations. A unique feature of Christmas in Japan is the Christmas cake, a white whipped cream cake with strawberries.
People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macao
In Mainland China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. Christians unofficially and usually privately observe Christmas.
Both Hong Kong and Macao designate Christmas as a public holiday on December 25. Both are former colonies of Western powers with (nominal) Christian cultural heritage.
Philippines
The Philippines has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season.
Christmas Eve on December 24 is the much-anticipated "noche buena" -- the traditional Christmas feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together on traditional noche buena fare, which includes the queso de bola ("ball of cheese", usually edam) and hamon (Christmas ham).
In Asia, Christmas is also the liveliest in the Philippines.
Christmastime
greetings
Christmastime greetings are a selection of greetings that are often spoken with good intentions to strangers, family, friends, or other people around the time of Christmas.
Garland is a
decoration, used for Christmas, or other holidays, seasons, or special events. Types of
garland include:
- tinsel garland
- pine garland
- rope garland
- popcorn and/or cranberry garland
- bead garland
- vine garland
Why do people celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25?
It is uncertain why December 25th was chosen. Before the Romans converted to Christianity, they celebrated the popular holiday Saturnalia, a festival of feasting and revelry held in December in celebration of Saturn, the god of agriculture, and the winter solstice.
Kelly Wittmann wrote, "In 350, Pope Julius I
declared that Christ's birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is wide
acceptance of the belief that Pope Julius I was trying to make it as painless
as possible for pagan Romans, who remained a majority at that time, to convert
to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their
feasts would not be taken away from them."
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