Christmas season: Feature Article
Christmas is the most observed and popular holiday of the year. The commercial promotion of the Christmas season is one of many reasons why it is so popular. The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and show love and compassion for the fellow man. There are many traditions that are associated with this glorious holiday.
Most people think of Christmas as a single day, when it is indeed a 6 week season. The celebration of the Christmas season begins 4 weeks before Christmas and extends 2 weeks after the holiday. The time before season is referred to as a season of Advent. Advent is the time when Christians await the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
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According to Western church traditions, the actual Christmas season begins at sunset on Christmas Eve and lasts until January 5. This is a 12 day time period, where the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" originated from. January 6 is celebrated as the Epiphany in many churches.
Helpful Resources: True Meaning of Christmas This web site discusses what the Christmas season is all about and what the true meaning of Christmas is. It discusses the different accounts of the Nativity story told in Matthew and in Luke. Wikipedia: Christmas Season Christmas Trivia Taking Control of the Christmas Season Origin of Christmas Traditions Epiphany Colonial America Christmas Christmas on December 25th |
Most scholars agree that the celebration of Christmas originated in the Roman culture as they celebrated the winter solstice on December 25. This was a pagan ritual in which they marked the changing of the seasons. By the 4th century, Christians began celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at this time. Calendar differences meant that Eastern Churches celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ at a different time from Western Churches. The Eastern Church celebrated the Incarnation on January 6. Now, most churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 and observe the Epiphany on January 6.
Over the years, the Christmas holiday has been adapted to local customs of different cultures. Some traditions and customs the have emerged include the use of a star or the giving of gifts. Other traditions include the legend of Saint Nicholas. The use of a Yule log and evergreens also emerged with the celebration of the Christmas holiday. Christmas caroling arose as a local tradition in some cultures and quickly caught on with other countries and now it has been widely adopted all over the world. There are other traditions that have secular origins such as reindeer, elves, and the North Pole.
The birth of Jesus Christ account can be found in the Old Testament in the second chapter of Luke and in Matthew. The account in Luke talks about a young maiden from Galilee who was told by an angel that she would be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. The scripture goes on to state how Mary, a virgin, gave birth to Jesus Christ in a stable. The angles told of the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds who were watching their flock at night. The account of Jesus Christ's birth is told differently in Matthew than it is in Luke. The version in Luke is an account from the perspective of the virgin Mary while the account in Matthew is told from the perspective of Joseph. In Matthew's account it talks about God's reassurance that this is an extraordinary circumstance but he doesn't give any details of the actual birth of Jesus Christ, only the events leading up to his birth and then it talks about events that occurred after Jesus Christ was born. In Matthew, we learn of the gifts and visit from the Magi (the wise men) and the star in the East that led then to Jesus Christ.
Matthew's account of the Nativity warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary so the child can escape the punishment from Herod. The account of the actual Nativity is told in Luke. There are several Christmas plays that focus on the scriptures found in Luke. Luke tells of Mary's struggles to come to terms with this life-altering event. An angel announces the birth of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist to Mary and to her cousin, Elizabeth. Luke tells of the taxation by the Romans and the detail of the manger scene. Luke also tells of the shepherds who came to visit the young baby and of heavenly messengers who celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Christmas season has brought not only joy to millions, but it has become a time when the popular media capitalizes on the hectic pace of the season. Sadly, the commercialism of the Christmas season has lead many to ask the question "What is the meaning of Christmas?" Christmas indeed emphasizes bringing joy to your fellow man and peace on earth, but it also means so much more. This is why there are so many Christmas plays and movies that talk about the Nativity and its importance during the Christmas season.
For many, the Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving is known as the busiest shopping day of the year. The average American household is expected to spend around $2,000 on Christmas presents. There are many other things that expect to have high sales during the Christmas season such as candy and other foods. In fact, 1.76 billion candy canes are manufactured for the Christmas season. Many retailers actually make 70% of their annual revenue in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
It is estimated that 37 million Christmas trees will be sold each year. The Christmas tree is one of the most popular symbols of the Christmas holiday. The Christmas tree originated in northern Europe during the 1500s. Evergreen trees were used as props in plays put on by Germans as they began to have the Tannenbaum (Christmas Tree) to spread the world of Christmas. From these plays, many Germans began to put the Christmas trees in their homes at Christmas time. The Christmas tree was introduced to the rest of Europe by members of the German Royal family.
Another popular Christmas tradition is to hang Christmas stockings by the fireplace. The origin of the Christmas stocking can be traced back to 4th century Italy. The story comes from an Italian father who was going to be forced to sell one of his daughters into slavery in order to pay for the dowry for his other two daughters' marriages. St. Nicholas of Myra heard of this father's predicament and decided to help. One night, St. Nicholas passed by the father's house and noticed that the daughters had washed their stockings and hung them by the fireplace to dry. Saint Nicholas took 3 bags of gold coins and tossed them down the chimney and they fell into the daughters' stockings. The father was able to pay the dowry for all 3 daughter's marriages thanks to the kindness of Saint Nicholas. From this story, it became an Italian tradition to hang Christmas stockings by the fireplace so Saint Nicholas could fill them with gifts. Saint Nicholas soon translated into Santa Claus and he is the popular symbol of Christmas in many cultures. The story of the Italian father soon spread throughout Europe and many people adopted the tradition of hanging your stockings by the fireplace.
The poinsettia is another symbol of the Christmas season. The tradition of the poinsettia plant originated in Mexico. Many people bring flowers to the church on Christmas Eve as a gift to the baby Jesus. The story of the poinsettia is that two poor children wanted to participate in this tradition, but could not afford to purchase fresh flowers. On their way to church, the children came across some weeds and picked them so they would have something to bring to the church. When they arrived at the church, the congregation laughed at them. The children made their way to the front of the nativity scene and placed their weeds there. The green leaves miraculously changed into beautiful red petals and the poinsettia was born. The poinsettia serves as one of many symbols of the Christmas season. In churches and homes around the world, the poinsettia can be found as a symbol of a small gift to Jesus Christ.
Christmas traditions come from many different cultures, but they have merged together to form the Christmas season. Each year, millions of Christmas cards are mailed out to friends and family members to remind each other of the importance of the Christmas season and of love for our fellow man.
Christmas carols can be heard on radio stations across the country to bring joy to the Christmas season. This is a time that is filled with joy, happiness, love, and compassion. Perhaps the biggest lesson one can take from the Christmas season is to spread it out throughout the year. Many people feel the need to give to their fellow man during this time of year. While giving to your fellow man is a wonderful tradition, it should be honored year-round instead of just once a year.
Celebrate the Christmas season in your home by reading the accounts of the Nativity found in Matthew and Luke. Understanding what the Christmas season is all about will help you enjoy this time of year. Share your love of the Christmas season with your children and continue to build on your Christmas traditions.
