Christmas words: Feature Article
There are several words that associate with the Christmas holiday. Each time you hear Santa Claus, reindeer, the Grinch, stockings, mistletoe; you think of Christmas. Christmas is a wonderful season filled with joy, hope, peace, and laughter. There are so many traditions that are a wonderful part of this great holiday. Let's explore the meaning behind some Christmas words:
Christmas Carol
Most Christmas carols have words that are directly tied to something religious. Christmas carols have been adapted to the customs of the culture in which they were written. Christmas caroling is actually one of the oldest customs in many cultures. Beggars who were seeking food, shelter, or money would often sing Christmas carols as they walked the streets. The word `carol' means Christmas songs. During a time when Christianity was banned, Christmas carols were not allowed to be sung. Since people were not allowed to sing in churches, they went door to door and sang Christmas carols.
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Christmas caroling is still popular during the Christmas holiday. Many people go caroling to raise money for those who cannot afford Christmas presents for their children or for clothing and food for the needy. New Christmas songs are being written by artists all the time and old Christmas songs are constantly being revised by modern artists. No matter what changes with the Christmas song, they remain the same and Christmas caroling has withstood the test of time.
Helpful Resources: Christmas Caroling This web site provides great information about Christmas caroling. It discusses the beginning of Christmas caroling and their impact on the Christmas holiday season. It also has links to other interesting facts about Christmas. Christmas Carols Wikipedia: Santa's Reindeer Christmas Legends True Meaning of "Merry Christmas" Christmas Words and Phrases Wikipedia: Christmas Ornament Different Christmas Words Testing Your Knowledge of Christmas Words |
Santa Claus and his reindeer
Santa Claus is a word that evokes the feeling of happiness and joy in many people. Some individuals may think of presents, a sleigh, and reindeer when they think of Santa Claus. There are several Christmas words that come from hearing the word Santa Claus. The official history of Santa Claus has been changed by different cultures throughout the years. Originally Santa Claus was based on Bishop Nicholas, an Irish priest that was known for his generosity, especially to the young. After the passing of Saint Nicholas, other priests dawned his robes and would take presents to small children.
The American version of Santa Claus can be credited in part to the Coca-Cola Company. In 1930, the Coca-Cola Company launched an advertising campaign using a depiction of the modern-day Santa Claus. The character was produced by Haddon Sundbloom. Sundbloom depicted Santa Claus to be a chubby fellow in a red suit with white hair, and he spread joy to the world by delivering presents on Christmas Eve. America can also thank early settlers for introducing Santa Claus. The name Santa Claus actually comes from the Dutch figure for Christmas `Sinterklaas'. The British, Dutch, and German settlers all believed in Father Christmas and other Christmas traditions and they brought them to the United States when they settled here.
Many people refer to Santa Claus as Father Christmas. Father Christmas has a longer coat and a longer beard. England refers to Santa Claus as Father Christmas. Father Christmas is known as a bearded old man in a fur costume who appears in Yuletide and gives presents to the good children. Father Christmas carries a switch for unruly children.
In some countries the figure of Santa Claus doesn't have reindeer; instead he walks and delivers presents by knocking on the door. Santa Clause's reindeer are as much a part of him as his jolly red suit. Santa Claus's reindeer are a team of fictional flying animals that pull Santa's sleigh that is filled with Christmas presents for children all around the world. The 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, named each one of Santa's reindeer individually: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder, and Blixem. Dunder was changed to Donder or Donner and Bilxem was changed to Blitzen. In several languages Donner and Blitzen translate to "thunder and lightening". The original 8 reindeer were given another reindeer named Rudolph in 1939. Robert L. May wrote a small book about a reindeer named Rudolph for the Montgomery Ward department store chain. The book was given to small children in the store during Christmas time. This short story lead to a song, television special, and even a feature film. Rudolph now leads the way for Santa's sleigh each year because he has a bright red nose that can guide the sleigh in the fog.
Christmas and Xmas
The word Christmas means "Christ's festival". Christmas is a day upon which people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people consider using the term, "Xmas" to be sacrilegious. The X abbreviation for Christmas isn't sacrilegious at all. The letter `x' was actually used to stand in as the word for `Christ' in some religious documents. In the Greek alphabet, the first letter in the word `Christ' is `chi' and the Greek letter for `chi' is represented by a symbol similar to an `x'.
Merry Christmas
The word "Merry Christmas" is often heard numerous times throughout the Christmas season. Merry Christmas actually dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period of the middle ages. During this time, the people would say "Merrie England" to one another. The greeting meant `pleasing and delightful'. The word `Merry' on its own means; to be joyful, happy, and light-hearted. The word `Christmas' means; Christ and mass. Everyone knows that mass is a catholic ordinance. Mass is religious ceremony in the Catholic church. Some people began saying "Happy Christmas" because many believe that the term "Merry Christmas" implies drunkenness.
Christmas Cards
The mid-1800s is when the tradition of sending Christmas cards began. Many people would create handmade cards and deliver them to their loved ones. When the penny post began, there was a significant increase in Christmas cards. Once the half-penny post arrived, the Christmas card business began and companies began making pre-printed Christmas cards that people could just sign and mail to their loved ones.
Christmas cards are said to have been started by the Romans and adopted by the Christians. The Romans had a tradition of posting a New Years Card to each other to wish each other well throughout the New Year. The Christians adopted this tradition and changed it to be a card sent on Christmas day so that it would arrive by the time the New Year rolled around.
John Calcott Horsley is given credit for creating the first printed Christmas card. He designed a card for a friend that had a picture of a family enjoying the holiday and performing acts of charity. The card had a single inscription, "Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You."
Christmas Ball
On the limbs of Christmas trees, you will find Christmas balls or Christmas baubles. Christmas ornaments can take several different shapes and forms and Christmas ornaments are often passed down from generation to generation. Many Christmas trees will have an ornament of Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions like candy canes, snow men, and snowflakes.
The Christmas ball is a common ornament on several Christmas trees. The bauble is a spherical ornament that has been in production since 1847. Hans Greiner originally created glass ornaments in Germany. Greiner was unable to afford the typical Christmas tree ornaments like candy, apples, and nuts, so he began hand blowing glass into Christmas decorations.
Greiner originally started blowing glass to be the shape of fruits and nuts and he used mercury or lead to make them look silvery. Greiner's Christmas ornaments became popular with many people and the Christmas ball became his most popular ornament. Other glassblowers began producing Christmas ornaments and the idea spread throughout Germany and eventually it made its way into England. Prince Albert decorated a Christmas tree for Queen Victoria and the tree was pictured in a London newspaper.
The glass ornaments made their way into the United States during the 1880's. F.W. Woolworth discovered the glass ornaments on a visit to Germany and he began importing them to the United States. By the early 1920's, mass production took over the glass ornaments and new colors began to emerge. The modern glass ornaments are made from plastic and come in a wide variety of designs. Sadly most of the glass ornaments that were hand blown by companies in Lauscha were turned into state-owned entities by the East German Government after the end of World War II. Once the Berlin Wall was taken down, many firms were reestablished as private companies. There are only about 20 glass-blowing companies in Lauscha, Germany.
One of the most popular Christmas ornaments is the Christmas tree-topper. Many people prefer to place an angel or a large star at the top of the tree. The star is used to represent the star of Bethlehem that leads the Magi (the three wise men) to the baby Jesus. Angels are often used as tree-toppers too because they represent the angels who told the shepherds of the birth of Jesus Christ. These angels also sang words of rejoice once the baby Jesus was born. Some people have decided to use Santa Claus as a tree-topper because they want a non-denominational Christmas holiday. No matter what is on top of the tree, the Christmas ornaments are all descendants of Lauscha, Germany.
