Colindatul

Colindatul sau uratul pe la case constituie un obicei stravechi, desigur precrestin, dar care, in timp, a ajuns sa faca, s-ar zice, casa buna cu crestinismul. Cantecelele respective atrag norocul sau binecuvintarea asupra oamenilor si gospodariilor, pentru tot anul care urmeaza. In vechime, colindele erau „specializate“ (de preot, de pastor, de fata mare etc.). O categorie importanta de colinde sunt strict legate de Craciunul bisericesc, evocand inchinarea magilor (Viflaimul sau Vicleimul - stalcire a numelui Betleem) sau panica si viclenia lui Irod (Irozii), culminand cu taierea pruncilor (cei 14000, pe care Biserica ii pomeneste pe 29 decembrie). Scenariile sunt simple, cuceritoare in naivitatea lor. Cam in acelasi timp, flacaii umbla cu Capra (Turca, Brezaia) sau cu Ursul, in cete pestrite si galagioase (ca e un obicei pagan se vede si din aceea ca in unele parti se zice ca astfel de colindatori „glumeti“ ar fi parasiti vreme de 6 saptamani de ingerul lor pazitor!), iar copiii cu Steaua („Cine primeste steaua cea frumoasa si luminoasa...“). Cantecele de stea cu care suntem familiarizati astazi (mai ales „Steaua sus rasare...“) sunt de origine culta, adeseori chiar bisericeasca. Plugusorul si Sorcova sunt legate de innoirea anului, neavand nici o legatura cu ciclul religios al Craciunului. Din pacate, toate par a fi pe cale de disparitie, sau in orice caz iremediabil compromise de transformarea lor intr-o forma de cersit tiganesc (extinsa stupid si penibil cam de pe la Sf. Nicolae si pana la Sf. Vasile).

 sursa: crestinortodox.ro

Călatorie în minunata lume a Sărbătorilor de iarna

                                                                Despre colinde

Colindele (sau colindurile) sunt nişte cântece tradiţionale româneşti, anume felicitări (urări) de tip epico-liric, având în general între 20 şi 60 de versuri. Colindele sunt legate de obiceiul colindatului, datină perpetuată din perioada precreştină . Colindele nu trebuie confundate cu cântecele de stea, specifice sărbătorilor creştine de iarnă, şi nici colindatul cu umblatul cu steaua . Colindele se cântă în preajma Crăciunului. Unele dintre ele au o sumedenie de variante şi versiuni, potrivit diferitelor regiuni şi graiuri.

Originile Iniţial, colindele aveau o funcţiune rituală, anume aceea de urare pentru fertilitate, rodire şi belşug. Acest obicei era legat fie de începutul anului agrar (adică de venirea primăverii), fie de sfârşitul său (toamna, la culegerea recoltei) . Pe de altă parte, un scop des întâlnit al colindelor era acela de alungare a spiritelor rele şi de reîntâlnire cu cei plecaţi pe tărâmul celălalt. În acest sens, ele moştenesc funcţiunea sărbătorilor păgâne ale Saturnaliilor, Calendelor lui Ianuarie şi a Dies natalia Solis Invicti. Peste timp, din semnificaţia iniţială a colindelor s-a păstrat doar atmosfera sărbătorească, de ceremonie, petreceri şi urări

Colindul Vechi Obicei la Români

Adevaratul colindat se desfasoara in seara si noaptea de Craciun. Colindatorii se aduna in cete bine rânduite. Fiecare grup işi alege un conducător numit de obicei "vătaf" sau "jude". Colindătorilor propriu-zişi li se alatură caţiva flacăi cu sarcina să poarte, in saci si traiste, darurile primite.Pe vremuri, fiecare ceată putea să ia la colindat numai o anumită parte a satului, avand grija să nu patrundă in zona ce se cuvenea alteia.
Odata intraţ iîn curtea casei, colindatorii işi deapănă repertoriul înaintea membrilor casei, adunaţi în prag.Cântecele sunt întotdeauna insoţite de dansuri.Dupa ce cântecele şi dansurile din faţa casei s-au terminat, gazda işi invită colindătorii în casa. Aici, inainte de aşezarea la masă pentru ospăţul comun, vătaful cetei porunceşte să se cânte alte câteva colinde.Numărul colindelor depinde în mare masură de rangul gazdei şi de belşugul de daruri pe care ea urmează să le ofere colindatorilor.
Unei singure melodii îi pot corespunde mai multe texte (versiuni locale, varianta laică sau creştină)

Sarbatorile de iarna in traditia populara

De la San Nicoara la Mos Niculae

(6 decembrie) Poporul are habar mai putin de identitatea si biografia reala a Sfantului Nicolae, desi il tine foarte drag. San Nicoara, cum era indeobste numit in lumea traditionala, este mai degraba un personaj mitologic, in jurul caruia s-au tesut legende diverse si uneori nastrusnice, cu vagi ecouri din cultul bisericesc. El ar fi al doilea sfant facut de Dumnezeu si ar sta de-a stanga Acestuia (primul facut, Mihail, are cinstea sa stea de-a dreapta). San Nicoara (ajutat de San Toader) pazeste Soarele, care are adesea tendinta sa fuga, ca un cal naravas. San Nicoara e acum batran, dar in tineretile lui unii zic ca ar fi fost podar, iar altii ca ar fi fost corabier si pescar (ca protector al corabierilor, Sf. Nicolae este cunoscut pe scara larga, atat in Rasarit cat si in Apus). El ar fi oprit si apele Potopului pe vremea lui Noe. Se pare ca ipostaza de Mos Niculae, cu obiceiul de a face daruri copiilor (dulciuri pentru cei cuminti, insa nuieluse pentru cei neastamparati) e o inovatie oraseneasca, prefigurand darnicia mai substantiala a lui Mos Craciun.

Ignatul (20 decembrie)

Numele zilei se trage de la Sf. Mucenic Ignatie Teoforul, trecut in calendarul bisericesc la data respectiva. Pentru tarani, Ignat a fost insa un simplu om necajit care, vrand sa-si taie porcul, ca tot romanul, a scapat securea in capul lui tata-sau, omorandu-l pe loc, apoi caindu-se toata viata si primind mila de la Dumnezeu siSfantul Petru. In ziua de Ignat se taie porcul si nu e bine sa lucrezi altceva. Cand tai porcul (care mai nou cica ar trebui adormit, dupa normele europene!), zici: „Ignat, Ignat, / Porc umflat“. Porcul nu-i luat chiar pe nepregatite, caci se spune ca, in noaptea de dinaintea Ignatului, isi viseaza cutitul... Cu sangele porcului se face semnul crucii pe fruntea copiilor, ca sa fie sanatosi peste an. Dupa taiere si transare, urmeaza „pomana porcului“, la care iau parte casnicii si ajutoarele. Regretata Irina Nicolau observa ca in popor se face o fina deosebire intre a taia porcul si a-l omori: daca respecti intru totul regulile traditionale (cum il injunghii, cum il parlesti, cum il transezi, cum il chivernisesti), atunci il tai (ceea ce e in firea lucrurilor, placand si lui Dumnezeu), in vreme ce, daca incalci regulile (ritualul), atunci se cheama ca-l omori, prefacand sacrificiul legiuit in crima nelegiuita! O vorba spune ca cine n-are porc gras de Craciun si cutit ascutit la vremea pepenilor, acela n-a cunoscut fericirea. Se mai zice, de asemenea: „Pastele fudulul“ si „Craciun satulul“ (niciodata romanul nu mananca atat de mult si de greu, ceea ce uneori umbreste bucuria spirituala a Craciunului, riscand sa-l prefaca in sarbatoare a pantecului, ispasita prin revolta ficatului sau a matelor, mai ales daca s-a tinut postul prealabil).

Mos Ajunul (24 decembrie)

Ajunul Craciunului apare personificat in chipul unui mos cumsecade, frate mai mic al lui Mos Craciun si despre care se spune ca ar fi fost pastor: Mos Ajunul. Acesta pare mai autohton decat Mos Craciunul actual, de import occidental. Romanul se pune sa chefuiasca inca din seara de ajun, cand in unele parti se crede ca vin si sufletele mortilor sa petreaca laolalta cu cei vii. Ca atare, pe masa se pune hrana anume si pentru ei (s-ar zice ca mortii nu prea trag la carne, ci mai degraba la colaci, turte si cozonaci). Copiii umbla cu Mos Ajunul („Ne dati ori nu ne dati...?“) si primesc mai ales nuci si covrigi. E bine sa se imparta bucate, atat in numele mortilor, cat si ca semn de belsug, fiind rastimpul prin excelenta al darurilor. Lipsa reciprocitatii e rau vazuta, iar pe alocuri se crede ca zgarcitii incaseaza pedepse de la Mos Ajun (cele mai grele fiind ale acelora care nu primesc uratorii). Daruitul de bani nu intra in optica traditionala, incetatenindu-se abia in mahalale oraselor (mai ales o data cu „tiganizarea“ colindatului).

Mos Craciun (25 decembrie)

Mos Craciunul cu plete dalbe, astazi imbracat in costum rosu, cu sacul doldora de jucarii sau alte atentii, deplasandu-se in sanie trasa de reni, de cerbi sau de iepurasi, nu tine deloc de vechile traditii romanesti, ci reprezinta, ca si pomul (bradul) de Craciun, un imprumut tarziu din lumea apuseana, neatestat la noi inainte de secolul al 19-lea. Comunistii l-au rebotezat Mos Gerila (uzand abil tot de un nume de personaj fantastic din basmele populare), pentru a estompa pe cat cu putinta implicatiile religioase. Traditia crestina spune ca Mos Craciun ar fi fost proprietarul sau paznicul binevoitor al staulului in care a nascut Fecioara. Dupa o alta varianta a legendei, el a fost, dimpotriva, un om bogat si rau, care ar fi refuzat sa dea ajutor Mariei, de n-ar fi intervenit nevasta-sa, Craciuneasa. Ba mai mult, de furie ca femeia i-a ajutat pe straini, el i-ar fi taiat mainile de la coate, dar acestea s-au refacut in scalda Pruncului. Pentru inima ei buna, Craciuneasa trece drept patroana a moaselor. In fata unei asemenea minuni, Craciun insusi se spaseste si se crestineaza, devenind primul dintre sfinti. S-a spus si ca personajul popular ar fi continuarea unei vechi zeitati pagane a locului. Se stie, bunaoara, ca sarbatoarea Nasterii Domnului s-a suprapus pe vechea sarbatoare a nasterii zeului Mithra (Natalis Solis Invicti). In vechime, crestinii sarbatoreau tot acum si Anul Nou, ceea ce explica faptul ca Anul Nou actual (1 ianuarie) mai este numit pe alocuri si „Craciunul cel mic“.

Colindatul

Colindatul sau uratul pe la case constituie un obicei stravechi, desigur precrestin, dar care, in timp, a ajuns sa faca, s-ar zice, casa buna cu crestinismul. Cantecelele respective atrag norocul sau binecuvintarea asupra oamenilor si gospodariilor, pentru tot anul care urmeaza. In vechime, colindele erau „specializate“ (de preot, de pastor, de fata mare etc.). O categorie importanta de colinde sunt strict legate de Craciunul bisericesc, evocand inchinarea magilor (Viflaimul sau Vicleimul - stalcire a numelui Betleem) sau panica si viclenia lui Irod (Irozii), culminand cu taierea pruncilor (cei 14000, pe care Biserica ii pomeneste pe 29 decembrie). Scenariile sunt simple, cuceritoare in naivitatea lor. Cam in acelasi timp, flacaii umbla cu Capra (Turca, Brezaia) sau cu Ursul, in cete pestrite si galagioase (ca e un obicei pagan se vede si din aceea ca in unele parti se zice ca astfel de colindatori „glumeti“ ar fi parasiti vreme de 6 saptamani de ingerul lor pazitor!), iar copiii cu Steaua („Cine primeste steaua cea frumoasa si luminoasa...“). Cantecele de stea cu care suntem familiarizati astazi (mai ales „Steaua sus rasare...“) sunt de origine culta, adeseori chiar bisericeasca. Plugusorul si Sorcova sunt legate de innoirea anului, neavand nici o legatura cu ciclul religios al Craciunului. Din pacate, toate par a fi pe cale de disparitie, sau in orice caz iremediabil compromise de transformarea lor intr-o forma de cersit tiganesc (extinsa stupid si penibil cam de pe la Sf. Nicolae si pana la Sf. Vasile).

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Christmas songs - White Christmas

Christmas traditions

Christmas

From old English Cristes maesse (Christ's Mass), older still, Yule, from the Germanic root geol. In some languages:

English: Christmas, Yule, Noel

German: Weihnachten

Finnish: Joulu

Swedish: Jul

Italian: Il Natale

Spanish: La Natividad

French: Noel

The traditional Christmas is not a single day but a prolonged period, normally from 24th December to 6th January. This included the New Year, thus increasing the festival value of Christmas.

Magi

From old Persian language, a priest of Zarathustra (Zoroaster). The Bible gives us the direction, East and the legend states that the wise men were from Persia (Iran) - Balthasar, Melchior, Caspar - thus being priests of Zarathustra religion, the mages. Obviously the pilgrimage had some religious significance for these men, otherwise they would not have taken the trouble and risk of travelling so far. But what was it? An astrological phenomenon, the Star? This is just about all we know about it.

Christmas card

The practice of sending Christmas greeting cards to friends was initiated by Sir Henry Cole in England. The year was 1843 and the first card was designed by J.C.Horsley. It was commercial - 1000 copies were sold in London. An English artist, William Egley, produced a popular card in 1849. From the beginning the themes have been as varied as the Christmas customs worldwide.

Star

The astrological/astronomical phenomenon which triggered the travel of the Magi to give presents to child Jesus. Variously described as a supernova or a conjunction of planets it supposedly happened around the year 7 BC - the most probable true birth year of Christ. Star is often put to the top of the Christmas tree.

Christmas Day

The traditional date for the appearance of Santa Claus, obviously from the birthdate of Jesus (the word Christmas is from old English, meaning Christ's mass). This date is near the shortest day of the year, from old times an important agricultural and solar feasting period in Europe. The actual birthday of Jesus is not known and thus the early Church Fathers in the 4th century fixed the day as was most convenient. The best fit seemed to be around the old Roman Saturnalia festival (17 - 21 December), a traditional pagan festivity with tumultuous and unruly celebrations. Moreover, in 273 Emperor Aurelianus had invented a new pagan religion, the cult of Sol Invictus (invincible sun, the same as the Iranian god Mithra), the birthday of this god being 25th December (natalis sol invicti). The Christian priests obviously saw this choice as doubly meritorious: using the old customary and popular feasting date but changing the rough pagan ways into a more civilized commemoration.

The first mention of the birthday of Jesus is from the year 354. Gradually all Christian churches, except Armenians (celebrating 6th January which date is for others the baptismal day of Jesus and the day of the three Magi), accepted the day. In American/English tradition the Christmas Day itself is the day for Santa, in German/Scandinavian tradition the Christmas Eve is reserved for presents.

Christmas symbolics

Candles,fires: Summer, warmth, paradise, end of darkness, Jewish Hanukkah

Tree: Eternal life, Paradise tree, pagan symbol

Apples: Apple of Paradise

Reindeer: A prop

Santa Claus: St Nicholas, pagan deity

Gifts: Customary (Romans, pagans everywhere), Magi

Mistletoe: Peace, kisses

Holly: Christ's crown of thorns

Gnomes: Pagan entirely

Straw: Stable & crib, pagan, handy material for deco

Sock: A prop (as chimney etc)

Christmas Crib

Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. In Catholic countries this fact is brought to mind with miniature replicas of the nativity scene. The manger, animals, miniatures of Jesus, Joseph, Maria, the shepherds and the Three Magi are part of this very popular symbol. It was started (says the legend) by St Franciscus of Assisi. The Pope has his own in Rome but nowadays the custom is followed in Protestant countries, too.

Mistletoe

Sacred to ancient druids and a symbol of eternal life the same way as Christmas tree. The Romans valued it as a symbol of peace and this lead eventually its acceptance among Christmas props. Kissing under mistletoe was a Roman custom, too.

Decorations

Anything goes nowadays. In old times they were simple, wood, paper, straw and often very intricate. Themes follow the general taste of each time but national traditions can be discerned even now.

Christmas gifts

There are many roots of this custom. There is St.Nicholas the anonymous benefactor, there is the tradition of Magi giving precious gifts to Jesus, there is the Roman custom of giving gifts of good luck to children during Saturnalia. The day of gift giving varies greatly in different Christian cultures and times:

6th December - in memory of St. Nicholas

24th December - Christmas Eve

25th December - Birthday of Jesus

1st of January - the New year

6th of January - The Epiphany, day of the Three Wise men, the Magi

The giver of the presents are many: Jesus himself, Old Father Christmas, Santa Claus, a Goat, Befana (the female Santa in Italy), the three Magi, Christmas gnomes, various Saints, the Kolyada (in Russia), the Joulupukki (in Finland). The oldest Finnish tradition did not necessarily involve a giver of the presents at all: an unseen person threw the gifts in from the door and quickly disappeared.

Christmas carols

The Catholic Church valued music greatly and it is no wonder that the early Christmas songs date from 4th century (the earliest known is Jesus refulsit omnium by St.Hilary of Poitiers). The Mediaeval Christmas music followed the Gregorian tradition. In Renaissance Italy there emerged a lighter and more joyous kind of Christmas songs, more like the true carols (from the French word caroler, meaning to dance in a ring). These songs continued to be religious and in Latin, though. In Protestant countries the tradition, as everything Christmas-related, intensified.

Luther wrote and composed his song "From Heaven above I come to You". Music by Handel and Mendelssohn was adapted and used as Christmas carols. The old Finnish/Swedish collection Piae Cantiones was translated and published in English in mid - 19th century. The most famous of all, Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was written by the Austrian parish priest Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Gruber, church organist, in 1818. In 19th century and later many popular songs were written by composers (e.g. Adam, Sibelius). The themes of songs surpassed religion and the totality of Christmas paraphernalia found its way to carol music.

Christmas plays

Religious plays were part of the Medieval Christian tradition and many of them were connected with Christmas. The plays were often communal with pageants and general participation. A popular theme was the coming of the Magi (the Three Kings), because the plot allowed lots of pomp and decorative props to please the audience. These plays live on in many places, for instance in Finland in the form of the traditional Star Boys drama.

Food

Christmas means eating in most parts of the Christian world. In old societies hunger was the supreme king and eating was the highest contrast, the supreme way to nirvana. Meat of some kind was the most important dish (was this connected with the words of Jesus, "this is my flesh"?), often pork, ham,goose, (later turkey), fish (carp, salmon). An innumerable variety of cakes and pastries, often very intricate and only baked for Christmas were and are known throughout the world. Cakes could be hung from the Christmas tree, too.

Romanian Winter Season Traditions

Romanian Winter Season Traditions

In Romania, the winter holiday season is truly in full-swing from December 24 to January 7. Highlights include: Christmas Day, New Year and Epiphany, with their respective eves. The most important feature of these celebrations is their unique variety of colorful Romanian customs, traditions, and believes, of artistic, literary, musical, and other folklore events, which make the winter holidays some of the most original and spectacular spiritual manifestations of the Romanian people.

Children of all ages go from house to house singing Christmas carols, or through the streets on New Year's Eve reciting congratulatory verse. The whole traditional village participates in waists, although mostly children practice this custom.

The Caroling * Colindatul

The Star Carol * Steaua

The Goat Tradition * Capra

Bear Custom * Ursul

The Little Plough * Plugusorul

Sorcova

The Caroling * Colindatul

Traditionally, during the first hours after dark on Christmas' Eve is the time for children to go caroling and the adults stay home to greet them. As they go caroling from house to house, the children receive treats like candy, fruit, baked treats and sometimes even money in appreciation of their performance and as a sign of holiday good will.

The grown-ups caroling goes on Christmas evening and night. The waits -young and mature people - gather in groups and they choose a leader. When they are in the front yard of a house, they perform their repertory to the host. The songs are always accompanied by dance. When the performance is over, the host invites the carolers inside the house for food, drinks and presents.

The Star Carol * Steaua

Children make a star using colored paper and then they put in its middle an icon of Jesus. Many of children decorate their star using shiny tinsel. The “Star Carol” is a tradition during the 3 days of Romanian Christmas.

While holding the star in the hands the children sing:

"The star has appeared on high,
Like a big secret in the sky,
The star is bright,
May all your wishes turn out right…"

The Goat Tradition * Capra

Throughout the season, teenagers and young adults especially enjoy caroling with the “Goat”. The “Goat” is actually a usually boisterous young person dressed up in a goat costume. The whole group dances through the streets and from door to door, often with flute music. This tradition comes from the ancient Roman people and it reminds us of the celebration of the ancient Greek gods.

This custom is also called "brezaia" in Wallachia and Oltenia, because of the multicolored appearance of the goat mask. The goat jumps, jerks, turns round, and bends, clattering regularly the wooden jaws.

Bear Custom * Ursul

This custom is known only in Moldavia, a part of Romania, on the Christmas Eve. In this case a young person dresses up in a bear costume adorned with red tassels on its ears, on his head and shoulders. The person wearing the bear costume is accompanied by fiddlers and followed by a whole procession of characters, among them a child dressed-up as the bear's cub. Inspired by the crowd’s singing:

"Dance well, you old bear,
And I’ll give you bread and olives",

the bear grumbles and imitates the steps of the bear, striking strongly against the earth with the soles of its feet to the sound of drums and pipes.

The Little Plough * Plugusorul

Plugusorul is a small plough. In Romanian folklore is a traditional procession with a decorated plough, on New Years' Eve. This is a well wishing custom for the field fruitfulness into the new year. This custom arises from "Carmen arvale", a Roman wish for bountiful crops.

The ploughmen are teenagers and children carrying whips, bells and pipes in their hands.

Mâine anul se-nnoieşte, Pluguşorul se porneşte Şi-om începe a ura, Pe la case a colinda.

Iarna-i grea, omătu-i mare, Semne bune anul are; Semne bune de belşug, Pentru brazda de sub plug."

Sorcova

"Sorcova" is a special bouquet used for New Year's wishes early New Year’s morning. Children wish people a “Happy New Year!” while touching them lightly with this bouquet. After they have wished a Happy New Year to the members of their family, the children go to the neighbors and relatives. Traditionally, the "Sorcova" bouquet was made up of one or several fruit - tree twigs (apple-tree, pear-tree, cherry-tree, plum-tree); all of them are put into water, in warm place, on November 30^th (St. Andrew’s Day), in order to bud and to blossom on New Year's Eve.

Sorcova, vesela, Sã trãiti, sã-mbãtrâniti, Ca un mãr, ca un pãr, Ca un fir de trandafir, Tare ca piatra, Iute ca sãgeata, Tare ca fierul, Iute ca otelul, Peste varã, primavarã, Nici capul sã nu te doarã, La anu' si la multi ani !

Merry Sorcova, May your health be strong And you life long: As an apple tree As a pear stately As a rose bush fair Blossoming beyond compare: Strong as a granite rock Quick as an arrow’s shock Hard as an iron bar Tougher than steel by far, Over summer, over spring, May your health be great A New Year with happiness And in everything success.

Nowadays people often use an apple-tree or pear-tree twig decorated with flowers made up of colored paper. The children receive all kinds of treats such as: cakes, honeycombs, biscuits, pretzels, candies, nuts, money.

source: roembus.org

Christmas Traditions When was the first Christmas card sent? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Learn the origins of Christmas and fun facts about some of our favorite christmas traditions and symbols. There are lots of Christmas traditions that are practiced by a number of countries all over the world during the holiday season. These traditions can be as diverse as the culture and religious practices of each and every country in the world. Read about some of the most common christmas traditions her.

Origins of Christmas From the Old English 'Cristes Mæsse' ~ meaning the 'mass of Christ' ~ the story of Christmas begins with the birth of a babe in Bethlehem. It is believed that Christ was born on the 25th, although the exact month is unknown. December was likely chosen so the Catholic Church could compete with rival pagan rituals held at that time of year and because of its closeness with the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere, a traditional time of celebration among many ancient cultures. Luke, Chapter Two And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 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 a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly 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 he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop's mitre. In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors, in France he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium the patron of children and travellers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and some time around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity. After the Reformation, 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 children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged. In 1822 Clement C. Moore composed the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas, published as The Night Before Christmas as a gift for his children. In it, he portrays Santa Claus: He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly, He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. Other countries feature different gift-bearers for the Christmas or Advent season: La Befana in Italy ~ The Three Kings in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico ~ Christkindl or the Christ Child in Switzerland and Austria ~ Father Christmas in England ~ and Pere Noël, Father Christmas or the Christ Child in France. Still, the figure of Santa Claus as a jolly, benevolent, plump man in a red suit described in Moore's poem remains with us today and is recognized by children and adults alike around the world. Read even more abou christmas traditions andt Santa Claus Christmas Trees In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season. It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century. Read even more about Christmas Trees Focus on Christmas Traditions in US The variations of the Christmas traditions of USA equal the number active cultures that have settled in the land. These cultural contributions were given a new lease of life by creative artists, authors, poets and songwriters, and it was melded together by the power of secular and commercialized media in record companies, radio stations, television, cinemas and now the internet. The unwritten law of media is the presentation of a seemingly uniform celebration of the Christmas traditions of USA. This is responsible for the world wide acceptance of a universal Christmas image which they get from the media. Nevertheless, the celebrations are peculiar to each region. 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 spinsterhood. 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 they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry. Read more about christmas stockings

Mistletoe Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace. Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year. Holly, Ivy and Greenery In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away. Greenery was also brought indoors to freshen the air and brighten the mood during the long, dreary winter. Legend also has it that holly sprang from the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed. Poinsettias A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were named after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant to America in 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas celebrations. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant. The Candy cane It was not long after Europeans began using Christmas trees that special decorations were used to adorn them. Food items, such as candies and cookies, were used predominately and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation. Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living creche, or Nativity scene, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe. According to the National Confectioner's Association, in 1847 German immigrant August Imgard used the candy cane to decorate a Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio. More than 50 years later, Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes as treats for family, friends and local shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a machine in the 1950s that automated the production of candy canes, thus eliminating the usual laborious process of creating the treats and the popularity of the candy cane grew. More recent explanations of the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity. While factual evidence for these notions does not exist, they have become increasingly common and at times are even represented as fact. Regardless, the candy cane remains a favorite holiday treat and decoration. Christmas cards A form of Christmas card began in England first when young boys practiced their writing skills by creating Christmas greetings for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who is credited with creating the first real Christmas card. The first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found himself too busy in the Christmas season of 1843 to compose individual Christmas greetings for his friends. He commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for the illustration. The card featured three panels, with the center panel depicting a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the card was inscribed with the message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." Read more about Christmas Cards Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer The Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company, department store operators, had been purchasing and distributing children's coloring books as Christmas gifts for their customers for several years. In 1939, Montgomery Ward tapped one of their own employees to create a book for them, thus saving money. 34-year old copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1939, and 2.4 million copies were handed out that year. Despite the wartime paper shortage, over 6 million copies had been distributed by 1946. May drew in part on the story "The Ugly Duckling" and in part from his own experiences as an often taunted, small, frail youth to create the story of the misfit reindeer. Though Rollo and Reginald were considered, May settled on Rudolph as his reindeer's name. Writing in verse as a series of rhyming couplets, May tested the story as he went along on his 4-year old daughter Barbara, who loved the story Sadly, Robert Mays wife died around the time he was creating Rudolph, leaving Mays deeply in debt due to medical bills. However, he was able to persuade Sewell Avery, Montgomery Ward's corporate president, to turn the copyright over to him in January 1947, thus ensuring May's financial security. May's story "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was printed commercially in 1947 and in 1948 a nine-minute cartoon of the story was shown in theaters. When May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, wrote the lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Rudolph phenomenon was born. Turned down by many musical artists afraid to contend with the legend of Santa Claus, the song was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 at the urging of Autry's wife. The song sold two million copies that year, going on to become one of the best-selling songs of all time, second only to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". The 1964 television special about Rudolph, narrated by Burl Ives, remains a holiday favorite to this day and Rudolph himself has become a much-loved Christmas icon. Hanukkah Commencing on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrians. In 168 BC, members of the Jewish family Maccabee led a revolt against the Greek Syrians due to the policies of Syrian King Antiochus IV which were aimed at nullifying the Jewish faith. Part of this strategem included changing the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem - to a Greek temple complete with idolatry. Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews won victory over the Syrians in 165 BC and reclaimed their temple. After cleansing the temple and preparing for its rededication, it was found there was not enough oil to light the N'er Tamid, an oil lamp present in Jewish houses of worship which represents eternal light. Once lit, the lamp should never be extinguished. A search of the temple produced a small vial of undefiled oil -- enough for only one day. Miraculously, the Temple lights burned for eight days until a new supply of oil was brought. In remembrance of this miracle, one candle of the Menorah - an eight branched candelabra - is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, which means dedication, is a Hebrew word when translated is commonly spelled Hanukah, Chanukah, and Hannukah due to different translations and customs. The tradition of receiving gifts on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is relatively new and due in part to the celebration's proximity to the Christmas season. Kwanzaa Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at California State University in Long Beach, California, created Kwanzaa in 1966. It is a holiday celebrated by millions of African-Americans around the world, encouraging them to remember their African heritage and consider their current place in America today. Kwanzaa is celebrated fom December 26 to January 1 and involves seven principles called Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). In the Kwanzaa ritual, seven candles called Mishumaa Saba are placed in a Kinara, or candleholder, which is then set upon the Mikeka, a mat usually made of straw. Three green candles are placed on the left, three red candles on the right and a black candle in the center, each candle representing one of the seven principles of the celebration. One candle is lit each day of the Kwanzaa celebration, beginning from left to right The colors of Kwanzaa ~ black, red and green ~ also have a special significance. Black symbolizes the faces of the African people, Red symbolizes the blood they have shed, and Green represents hope and the color of the motherland. The name itself - Kwanzaa - is a Swahili word meaning "fruits of the harvest." source: allthingschristmas.com