In the west, Christmas is a religious festival, which is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. So Christmas doesn't mean reunion.
Thanksgiving is an ancient festival created by the American people, and it is also a festival for Americans to get together.
Therefore, the western festival representing reunion should be Thanksgiving.
Introduction to Thanksgiving Day:
Thanksgiving Day is an ancient festival created by the American people, and it is also a festival for American reunion. At first, there was no fixed date for Thanksgiving Day, which was decided temporarily by American states. It was not until 1863 after the independence of the United States that President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. 194 1 year, the US Congress officially designated the fourth Thursday in June 1 1 as "Thanksgiving Day". Thanksgiving holiday usually lasts from Thursday to Sunday.
1879 The Canadian Parliament declared165438+10.6 as Thanksgiving Day and a national holiday. In the following years, the date of Thanksgiving was changed many times until the Canadian Parliament declared the second Monday of June1957+1October 3 1 day as Thanksgiving.
In addition to the United States and Canada, Egypt, Greece and other countries in the world have their own unique Thanksgiving Day, but European countries such as Britain and France are isolated from Thanksgiving Day, and some scholars advocate the establishment of "China Thanksgiving Day" to promote traditional culture.
The social significance of Thanksgiving;
As far as its significance and celebration methods are concerned, Thanksgiving Day has hardly changed since 162 1.
On this day, churches of all denominations open their doors to thank God for his generosity. Thanksgiving is a family holiday. All over the country, couples, children and the elderly, from cities to towns, from towns to towns, from towns to villages, all go back to their hometowns for the holidays. People who can't go home also make long-distance calls with their parents and family to share their gratitude.
Thanksgiving dinner is actually the same throughout the country. The dining table is always filled with all kinds of delicious food. Naturally, it is mainly Turkey. Eating pumpkin pie is to remind everyone that Indians gave such gifts to the first settlers. In most families, some traditional games are played after meals.
Thanksgiving is a happy celebration, a day for family reunion and a time to renew friendship. On that day, even bachelors are always invited to other people's homes to share the joy of gratitude and thank God for his grace. This is also the meaning of Thanksgiving.