The origin of Christmas
The word Christmas comes from the old English word Cristesmaesse, which means Christian mass. Latin Christians began to commemorate the birth of Jesus on1February 25th in 336 AD. The Orthodox Church regards 1 6th as Christmas.
Christmas is an important festival in _ _ _, which is scheduled for 65438+February 25th every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, and it is also a common secular festival. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus coincides with two non-Christian festivals, namely, the Agricultural Festival and the Sun Festival, both of which are in the middle of winter, so the sources of celebration customs are different. Within the scope of the Roman Empire, Saturnalia on February 17, 2007 was a day of entertainment and gift exchange. 65438+February 25th is the birthday of mitra, the god of justice worshipped by ancient Iranians.
On New Year's Day, the ancient Romans decorated their houses with green branches and colored lights, and gave presents to children and the poor. Teutonic tribes infiltrated Gaul, Britain and Central Europe, bringing Germanic and Celtic religious ceremonies. Therefore, there are celebrations, such as reunion, burning large pieces of firewood, tasting big wooden cakes, hanging branches, visiting relatives and friends, and exchanging gifts. Fire and light symbolizing warmth and longevity have always been the content of winter festivals, whether in _ _ or non-Christ _ _. Evergreen trees symbolize the struggle for survival and have been associated with the celebration of Jesus Christmas since the Middle Ages. Due to the different calendars, the Christmas date of the Orthodox Church and other Eastern European churches is equivalent to the Gregorian calendar 65438+1October 6 or 7.
Westerners use red, green and white as Christmas colors. When Christmas comes, every family should decorate it with Christmas colors. The red ones have Christmas flowers and Christmas candles. The green one is the Christmas tree. It is the main decoration of Christmas, decorated with evergreen trees such as fir and cypress that have been cut into towers. Colorful lanterns, gifts and paper flowers are hung on it, and Christmas candles are lit.
The contrast between red and white is Santa Claus, who is the most popular figure in Christmas activities. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, western children should put a sock in front of the fireplace or beside the pillow. When they fall asleep, Santa Claus will put presents in the sock. Playing Santa Claus is also a custom in the west.
The traditional customs of Christmas
Christmas has always been a beautiful festival. This is the day when the Son of God was born, so it is very sacred to Christians all over the world. During Christmas, various Christmas traditions are naturally indispensable. For centuries, people all over the world have celebrated the following traditions.
1, decorate the Christmas tree
This tradition refers to decorating pine trees with colored lights, gold foils, garlands, decorations and sweets. Nowadays, the Christmas tree is also an indispensable part of celebrating festivals.
Step 2 light Christmas candles
This tradition means that people will put a lighted candle outside the house during Christmas. Even in the darkest room, candles can bring light and symbolize hope. In the early years, when Christians were persecuted, they were forbidden to preach and pray. Therefore, Christians put candles outside the house, suggesting that they are still praying silently in their hearts.
Step 3 bake Christmas cake
This British tradition was handed down centuries ago. People used to drink sour plum porridge on Christmas Eve. Over time, people will also enjoy candied fruit, honey and spicy food, and then Christmas cake will replace plum porridge. Christmas cake is baked with eggs, butter, desserts and fruits. Nowadays, Christmas cake has become an indispensable part of the Christmas menu.
4. Give gifts to relatives and friends
This tradition comes from a legend: three wise men give presents to the baby Jesus at Christmas. Every Christmas, friends and relatives, especially children, will give gifts to each other. The story of Santa Claus also comes from this tradition.
Step 5 sing Christmas carols
This is an ancient custom: Christmas is always accompanied by one traditional Christmas song after another. Songs bring joy to people and add festive atmosphere. Every year when Christmas is celebrated, various Christmas hymns or carols, such as The First Christmas, Jingle Bells and Joy Around the World, will play melodies.
Step 6 make a Christmas manger
This is also an ancient Christmas custom. People use figurines and managers to create the scene of the birth of Jesus. The first manger was built outside a church in St. Francis to show children the scene of Jesus' birth. This custom has been passed down to this day.
Step 7 distribute Christmas candy
This is the most interesting of all traditions. People distribute Christmas candy to their neighbors during Christmas; On Christmas day, all misunderstandings and hatred were eliminated, and neighbors United to celebrate the birth of Jesus. These traditions have been followed for decades, getting more and more lively every year, and the grand occasion can be said to be more and more. I believe that with the passage of time, people's enthusiasm for traditional customs will only get higher and higher.
When is Christmas?
Every year, on February 25th, 65438, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day, most Catholic churches will hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve on February 24, 65438, that is, in the early morning of February 25, 65438, while some _ _ churches will hold a good news party and then celebrate Christmas on February 25, 65438. It is also a major branch of Christ & mdash& ampmdash Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas every year at 65438+1October 7th.
The characteristics of Christmas
1, Santa Claus
It is said that he was originally the bishop of Mela City in Asia Minor, named Saint Nicholas, and was honored as a saint after his death. He is an old man with a white beard, wearing a red robe and a red hat. Every Christmas, he drives a sleigh pulled by deer from the north, enters the houses from the chimney, and puts Christmas presents in socks and hangs them on the children's bedside or in front of the stove. Therefore, when westerners celebrate Christmas, parents will put Christmas gifts for their children in socks and hang them on the bedside of Christmas Eve. The next day, the first thing the children woke up was to look for a gift from Santa Claus by the bed.
Step 2: Christmas tree
It is said that the Christmas tree first appeared in the Saturnalia in ancient Rome in the middle of 65438+February. In the 8th century, German missionary Nicholas used vertical trees to worship the infant. Subsequently, the Germans took 65438+February 24th as the festival of Adam and Eve, and placed a "paradise tree" symbolizing the Garden of Eden at home, and hung cookies representing the sacred bread to symbolize atonement; Light the candle symbolizing Christ.
In the16th century, the religious reformer Martin &; Middot Luther designed a Christmas tree with candles at home for a starry Christmas Eve. However, there is a popular saying about the origin of the Christmas tree in the west: It is said that a farmer received a hungry and cold child on a snowy Christmas eve and gave him a big Christmas dinner. When the child said goodbye, he broke a fir branch and stuck it in the ground, wishing him, "Every year on this day, gifts are everywhere, so leave this beautiful fir tree to repay your kindness." After the child left, the farmer found that the branch had turned into a small tree. He realized that he had received an angel from God. This story became the source of the Christmas tree.
In the west, whether Christians or not, a Christmas tree should be prepared for Christmas to increase the festive atmosphere. Christmas trees are usually made of evergreen trees such as cedar and cypress, which symbolizes the longevity of life. The tree is decorated with all kinds of lights and candles, colorful flowers, toys and stars, and hung with all kinds of Christmas presents. On Christmas Eve, people sing and dance around the Christmas tree and have fun. Gifts, food, Christmas reunion.
3. Christmas hat
This is a red hat. It is said that wearing it at night can not only make you sleep soundly, but also keep you warm. The next day, you will find more gifts from your relatives in your hat. On the carnival night, it is the protagonist of the whole audience. Wherever you go, you will see all kinds of red hats.
4. Christmas songs
The popular Christmas song "A Christmas Song" has a history of 65 years. Many people may not know that this song, which brings warmth to people in the cold winter in the northern hemisphere, was written in the hot summer. The purpose of the author's creation of this song is to cool off the heat. The songwriter is American musician Mel&; Middot Tolmer and Bob&; Middot Wells. Dell &; Song copyright manager; Middot Izz said that Tolmer visited Wells' home in Los Angeles in July at 1944. He walked into the living room and saw a book with scrawled words "Chestnuts are roasting on the fire". Tolmer asked Wells, "Why did you write such a sentence?" Wells replied, "I'm thinking about something related to winter." It is too hot today. I swim, take a bath and use various methods to cool off the heat. " Tolmer went on to say, "I think we can write a song with this sentence."
The two immediately took action and wrote the lyrics of A Christmas Song in just 40 minutes.
5. Christmas cards
This is a kind of greeting card to celebrate Christmas and New Year, with pictures about the birth story of Jesus and wishes such as "Celebrate Christmas" and "Happy New Year" printed on it.
6. Christmas dinner
Just as people in China eat New Year's Eve dinner during the Spring Festival, Europeans and Americans also attach great importance to the whole family sitting around the Christmas tree and having a beautiful holiday meal.
The custom of eating turkey for Christmas dinner began at 1620. This custom prevails in America. The Christmas dinner in England is roast goose, not turkey. On Christmas Eve, Austria likes to invite relatives and friends of the whole family to a restaurant for Christmas dinner in droves. Among them, turkey, preserved chicken, roast cowboy meat and pork leg are essential. With famous wine, everyone has a good time.
7. Christmas stockings
It used to be a pair of red socks, regardless of size. Christmas socks are children's favorite things, because they are used to hold gifts. In the evening, they will hang their socks by the bed and wait for presents the next morning.