The story of the first Christmas is perhaps the best known story ever
told. Joseph, a carpenter, and his wife Mary had to return to Bethlehem for a census of
all Roman citizens. Mary, who was expecting a child, rode upon a donkey. Bethlehem was
crowded with travelers, and there was no lodging to be found. It was a cold winter night.
Finally, the wife of an innkeeper allowed Joseph and Mary to stay in a stable behind the
inn. There Jesus Christ was born.
That night a great star was seen in the sky. Shepherds in the
fields followed the star. It led them to the stable. They found Christ lying in a manger,
and fell to their knees to worship the newborn king.
In Persia, three wise men, called the Magi', also
saw the star and followed it. To them, the star was the signal for the birth of the Messiah,
come to save the world. It was the first Christmas, quietly and sacredly celebrated in
a cold and tiny stable.
Christmas is first a religious holiday. Beautiful ceremonies are held in churches
everywhere to honor the birth of Jesus. The churches are decorated, and millions of people
attend services.
Christmas is also a day for giving gifts and, of course,
receiving them. Santa Claus, that jolly old man from the North Pole, is as much a part of
Christmas as fingers are a part of your hand. They say that each Christmas Eve he loads
his sleigh with toys, candy, and presents, and delivers them to all good boys and girls.
Hark the Herald Angel Border Roll
In some countries gifts are brought by St. Nicholas; in others, by Kris Kringle. The
legend of Santa Claus comes from the story of St. Nicholas, who lived over 1,600 years
ago. St. Nicholas is said to have gone from house to house in those days, leaving gifts in
the shoes of little children. In Belgium and Holland, it is St. Nicholas who delivers
gifts. He brings them on December 6th, his feast day.
The story that
Santa comes down the chimney began in Norway many years ago. Our
American Santa Claus, with his red suit and white beard, looks like the one in the poem
"The Night Before Christmas."
The Christmas tree is another important Christmas custom. With ornaments and lights,
tinsel and beads, and, of course, a star or an angel on top, it is a beautiful sight. The
Christmas tree first became a part of the celebration in
Germany. Some say it began with
St. Boniface back in the eighth century. At that time, the Teutons, a tribe of barbarians,
would sacrifice a child each year before a great oak tree. St. Boniface suggested that
instead of killing a child they should cut down a fir tree, take it home and celebrate
around it. Another story is that Martin Luther brought a fir tree home one Christmas Eve
in the 1500's. He decorated it with candles to look like the stars in the sky.
Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Garland
Nativity scenes, sometimes called cribs or creches, show the
Baby in the stable, with his family and the shepherds. Homes and churches throughout the
world set up manger scenes. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, there is the largest Nativity
scene in the world. Hundreds of live animals are used, and people come from miles around
to see it. The star placed above it can be seen for twenty miles.
Manger - Crèche Scene /
Bethlehem Scene
Christmas carols are sung in the streets, in churches, and in homes at Christmas time.
Holly, mistletoe, wreaths, and Christmas candles are among the most popular Christmas
decorations. And, of course, there is the tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking from
the mantel, to be filled by Santa.
These are some ways that Christmas is celebrated in America. But in other parts of the
world, there are many other Christmas customs.
In Mexico, the children play a Christmas game. A
piñata, which is a colorfully
decorated jar, is hung from the ceiling. The piñata is filled with gifts and candies. One
child is blindfolded and given a stick. He swings the stick around in the air. When he
hits the piñata it breaks, and the presents pour out on the floor. All the children rush
to gather up the gifts. A special Mexican Christmas dish is a mixture of fruits and
vegetables, covered with all kinds of candies.
Feliz Navidad Door Decor
The children in France do not hang up Christmas stockings. Instead, they put their
shoes outside to be filled with gifts.
In Italy, each child has his own Ceppo. A Ceppo is shaped like a Christmas tree, except
that it is made with poles and looks like a pyramid. There are shelves where gifts are
placed. The bottom shelf is often a nativity scene. The Ceppo is also decorated with
candles, ornaments, and pine cones.
The Yule Log is a tradition in many countries. With great ceremony the log is brought
in and placed in the fireplace. People in countries as far apart as England and Yugoslavia
bring in the Yule Log.
Throughout the world, children go through the streets singing Christmas carols. In
Poland, carolers used to carry a star. Many dressed as shepherds and wise men. In some
Slavic countries, children receive gifts as they go caroling.
Christmas dinner is always a wonderful event. It, too, is different throughout the
world. In America, it is usually turkey or goose. Long ago in England, it was boar's head
and brawne, peacock, and mutton pies. Some countries even serve a whole roast pig. In
Poland, Christmas dinner has 12 courses. A chair at the table is always left empty in case
a traveler stops.
Twelth Night, January 6th, is an important part of some
countries' Christmas celebrations. In England, it was the "twelfth day of
Christmas," just as in the song. It was the day to take down the Christmas greens and
burn them in a gay celebration. Some people in the United States still follow this custom.
In certain countries, January 6th, called the Day of the Three Kings, is the day of
gift-giving. It is believed be the day that the three wise men, traveling from far
countries, finally arrived in Bethlehem to bring the baby Jesus their gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. In Latin America, children get their gifts from the three kings
on January 6th, not from Santa Claus. The three kings come riding through town, people
say, and leave presents in the children's shoes set outside the door. Thoughtful children,
of course, remember to leave hay and water for the kings' camels.
Three Kings Scene
In South America there are exciting parades and fireworks on the Day of the Kings.
People dress up as servants from Egypt and Oriental countries to march in the procession
ahead of the three kings. Parades in Peru show the three kings as Ethiopian, Inca, and
Spanish!
In southern France and in Spain, children go out the eve of January 6th carrying gifts
of fruit and cake for the Christ Child, and hoping to meet the three kings who will
deliver their gifts. If they do not see kings, they take their gifts to the church.
There are many Christmas customs and traditions. And all people have their own special
ways of celebrating Christmas. It is a time of great joy. And it should be a time of great
charity, a time of giving. After all, it is day to celebrate the birth of Christ, who gave
his for mankind. Perhaps the best description of Christmas is in the beautiful carol:
