Christmas Traditions
Christmas Traditions
Father Christmas – The origins of St Nicholas, (also known as Father Christmas or Santa Claus) are based in Turkey. He is believed have given money to those in need and is depicted as the patron saint of children.
Advent Calendar –The history of Advert is from the Christian Church, it is believed that the four Sundays prior to Christmas day should be celebrated as a symbolic reference to the four thousand years of darkness in the world, prior to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Presents – The Romans used to celebrate Winter Solstice by exchanging gifts of money and foods. The tradition of giving gifts on Christmas Day was started right at the beginning by the Three Wise Men, and their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus. St Nicholas’ day of recognition was December the 6th and presents were given to children to celebrate the saint, so possibly the two dates for present-giving in December (the 6th and the 25th) have merged into one; Christmas Day, over time.The Christmas Tree – This Christmas tradition is believed to have come from the German St Boniface who came across a group of Pagans worshipping an oak tree. Infuriated, he cut the oak tree down and a pine tree sprung up in it’s place. This was taken by St Boniface as a sign of his Christian Faith. The first Christmas Trees were brought indoors in the 16th century. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, brought the Christmas Tree tradition over from his German family and presented a lavishly decorated Christmas Tree to his British family at Windsor Castle in 1841.
Christmas Decorations – The first Christmas decorations were candles placed on the branches of Christmas Trees in the 17th century. Fruit, pastries, and little trinkets made from material scraps, paper and tin were added across the years until blown glass decorations and Christmas ornaments were affordable.
Misletoe – There is a Nordic myth from which we believe the Christmas kissing comes from; Balder was a much loved god.
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