Have you ever wondered what Christmas is really about? Not including the nice gifts and music, this holiday is celebrated for a reason. You wonder, why would the world want to celebrate about a jolly man named Santa Claus who delivers presents to all the children in this world? It's because we don't truly celebrate for that reason, Christmas was made for a much more important reason. Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His name is even included in the title. Most people prefer to celebrate Santa, but there is a story behind this character. Santa Claus is also referred to as Saint Nick,or Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a Saint in earlier times, but he was known for constantly giving presents to children. Now, the modern version of this Saint seems to be more popular than the real reason of Christmas. …show more content…
Advent is the preparation of Jesus Christ’s coming (Christmas). But this occasion is not about putting decorations up or making special meals, it is about praying everyday and using an advent wreath. Advent wreaths have four candles, representing four Sunday's before Christmas. After each Sunday, you must light a candle. There are three purple candles and one pink candle, representing that you're halfway done with
Few people can confidently say why the United States celebrates Christmas on December 25. And I imagine even fewer people know why we give gifts, or why we pucker up when we find ourselves under some mistletoe. The answers to these questions are under a thick layer of rich human and mythological history. For me, the majority of these discoveries were absolutely shocking—Christ was never in Christmas.
Is Santa truly a secular figure or is he a religious one? This has been a long-standing argument. However, instead of viewing Saint Nick as either secular or religious, it would be more beneficial to examine him as a figure consisting of both religious and secular elements. It is true that the contemporary Santa Claus may be more associated with secular concepts, such as consumerism, but it is also crucial to emphasize the origins of the jolly old man. He is the product of Western Christianization. It is thought that he was created from a combination of the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, a Christian saint, who was known for giving gifts, and the fictional character of Father Christmas from British folklore (CITE). Santa Claus can be viewed
Christmas was originally supposed to be a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Modern historians suggest that Christ was actually born sometime in April, but that is hardly the point; the point is that a day on which to celebrate his birth and life was needed, and so one was chosen. During the season surrounding this holiday -- especially since it coincided with that of other, similar holidays -- it was thought right to honor Jesus by acting as he did, i.e., in a kind, generous, and forgiving manner. Out of this sprung the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this holiday.
Most people know the story of Santa. While there are many different versions, the gist of it is the night before Christmas, while children are sleeping, a fat man slips down the chimney to distribute gifts to boys and girls that have been good all year. The story was meant to bring hope and joy to children. It was a tale of giving and of love. However, as time goes on characters change, sometimes for better, and sometimes they take a turn for the worst.
“A wiffin’, sniffin’ gift, especially for you! It’s from Secret santa, bet you can't guess who!... It’s a woman!” Can you imagine a woman saying this? This holiday season at Macy’s Department store in New York City they hired 5 women to play the role of santa. The reason why the women were hired was because there were not enough men to play the role of Santa . Adults got VERY mad when they found out that Santa was being played by a woman. They said that they would never shop there again. i believe that Santa should not be played by a woman.
Carols, snow, mistletoe, cookies and milk. These are all synonymous with the Christmas season. However, for many, the true staple of Christmas is Santa Claus. Every child has felt the joy of Christmas Eve, spending time with family, leaving treats out for Santa, tossing and turning in their beds in anticipation for old St. Nick’s arrival. Although what Santa does is well known, his origins are slightly less familiar to most. The man we identify with Christmas has developed over a long time and has encountered many changes. “The original St. Nicholas is for the most part a shadowy figure, lost in historical mists and religious myths. (Myers 318).
Christmas used to be a time when families gathered and love enclosed each member. Meals and stories were shared and times were simpler. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass were special times for families to sit back in a pew and remember the true meaning of Christmas as carols were sung in the high choirs. This serenity and peace seems to be a thing of the past. Now, people are drowning in the pressure that Christmas is all about presents, and that unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning is what this joyous occasion is centered around. Another misconceived thought is that Christmas has to be bought and given away in order to have a good time. In 2010, a stunning “4.8 million people [found] time on Christmas Day to go online and shop.” On the contrary, only “4.5 million people who attend an Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist or Pentecostal church,” was present in church on Christmas Day. The thought that shopping is more important than the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is appalling to Christians throughout the world.
One might ask, where did the tradition Santa Claus come from? The answer to this question unfortunately is not quite as straight forward. Somehow this tradition wove itself into the holiday season during the 4th century from Turkey, where a wealthy bishop, by the name of Nicholas habitually gave gifts to children. Following the death of Nicholas, he was honored as a saint, Sinter Nikolass, and a holiday was established in honor of him on December 6th. Dutch people in the Netherlands later shortened the saint's name to Sinter Klaas, which eventually evolved into Santa Claus in the US following Dutch i...
While many traditions are celebrated during the Christmas season, Santa Claus has been beloved by children all around the world for centuries. The myths about Santa Claus are thought to be based upon a 4th century monk named Saint Nicholas who was admired by many for his abundant kindness and donations to the
...ch out only for themselves, we lose sight of what Christmas is truly about. Forgetting the being of Santa Claus only makes us slight the kindness on which this holiday is based. Not believe in Santa! You may as well not believe in the very gifts laid under the tree on Christmas morn. Without your faith, Santa Claus would be nonexistent. There would be no yearning in your soul to give of yourself to others, no example to follow. Thank God, Santa Claus exists and exists forever, lightening the heavy heart as the sight of the snow blankets the soul and defines the heart of childhood.
Also in the 4th century, a bishop in Turkey who came to be called St. Nicholas was known for good deeds involving children. St. Nicholas is illustrated in medieval and renaissance paintings as a tall, dignified and severe man. His feast day on December 6 was celebrated throughout Europe until about the 16th century. Afterwards, he continued to be known in Protestant Holland.
What is Christmas all about? After reading the play a Dolls house Christmas, I realized that Christmas
People will take time out to observe and teach their children the traditions following the word of God in order to keep celebrating the holiday. The world celebrates Christmas and we believers in Christ validate that Christmas is a celebration of Christs birth. The Glory of our King birth sent Angels rejoicing. (Luke 2.16-20) The celebration of his birth was an event for rejoicing, and reconized by the whole world.
Frosty the Snowman waves hello alongside Santa 's reindeer that are ready to take off. Candy canes line the sidewalk and the ginger bread dolls dance in a merry circle. The trees all sparkle with thousands of red, yellow, purple, blue, and orange lights. Out back, Mary and Joseph stand over baby Jesus, Choo-Choo train’s chug in spot, stars twinkle with bright yellow bulbs, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause wave in the distance. Kerkhoven, MN, the location of the happiest house on the block. Every year my breath is always taken away as my eyes struggle to soak in the utter abundance of Christmas spirit. I 'm smiling and we 're not even inside yet.
The sleigh bells are ringing early here in Reading, Pennsylvania. The holiday season seems to have started full swing and it is only November! After visiting the Berkshire Mall over the weekend, the people here have never been more ready for Santa. With Christmas being a little over a month away, and Thanksgiving right around the corner spirits here are high.