| All over the world, people celebrate | | | | absorbed into Christian traditions in spite |
| Christmas. Although this holiday is obviously | | | | of it having nothing to do with the birth of |
| associated with the Christian faith, the date | | | | Christ. A further change was to move Saint |
| and customs are much older. In the very | | | | Nicholas' day, which had been observed on |
| beginning of the Catholic Church, the heads | | | | December 6, to December 25. |
| of the church recognized it would be easier | | | | |
| to "write over" existing celebrations instead | | | | The tradition of Christmas trees varies in |
| of attempting to wipe them out. Most people | | | | different parts of the world. In Germany, |
| would agree that of all the pagan holidays | | | | traditionally people visit the woods and |
| assumed by the Roman church in its earliest | | | | decorate live trees with candles and |
| attempts to convert the world to | | | | ornaments, whereas in the United States |
| Christianity, the changing of Christmas from | | | | living trees are cut and brought indoors. |
| the pagan renewal celebration to the birth of | | | | Considering live trees dry out and can be |
| the Christian Messiah has been one of the | | | | dangerous, they have been substituted in many |
| most successful. This holiday is now | | | | homes by artificial trees. These are |
| recognized even in countries that are not | | | | convenient to use, resemble live trees and |
| predominantly Christian. | | | | can be pre-decorated with colored lights. |
| | | | |
| In spite of Christianity dating from the time | | | | The origin of carols dates back to the Middle |
| of Christ the celebration of Christmas | | | | Ages. During this time gifts and feasting |
| started only in the Middle Ages and | | | | were strongly discouraged in favor of a |
| remarkably at its inception, it had nothing | | | | peaceful celebration of the Nativity. This |
| to do with the birth of Christ. Originally, | | | | was in marked contrast to the Bacchanalian |
| Jesus' birth was celebrated in summer, | | | | festivities associated with pagan |
| however, considering numerous pagan festivals | | | | observances, at which people over-indulged. |
| and holy days were celebrated in December, | | | | One school of thought today is critical of |
| this was moved to December also. Babylon, | | | | the practice of giving presents which, it |
| Egypt and Germany celebrated fertility | | | | says, has too much significance and takes |
| rituals in the same month. Significantly the | | | | away from the spirit behind the celebration. |
| birth of the sun God Mithras, the largest | | | | |
| enemy of Christianity, was December 25th. | | | | Regardless of the origin, in the western |
| Hence the shift. | | | | world Christmas is a widely celebrated event, |
| | | | as a spirit of generosity appeals to people |
| The Celts in the British Isles believed all | | | | of all faiths, reaching across the divide and |
| green plants to be holy, above all, mistletoe | | | | bringing them together. The fun shared by |
| and holly. Consequently these two became a | | | | young and old alike at this time is best |
| part of the Christmas customs. Originating in | | | | enjoyed in giving rather than receiving, for |
| the Scandinavian observance of yule | | | | in giving we honor God's Gift to the world, |
| festivities, decorating a tree and burning | | | | and grow more generous. |
| the yule log were also included. This was | | | | |