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