CHRISTMAS is a joyful holiday that is celebrated by most people in the United States. Even though its origins are Christian, it has become a holiday season that is celebrated in various ways by people of many faiths.
The Christmas story comes from the Bible. In the story an angel appeared to shepherds and told them that a savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. Three Wise Men from the East (the Magi) followed a wondrous star, which led them to the baby Jesus. The Wise Men paid homage to the new child, and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Christmas has been associated with gift giving since the Wise Men brought these gifts to welcome the newborn baby. On Christmas Eve, December 24, many people attend evening church services, often at midnight. Attention is focused on the nativity scene, the story of the birth of Jesus, and on the spirit of Christmas.
Christmas Eve services often include the singing of Christmas carols. On Christmas morning some families also attend church services, but many families spend the morning at home, opening gifts and sharing a special meal. Some people visit friends and neighbors on Christmas Day. Because many American families are spread out throughout the country, the Christmas season brings a lot of travel.
Going home for Christmas is a most cherished tradition so the days before Christmas are some of the busiest times of the year at airports, train stations, and bus depots with people on their way to spend the holidays with their loved ones. Houses may be full of cousins, aunts, and uncles who might not see each other at other times during the year.
Family members help in the preparation of the festivities, including of course, making a l ot of food! The Christmas dinner table looks much like a Thanksgiving feast, with turkey or ham, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pie. No Christmas is complete without lots of desserts, like spicy fruitcake and cookies hot from the oven. A popular drink during the holiday parties and gatherings is eggnog, a beverage made of beaten eggs, cream, milk, sugar, spices, and maybe brandy or rum. Plenty of eggnog and hot chocolate are often on hand for family and visitors alike. Santa Claus Santa Claus’ origin goes back to Norse and preChristian mythological characters who were also associated with gift giving.
The Norse God, Odin, rode on a magical flying horse across the sky in the winter to reward people with gifts. In Scandinavian and other European countries, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas, comes into houses in the night and leaves gifts for the children, to bring happiness in the coldest months of the year.
The legend of Saint Nicholas may have developed from stories of a real Saint Nicholas, a priest who lived in the 300s AD, and reportedly gave money to a poor family. Saint Nicholas became a symbol for gift giving among Christians. Later, Saint Nicholas was substituted with a non-religious figure, Father Christmas, who was represented as a kindly man with a red cloak and long white beard. Immigrants brought the idea of Father Christmas to the United States. His name was eventually changed to Santa Claus, from the Dutch “Sinter Claas,” which means Father Christmas.
Santa Claus took shape in the United States, and Americans made him a cheery old gentleman with red cheeks and a twinkle in his eye. American children believe that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with his wife, Mrs. Claus, and his helpers, the elves. All year he keeps a list of the names of children in the world, and notes whether they have been good or bad. He decides what presents to give to the good children. He oversees the manufacturing and wrapping of the presents by his helpers. Santa Claus supposedly gets his ideas for the toys from the millions of children who write to him at the North Pole, explaining what they would like for Christmas. Children also find Santa Claus at shopping malls across the country. Gift-Giving Giving gifts is a major Christmas tradition. Gifts are bought or made for all people. Often school children will make gifts in their classrooms for their parents or grandparents.
The gifts are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas morning. Some children are so excited on Christmas Day that they wake up at the crack of dawn to peek into the living room. It is hard for them to wait until after breakfast before opening the gifts. Nowadays people often complain that Christmas has become too “commercialized,” especially in large cities. Shop owners begin advertising and decorating for Christmas as early as October in hopes of selling more goods. Children demand more from Santa Claus because manufacturers and retailers saturate the media with advertising. Children’s toys have become more complex and expensive.
Many kids ask for pricey electronic or sports equipment, while the trend for adults is also for larger, more expensive gifts. Some people believe that the origin and spirit of Christmas has been lost. Every year human-interest stories appear in the media reminding readers of the origin of Christmas. Shelters for the homeless and hungry appeal for money or gifts for those who are in need. Members of organizations like the Salvation Army dress up as Santa Claus and stand on the sidewalks collecting money for their soup kitchens.
City police and other groups supervise a “Toys for Tots” drive, in which people donate new toys for needy children. Company employees may take up a collection for a special charity or a family in need. Christmas Cards Another important custom of Christmas is to send and receive Christmas cards that express the sentiment of the season. Some cards are religious in nature; others are non-religious, or even humorous. Often the cards—or letters and photos—give information about family events from the previous year.
Americans send Christmas cards throughout December to friends, family, co-workers, and even business clients. Christmas cards often include a greeting for the New Year, wishing the recipient, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” Today many people choose cards that say simply, “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings,” which are inclusive of all faiths.
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