Friday, December 4, 2009

History of Christmas Traditions

Some Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, to observe an event and not a tradition. But many other activities to celebrate the Christmas developed from certain traditions, many of which relate to other countries, especially nations in Europe.

A common use in Christmas decorations, Holly and mistletoe. Both are mainly used in wreaths and garlands. The Druids began the tradition of using mistletoe as decorative elements, up to two hundred years before Christ. To celebrate the winter season, the Druids gathered the plants and use them to decorate their homes. The Druids believed that mistletoe would bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. Also believed that mistletoe had beneficial effects and is used for everything from healing wounds to increase fertility.
In Scandinavia, mistletoe was a plant of peace and harmony and was associated with Frigga, the goddess of love. This association is probably what led to the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. In the Victorian era, the English mistletoe hanging from the ceiling and doors during the holidays. The habit, like someone was standing under the mistletoe, someone else in the room will embrace the person. Such behavior is not winning in the general Victorian community.
The use of mistletoe of Christmas was once banned by the church, but because of its associations with pagan traditions, and the use of holly was proposed instead.
Poinsettias used more traditional decorative flowers at Christmas. It is originally from Mexico, after Joel Poinsett, who was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico and the names of the plants to America in 1828. Mexicans believe that the plants are symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem is one of the reasons associated with Christmas. There is also a story that was a little boy to see the game in the Church of the Nativity, but realizes that he has a gift for the baby Jesus. The boy gathered green branches, others scoffed. But when placed near the manger, a bright red flower in bloom poinsettias began in an area which has a traditional use at Christmas.
Rods Candy, a Christmas tradition, because red and white stripes to show the colors of the season, but for the most unusual because of the discipline. Because they have been treated, first, that the German children to keep their good behavior is the term used for sermons in church. Over time, the legend of the candy tree for Christmas with some of the most powerful symbols and beliefs of Christianity would be involved: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the Trinity, the blood of the Son God, the Jesus as the embodiment of holiness and of known purity and sinless Son of God as the shepherd of man. Cane symbols respectively represent the three stripes, red and white, color and shape.
Have religious icons of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepherds and wise men are traditionally used for Christmas cards. Some cards are now scenes of the Nativity, but the images of Santa Claus, winter landscape, Christmas trees, gifts and other packages are also represented in modern Christmas cards.