A Very Merry Christmas
Traditions, Customs, History and Folklore
QuestMagazine.com
Christmas is the annual holiday of Christianity that commemorates the birth of the Christian savior, Jesus. It is observed on December 25. In America it is celebrated in both religious and secular ways.
American Christmas traditions and customs range from religious symbols to the legends of Santa Claus. Their origins and history are both Christian and pagan. They encompass Christmas folklore, legends, family practices, interior and exterior displays, and perennial television shows and movies. Many American Christmas traditions originated as German traditions.
Christmas tree
The history of the Christmas tree has its roots in pre-Christian Germany. Religious rites were held in the forests and trees were decorated with candles. The oak was sacred to the ancient Germans, in particular to the god Odin, so it was often the oaks that were lit and not the pines. The use of evergreens can be traced back to the 8th century, which is when St. Boniface engaged in the common practice of adopting local pagan customs to help Christianize the indigenous peoples. He substituted the fir tree (Tannenbaum) for the oak of Odin and then he dedicated it to Christ, making it the Christbaum. The creation of the modern Christmas tree is often attributed to the founder of the Lutheran movement, Martin Luther (1483-1546). This is questionable but there are "Tannenbaum" songs that date back to the middle of the 16th century. By the 19th century the Christmas tree had become popular in Europe and America, having been introduced by German immigrants.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus also has connections to Germany. When Germany was being Christianized in the early Middle Ages, St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop of Asia Minor, became popular there. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and his feast day is December 6th. Gradually a custom grew up where on the eve of St. Nicholas' feast day children would place their shoes or boots out for St. Nicholas to fill with candy and fruit, with the bad children getting twigs. St. Nicholas carried with him a book of sins with which he determined whether the child warranted the goodies or the twigs. Historically, St. Nicholas rode a white horse and he traveled with a dark-faced companion. The most common one was called Knecht Ruprecht. After the Protestant Reformation in Germany, German authorities wanted to do away with the image of a Catholic saint distributing gifts, so the idea of Santa Claus was born. Also created were the white beard, red suit, and sleigh. He became known by several names in different parts of Germany. These include Klaasbuur, Rauklas, Bullerklaas, and Sunnercla. In the eastern part of Germany, he is Ash Man, Shaggy Goat, or Rider. The American "Kris Kringle" is a corruption of the German term Christkindl ("Christ Child").
Nativity Scene
A Nativity Scene, also called a crèche (meaning crib in French), refers to a depiction of the birthplace of Jesus. At the very least it includes the figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, as well as the manger.
Christmas gift
In the United States, children receive their gifts from Santa Claus. Christmas presents are usually opened on Christmas Day but some people open their gifts on Christmas Eve.
Additional traditions
* Christmas card
* Christmas carol
* Christmas colors: red and green
* Christmas lights
* Christmas yard
* Mistletoe
* Mrs. Claus
* Santa's elves
* Santa's reindeer
* Wreath
Movies and television specials
* A Charlie Brown Christmas
* A Christmas Carol (1951 movie)
* Frosty the Snowman
* How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
* It's a Wonderful Life
* Miracle on 34th Street
* Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
* Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
* The Little Drummer Boy
* The Year Without a Santa Claus
* White Christmas
Books
* Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins. (2003). ISBN 978-0310248804
See also
Hal Siemer is a historian, folklorist, religious researcher, writer, and the Editor of Quest Magazine. He has done extensive research on the Knights Templar, Freemasonry, ancient mysteries and Halloween and Christmas customs, traditions, and folklore. He founded and was president of a public policy think tank. He previously has worked as a lobbyist for nonprofit organizations and has been a political consultant.
Hal Siemer frequently is a guest on radio talk shows. His writing has appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Austin Review, and other newspapers.
Hal Siemer's professional society memberships include the:
* American Anthropological Association
* American Folklore Society
* Medieval Academy of America
* Society for the Anthropology of Religion
Copyright © 2006 Quest TM Magazine
