Christmas
December 25 is an important and happy day for Christians around the world.
This is Christmas, a celebration of Jesus Christ based on different customs derived from the day of Christ’s birth.
Many Christmas customs are based on the birth of Christ. People gave gifts to each other, like Lighted Lantern Snow Globe, because the “three Kings” brought gifts for Baby Jesus.
Christians sing songs called “Carols” that tell the story of Christ’s birth. They used shepherds, three Kings and animal figures around the baby to show the birth of Jesus.
Some customs may have come from the harvest festival in December near Christmas.
Roman harvest festivals may have inspired the custom of feasting and gathering. The tradition of burning the Yule log probably came from harvest festivals in northern Europe.
And the name of the holiday (Christmas)
Short for Christ’s Mass. That’s the old name of the day, meaning a church Mass in praise of Christ.
Nowadays, one of the most popular Christmas customs is giving gifts.
In the United States and Canada, a magical figure called Santa Claus brings presents. Santa Claus wears a red suit with white fur. He has a big beard as white as snow.
Santa Claus drives through the sky in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. He slid down the chimney, left his presents, and was on his way again.
In England, the person who brings presents is called the Father of Christmas. He looks like Santa Claus, but his coat is longer and his beard is longer.
In some parts of Germany, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico, children receive gifts from Christ the Child. In Sweden, presents and goodies are brought by a Christmas elf. The elf had a sledge pulled by two sheep.
The Father of Christmas and Father Christmas are very popular in Australia and New Zealand. But in these countries, December is summer. So many people celebrate by going out for a picnic or playing on the beach.