A Short History of Christmas

By: Alexis and Katherine

The History of Christmas

Christmas past, present and future

The Real Reason For Christmas

The reason we celebrate Christmas today, is not how we celebrated Christmas a long time ago. In fact, it has changed lots over the years. But, let’s talk about the real meaning of Christmas…..

The Beginning of Christmas

In the time of King Herod, in the small town of Bethlehem, a baby boy was born to a young virgin. Little did she know, this child would be the Savior of all humanity; the only way the God.

King HerodBorn 74 BCRuled: 37 BC - AD 4

Died- AD 4

The Angels Speak to Mary At around 6 BC in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, a young

woman by the name of Mary was pledged to be married to a carpenter, Joseph. But before they were married the angel Gabriel came to Mary, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, pronounced that she would soon become pregnant. Gabriel then spoke, stating that the son in which she carried would be named “Jesus, because he will save His people from their sins.” It became clear that her first child would not be a ‘normal’ child; in fact, the baby would be the Son of God.

The Visit to Elizabeth

Once Gabriel left her, Mary then went to stay with her cousin Elizabeth during the harvest. While there, though well past the age of childbearing, Elizabeth gave birth to a son who was later known as John the Baptist.

Joseph's Dream

When hearing that his soon-to-be wife was pregnant with which he believed was another man’s child, Joseph decided he would divorce her quietly. But as soon as he decided this, the Holy Spirit came upon him in the dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”.

The Census

Meanwhile, Caesar Augustus issued an order that a census should take place in the entire Roman empire. Because of this, Joseph and Mary were required to go to Bethlehem, for that was the birthplace of Joseph.

Born in the Manger

When the census was issued, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Though because of the crowds for the census, there became no room at any inn, therefore Mary and Joseph were without shelter. Luckily, a kind man allowed the two to stay in his stable for the night and it was there that Mary gave birth to the King of all Kings.

The Three Magi

According to legend, as Jesus is born, three magi from the east began to follow the star above the manger in order to worship the Christ. While on their journey, news of them traveled to King Herod, who immediately called upon the three to question them. Once hearing the news they brought, King Herod then told them to come to him when they found the Messiah. Eventually after the magi had seen Jesus, an angel spoke to the three magi warning them not to go to Herod for Herod truly had wanted to kill the Messiah. Filled with anger at the way the magi had outwitted him, Herod then issued an intrusion of Roman soldiers to kill all male children under the age of two in Bethlehem.

Starting To Switch Theories

Over the years, people started to wonder if Jesus’s birthday was really the reason for Christmas. Famous scientist, Isaac Newton argued that Christmas was the turn of the winter solstice. Soon, people started celebrating Christmas as just a day to get together and have a feast. They also went caroling and decorating their houses. But soon, a man named Saint Nicholas changed Christmas’s meaning in a whole new way…

Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was a good man. He lived in what is now Turkey. Nicholas had an urge to help the poor, and would live little gifts at their doorsteps, without showing his face. Before long, it became a tradition all around the world! Saint Nicholas is now called a name you’ve probably heard of….Santa Claus.

Santa Claus

After Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus became a very big tradition. Parents started to tell their children a common story: “On Christmas Eve (December 24th ), Santa gets in his sleigh,

and with the help of the reindeer, he jets off and flies around the world. He delivers all the Christmas gifts to all the good children, and takes a drink of the milk and a bite of their cookies. After he delivers all the gifts, he flies back home to the North Pole and he and the elves celebrate, and start preparing for next Christmas.”

As you now, Santa is not real. It is of course the parents that deliver the gifts. But, it is a tradition, and it is celebrated differently around the world. Let’s find out how….

Christmas Around the World

United States In the United States, Christmas is celebrated with Santa Claus, the reindeer and the

annual giving of Christmas gifts. Families put up their Christmas trees and decorate them with ornaments, streamer, and folly. Many families also go around caroling to their neighbors. People also put Christmas lights on their house, and put up and nativity scene in their yards to remind people the real meaning of Christmas.

Mexico In Mexico, people go around door to door in memory of when

Joseph and Mary went door to door looking for a room to stay. The alsobreak piñatas open and eat candy. Mexico’s Christmas last nine days, starting December 16th, and ending December 25th.

Germany Germans celebrate Christmas in ways similar and unsimilar to America. On

December 6th, Germans celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. On Christmas Eve, they give gifts and celebrate with friends or family. They tell their children that gifts were given by Saint Nicholas, who is like Santa Claus. They also put up Christmas Trees and Christmas lights to adorn their house for the holiday.

Christmas Around the World

Australia Australia celebrates Christmas similar to the United States. They tell their

children about Santa, and decorate the houses, but they live out Plum cake and liqueur for Santa Claus. Australians like to eat big meals in celebration of Christmas, and their meals include mince pies, trifle, plum pudding with brandy butter, Christmas crackers and candy canes. And because it is hot during Christmas in Australia, some meals include sea food such as crab, and any other fish.

Nigeria In Nigeria, Christmas is a public holiday. Nigerians have many

traditions to celebrate the Christmas holiday. On Christmas Eve, they eat foods such as lyan, eba, or amala., three times a day! They also eat whatever food is offered, because it is considered rude to decline food in Nigeria. They also decorate their compounds with Christmas lights and Christmas trees.

Russia Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th . Even though they don’t

celebrate Christmas on December 25th, they do have ‘Holy Supper’ on Christmas Eve. They celebrate the Holy Supper in honor of the 12 disciples. Russians also believe in Saint Nicholas, and fill their child’s shoes with candy.

A Christmas Video

This Christmas Video is a common story that parent’s tell their children every year.

Common Christmas Food

Here are a list of foods most American families enjoy at Christmas time:

Candy Canes EggnogPot Roast Hot ChocolateApple Cider Mixed NutsFruitcake Christmas

CookiesGingerbread Tea CakesPie Cranberry SaucePlum Pudding Oyster Stew

Christmas Trees

Every year at Christmas, families put up Christmas trees. These trees are decorated with ribbons, ornaments, stars, lights, etc. Here is a picture of Christmas Tree:

Fun things about Christmas

There is more to Christmas that meets the eye….except for Christmas cards! Every year families send out Christmas cards saying Merry Christmas. Many Christmas cards include a picture of the family.

Many friends like to exchange or give gifts at Christmas. A common tradition is ‘Secret Santa's’. Friends secretly give their friends gifts and do not tell them who it was that gave the gift. Like we said earlier, many families put out Nativity

Scenes. Nativity Scenes were started to remind people of the real meaning of Christmas.

Reindeer

You can’t talk about Christmas and not talk about reindeer. Reindeer are the animals believed to fly Santa’s sleigh, led by the famous Rudolph, ‘the red nosed reindeer’. Reindeer are pictured as deer with larger antlers that can of course fly.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So we’ve talked about Jesus' birth, Santa Claus, Christmas traditions, Christmas foods, Caroling, and reindeer. To close, let us tell you one thing: Merry Christmas!

CHRIST