Christmas Traditions

 As we start the Christmas season, I thought I would share Christmas traditions that are typical for our country. 

Christmas is the holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Although it is a religious holiday, many modern American customs were brought about from other countries. The Christmas season usually starts the day after Thanksgiving. 

"Christmas" comes from the phrase Christes Masse , the name Roman Catholics used for worship service on December 25th. Another name is Advent, meaning "coming", awaiting the Messiah.  In A.D. 336 the Roman Emperor Constantine declared December 25th to be the celebration of Christ's birth.   When the Empire split between east and west, the church in the east recognized January 6th as the celebration date. The time between December 25th and January 6th forms what has become known as the "12 Days of Christmas."

The Advent calendar started in Germany as a way for children to count down to Christmas by opening a door revealing a small gift. The tradition of the Advent calendar has become a favorite with children. Not only for the treat, but for the anticipation of Christmas day. The whole Advent experience represents hope and anticipation.

The advent candles are lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas. The first one represents hope. The second represents faith.The third joy and the fourth represents peace. The optional fifth one represent light and purity. It is placed in the middle and lit on Christmas day.

refrence - American Holidays - Bill Perry 

Christmas traditions - Wikipedia

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