Christmas tradition-

CHRISTENING ORIGIN

Both paganism and Roman culture are responsible for the origins of Christmas. In December, the Romans had two different feasts. The first was a two-week festival called Saturnalia that was held in honor of their agricultural god Saturn. They observed Mithra, their sun god's birth, on December 25. Both parties were rowdy and intoxicated.

In December, on the year's darkest day, the pagans also lit bonfires and torches to drive away the darkness. During their holidays, the Romans did the same thing. As Christianity spread over Europe, the Christian clergy failed to put an end to paganism and its festivals. They modified the pagan ritual because no one knew when Jesus was born.

CHRISTMAS TREE

The pagan tribes decked their homes with greenery as part of the solstice ceremonies in preparation for the approaching spring. Evergreen trees were believed to possess extraordinary abilities since they stayed green even on the darkest and coldest days. The Romans also decorated their temples with fir trees and metal shavings for Saturnalia. It is well known that the Greeks themselves decorated trees in honor of their gods. It's noteworthy that the first trees to be included in paganism were hung upside down from the ceiling.

When Germanic pagans worshipped the god Woden, they adorned evergreen trees in Northern Europe with torches and dried fruit, beginning the tradition of adorning trees.

ST. NICHOLAS (Santa Claus)

This Christmas custom has Christian roots rather than pagan ones because it was inspired by St. Nicholas. He was a bishop in the early Christian church and was imprisoned and persecuted for his faith. He was born in southern Turkey in the year 280. He came from an affluent background and was well known for his kindness to the underprivileged. There are several legends about him, but the most well-known one is how he prevented three daughters from being sold into slavery. Their father had no other option because there was no dowry to persuade a man to marry them. They are claimed to have been spared from their fate when St. Nicholas is said to have thrown riches through an open window into the house. According to legend, the gold fell into a drying sock by the fire, so kids began balancing stockings by their flames in trust St. Nicholas would throw gifts into them.

Out of appreciation for his passing, December sixth was pronounced St. Nicholas day. As time went on, every European culture adjusted adaptations of St. Nicholas. In Swiss and German societies, Christkind or Kris Kringle (Christ kid) went with St. Nicholas to convey presents to respectful youngsters. Jultomten was a blissful mythical being conveying gifts using a sled drawn by goats in Sweden. Then there was Father Christmas in Britain and Pere Noel in France. In the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Lorraine, France, and portions of Germany, he was known as Sinter Klaas. (Klaas, to make things abundantly clear, is an abbreviated form of the name Nicholas). This is where the Enfranchised St Nick Claus comes from.

AMERICA'S CHRISTMAS

In early America, Christmas was a muddle. Due to its agnostic origins and the raucous nature of the holidays, many people with Puritan principles curtailed Christmas. Different immigrants from Europe arrived and continued their own nations' traditions. In the 1600s, the Dutch brought Sinter Klaas to New York. The 1700s saw the development of German holiday customs. Each received acclaim from within their respective networks in a unique way.

The first signs of American Christmas appeared just after the middle of the 19th century. A series of tales by Washington Irving is about a wealthy landowner in England who invites his workers to join him for meals. Irving preferred people from various backgrounds and social classes to get together for a joyous occasion.

A PUBLIC EVENT

The country was looking for ways to put aside differences and come together as a nation after the civil war. President Ulysses S. Grant declared it a national holiday in 1870. And even if Christmas traditions have changed through the years, I believe Washington Irving's desire for a united celebration of the season endures. It has evolved into a time of year when we wish the best for other people, donate to the top charities, and spread joy. HAPPY CHRISTMAS.