Madison Beaver
Research Paper
College Prep 7
Table 3
Mrs. Wiersma
The Christmas season is regarded as a time to walk in a winter wonderland. It is a festive time that is celebrated religiously and recreationally. Families use Christmas as a time to gather and enjoy fellowship with each other. Traditions for families vary from giving presents to celebrating the birth of Jesus. Today, Christmas has many traditions that are regarded as agnostic but have religious roots. The Christmas celebration evolved greatly throughout the ages with each century adding a component to the progressing holiday.
Before Christmas was considered a holiday that celebrated the birth of Christ, there was a celebration called Saturnalia. Saturnalia, a Roman holiday, was a weeklong celebration involving lawlessness. The community would select a “Lord of Misrule.” According to Smith “These individuals [Lord of Misrule] were forced to indulge in gluttony and more perverse physical
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The tree has two believed origins. The first origin is Saint Boniface saving a child from a sacrifice by cutting down the base of a tree. According the article “What Is the Origin of the Christmas Tree," “He then told everyone that this lovely evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a holy tree - the tree of the Christ child, and a symbol of His promise of eternal life.” Another accepted perception is that in the Middle Ages Germans and Scandinavians would place evergreens inside their homes to show their hope that spring would come soon. Eventually in the 1840s and 1850s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularized the Christmas tree in England. They placed a decorated tree in their palace, and the English copied because of their adoration for the Queen (“What Is the Origin of the Christmas Tree"). Now, it is tradition for families to cut down an evergreen tree and place it in their house to place presents
The Christmas tree is an important symbol because it represents Nora’s life. The beginning of Act 2 states that the tree was tattered and stripped of ornaments, just like Nora’s life was falling apart.
Nothaft, C. The Origins of the Christmas Date: Some Recent Trends in Historical Research. Church
Christmas was originally supposed to be a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Modern historians suggest that Christ was actually born sometime in April, but that is hardly the point; the point is that a day on which to celebrate his birth and life was needed, and so one was chosen. During the season surrounding this holiday -- especially since it coincided with that of other, similar holidays -- it was thought right to honor Jesus by acting as he did, i.e., in a kind, generous, and forgiving manner. Out of this sprung the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this holiday.
The Bible provides no guidelines that explain how Christmas should be observed, nor does it even suggest that it should be considered a religious holiday. Because of the lack of biblical instructions, Christmas rituals have been shaped by the religious and popular traditions of each culture that celebrates the holiday.
The first thing that comes up in my mind when I hear the word 'Christmas' is Christmas trees. There is no certain story of how the Christmas tree began, but there are some good theories.
According to William Muir Auld’s book Christmas Traditions, the Christmas tree found its way into the hearts and homes of Christian people with their thoughts and sentiment. Auld writes, “On the night in which Christ was born, all the trees in the forest, despite snow and ice, bloomed and bore fruit” (Auld 138). This story was first told by a geographer of the tenth century named Georg Jacob. This story was as highly believed as the birth of Christ. Christmas trees can be dated back through writing, specifically songs and are associated with the Church, specifically to post-Reformation times. The trees, which decorate homes worldwide, are linked to a spiritual tradition practiced by a variety of religious groups. (The Fir Tree, page 241 in
Few people can confidently say why the United States celebrates Christmas on December 25. And I imagine even fewer people know why we give gifts, or why we pucker up when we find ourselves under some mistletoe. The answers to these questions are under a thick layer of rich human and mythological history. For me, the majority of these discoveries were absolutely shocking—Christ was never in Christmas.
The Christmas tree can truly be called a Victorian innovation. The custom of a lighted tree began in Germany then made its way to America. “It wasn't until Prince Albert, of German descent, brought the Christmas tree to England in 1840 that it gained popularity there. By 1847, the trees at Windsor Castle were laden with presents as well as wax candles.” Michelle J. Hoppe. The tradition spread as English citizens followed the Royal example. The trees and other decorations were removed on Twelfth Night (January 6).
...g the children gifts. Instead Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar do! The children often leave their shoes filled with barley and wheat on balconies, porches, or under the Christmas tree, for the 3 kings to leave presents in during the night. In the morning the barley and wheat is replaced with toys, candy, and other gifts!
Before we examine the new Christmas celebration during the Victorian era in England- due to Mr. Dickens, we must review the pre- victorian, or Regency Period Christmas (1811-1820). The Regency Period was the contrary to popular belief, early Christmas celebrations were very much different than the Christmas we all know and love today. This Christmas was much more boring with “Simple decorations” according to Paula Wrightston. Unfortunately for the younger people Wrightston says that a Regency Christmas was more of an adult affair. Not only were traditions and age requirements different, but the actual dates differed as well with the first day of the season being the 24th of December running through the 6th of January making the Christmas season 12 days in length (Wrightston). So far it seems as if dickens’ made Christmas much more enjoyable for future generations most definitely. Although the early Christmas was different, some traditions never change. One example of this is the Christmas puddings, Wrightston says that although the Regency era people did not specifically have Christmas Pudding, they had a more liquified version of this t...
Every year at the end of November everyone can start to see the emergence of Christmas decorations. The Christmas decorations signal to the public that Christmas is near. And during this time there tends to be many discounts and promotions but out of all the sales hat are offering, there is one major purchase that everyone must face each year, and that is the Christmas tree. But purchasing a Christmas tree can harm the environment, can be high maintenance, and become a fire hazard, an artificial tree is a much better alternative.
One might ask, where did the tradition Santa Claus come from? The answer to this question unfortunately is not quite as straight forward. Somehow this tradition wove itself into the holiday season during the 4th century from Turkey, where a wealthy bishop, by the name of Nicholas habitually gave gifts to children. Following the death of Nicholas, he was honored as a saint, Sinter Nikolass, and a holiday was established in honor of him on December 6th. Dutch people in the Netherlands later shortened the saint's name to Sinter Klaas, which eventually evolved into Santa Claus in the US following Dutch i...
Christmas decorations should create a feeling of magic. The desire to create a magic home and bringing the spirit of Christmas can seem heavy these days. It becomes heavy and hard to carry, that parents now feel over the need to make
A Christmas tree itself is a symbol of joy, so that is why it is used. Through all times and even in the Bible trees and flowers have been a subject of wonderment; a symbol of life, that is why Ibsen uses this as a symbol of Nora’s feelings. The play, “A Doll’s House” has a very symbolic title.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Every year, my parents add a little more to the outside decorations. My mom, sisters, our children and myself decorate the inside of the house. My mom has so many indoor decorations that they can not all possibly be displayed. We try to change the decorations, which we put out every year. The men finish up just about the same time as, we women and then it is time to decorate the tree together. The children love this the most.