Christmas

The term Christmas is a translation of the Old English version – ‘Cristes Maesse’ which literally means the “Mass of Christ”.

It is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar and the most auspicious and holistic Christian festival observed across the globe on December 25th with much fanfare.

December 25th is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ, who is believed to be born on the same date at Bethlehem, the land of Jews. The festival is celebrated as a mark of respect to Lord Jesus, who is considered as the son of God and founder of the Christian religion.

Christmas is basically celebrated by the Christians; but it is also observed as a day of celebration by other communities around the globe.

Our modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions from around the globe.

Many of the most popular Christmas customs – including Christmas trees, mistletoe, Christmas presents, and Santa Claus – are modern incarnations of the most depraved pagan rituals ever practiced on earth.

Merry Christmas is a common phrase exchanged amongst Christians. As defined in the modern day, ‘Merry’ means cheerful or festive. However, the most widely accepted meaning of the word is peaceful or blessed.

Therefore, wishing someone Merry Christmas is truly wishing them a peaceful or blessed ‘Mass of Christ”.

Merry Christmas is a common phrase exchanged amongst Christians. As defined in the modern day, ‘Merry’ means cheerful or festive. However, the most widely accepted meaning of the word is peaceful or blessed. Therefore, wishing someone Merry Christmas is truly wishing them a peaceful or blessed ‘Mass of Christ”.

Origin of Christmas

Christmas has had a long and varied history. It has been celebrated for centuries by different people, at different times, in different places, and in many different ways.

The early Christians who were the hunted feet in the Roman Empire could not celebrate the birth of Jesus and under compulsion had to practice their religion in secret because Christianity in Rome had grown up in blood and tears.

To publicly profess their religion meant grave risks to life and many a time resulted in death punishments. As such events connected with the life of Christ were commemorated by fasts, prayers and rites but not by public celebrations.

But after the conversion of Emperor Constantine to the Christian religion in 4th century A.D. that creed, professed by a few secret groups of enthusiastic believers was transformed into the religion of vast masses of humanity in Europe, Western Asia and North Africa.

With this creed thus firmly established, the need for a popular festival to annually celebrate the birth of Christ was felt. But different groups had been celebrating Jesus's birth on different dates like 6th January, 19th April, 20th May, 17th November and 25th December.

By the 5th century A.D. 25th December got accepted as the most suitable date in the Western World and gradually the Eastern Churches fell in line with the west and did away with non-Christian religious rites and old traditions and introduced Christian rites and legends.

In India all the Christians do not recognize this date. The Syrian Christians who belong to Kerala do not celebrate on 25th December. Those who belong to Kerala celebrated it on 7th January with procession of elephants and musicians. Those processions were almost like Hindu Temple festivals. It was believed that those processions spiritually elevated the places through which they passed and also prevented epidemics. The music, fireworks and illuminations turned cold, dark winter nights into bright, dazzling days.

Gaily decorated crosses of gold or silver were the main sacred symbols that were taken out in processions but with arrival of the Portuguese on the scene, images of saints were added to the procession. Those age-old pageants are now being replaced in Syrian churches by community prayers and services, aiming at spiritual uplift of the congregation.

Yet most of the Syrian Catholic Churches even today take out small processions.

The Portuguese who established their supremacy in the coastal regions of India during 16th century A.D. were ardent supporters of Christianity. So the Christian religion spread widely in their dominion. Christians observe certain days like the Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter to commemorate certain events in the last 8 days of Christ's life- Crucifixion and his Resurrection.

From Goa, the capital of the Eastern Empire of the Portuguese, missions were sent to several places in the country even to the Mogul court, but those missions did not achieve any spectacular success. It was only during the British period that the Christian religion spread all over the country.

The festival of Christmas is celebrated for ten continuous days. The end of these Christian festivities is the New Year day. The British introduced the Gregorian calendar and throughout their rule it was the only calendar in use for official purposes. Even after they left and India became independent that calendar is being followed in India for official purposes. The first day of January is the New Year day of the Gregorian calendar.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, or Santa, is a legendary and mythical figure, who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus is the most popular Christmas icon in the world today.

Generally, Santa is depicted as a fat, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat, carrying a bagful of gifts and flying in a sleigh pulled by reindeers.

The history of Santa Claus begins with a man called Saint Nicholas, who is believed to have been born around 280 AD in Patara near Myra (now Turkey). He was the Christian Bishop of Myra and was believed to be a generous and kind-hearted man, devoted particularly to children.

There are several theories behind how his name transformed from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus.

Some say that as “Santa” comes from the word “Saint” and “Claus” is an abbreviation for the name Nicholas in Germany, thus – “Santa Claus” came into existence.

Santa Claus is believed to fly in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeers.

The Eight Reindeers are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dixen, Comet, Cupid, Donor and Blitzen.

Rudolf was not part of the original reindeer but came later from the song - Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

A poem is associated with the arrival of Santa Claus, titled - 'Santa Claus is coming to Town'

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to Town

He's making a list

And checking it twice

Gonna find out who's naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to Town

He sees you when you're sleeping

He knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to Town

Santa Claus is coming to Town !!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Superstitions

It is observed that most of the Festivals celebrated across the world are based on some prior myths, beliefs and observations. There are many beliefs that do not even have a strong proof of, but are widely practiced and acknowledged by people. Superstitions are such beliefs that do not have a associated proof yet find a space in the hearts of people.

Some of the common Christmas Superstitions / Myths are listed below:

The child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune.

Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green.

You will have as many happy months in the coming year, as the number of houses you eat mince pies in during Christmastime.

In Greece, some people burn their old shoes during the Christmas season to prevent misfortunes in the coming year.

To have good health throughout the next year, eat an apple on Christmas Eve.

The gates of Heaven open at midnight on Christmas Eve. Those who die then go straight to Heaven (an Irish belief).

Christmas candles should be left burning until Christmas morning and should rest undisturbed from time of lighting until they are snuffed.

Singing Christmas carols at any time other than during the festive season is unlucky.

The yule log should be lit by a piece of the log used on the previous Christmas. Once that is done, no evil spirit can then enter into the house. The remains of the Yule log were also considered lucky, and would be a protection against lightning or fire.

Christmas Celebrations

Christians all over the world celebrate the birth or Nativity of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, on 25th of December every year.

People decorate their houses, erect Christmas trees, and make cribs with figures of baby Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph, the three kings who come to visit the baby and shepherd boys and their herds grazing around depicting the scenes of Jesus's Birth in the Bible.

They decorate the Christmas tree, hang stars, gifts and illuminate them.

On Christmas day, people enjoy a sumptuous Christmas lunch. Christmas cakes and wine are served to visitors and exchanged as gifts among friends and relatives.

Carol singing, get-togethers and the exchanging of gifts enhance the Christmas spirit. Christmas parties launch off celebrations for the New Year, thus retaining the festive mood for at least a week.

Shops and homes take on a festive air. Streets and markets go gay with festival wares.

Dances, songs, Christmas trees, Santa Claus moving through the streets with his glittering colorful robes, glowing long white beard and shaking hand with children in the streets form the main attraction of this festival.

Families get together around sparkling Christmas trees from whose branches hang numerous lovely gifts.

When the youngsters receive the gifts and open them, they dance with joy.

Both men and women, young and old take pains in designing the cribs, sheep and shepherds, old Joseph, young Virgin Mary, Child Jesus nestling in his cradle of hay, angels floating in the star-studded sky and the Three Wise Men on the fringe of horizon.

The day is spent in meeting friends and relatives.

Delicious dishes of turkey, wine and Christmas cakes are eaten and served to visitors. Greeting cards to wish joy and peace are exchanged.

The night is enlivened with dances, carols and mid-night masses in all the churches. Youngsters dance hilariously on the streets singing carols to the accompaniment of musical instruments.

The most popular carol is:

"Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace."

Christmas in India

Christmas is also celebrated by Indian Christians with equal enthusiasm as by the World Community.

Christmas is a festival which is celebrated from 24th of December, till the arrival of New Year.

People go to a Church to participate in mass prayers organized by the Church to offer their thanks to Lord Jesus for their happiness and prosperity. People greet each other at the Church and take the blessings from the Father.

Christmas is celebrated among Christians as Diwali is celebrated by Hindus. People decorate their houses with clay lamps, special carols are sung by the group.

Sometimes Banana tree and Mango leaves are also used to decorate the house.

This is the most important and the gayest festival of the Christians.

Other communities in India also look upon it as a festival of goodwill and greetings.

During the British period it was celebrated on an All-India basis and the ten days from the Christmas Eve i.e. the evening of 24th December till after the New Year were declared as public holidays.

Children and youngsters look forward to Christmas holidays when they enjoy themselves to their heart's content.

It was also during the British period that the Christian missions penetrated to the interior of India even to the tribal regions, resulting in the number of people who were converted to Christian faith. This resulted in the Christians becoming the third most important community in India.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN GOA

Christmas Celebrations in Goa has a different fanfare associated with it. Christmas is one festival which witnesses the highest involvement of people from all religions. Dancing and parties is the highlight of Christmas celebration in Goa, with all Goans and Tourists participating in it with delight. Eat, Drink, Dance and Celebrate is the motto of Goans during the period. Gifts are exchanged, Carols are sung, which in all makes Goa look even more beautiful!

Christmas Carols

Christmas Carols are the special songs sung during the Christmas season. The songs are about Lord Jesus Christ and the time when he was born.

Christmas Carols were banned between 1647 and 1660 in England by Oliver Cromwell who thought that Christmas should be a solemn day.

The lyrics of one of the most popular Christmas Carols – ‘Jingle Bells Jingle Bells’ is given below. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,

Over the fields we go, laughing all the way.

Bells on bob-tails ring, making spirits bright,

What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

(Chorus)

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride

And soon Miss Fanny Bright, was seated by my side;

The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot;

He got into a drifted bank and we got upsot

(Chorus)

A day or two ago, the story I must tell

I went out on the snow, and on my back I fell;

A gent was riding by, in a one-horse open sleigh

He laughed as there I sprawling lie but quickly drove away

(Chorus)

Now the ground is white, go it while you're young

Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song;

Just get a bob-tailed bay, two-forty as his speed

Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! you'll take the lead

(Chorus)

Christmas Songs

Christmas is a time of merriment and frolic. All around the world Christmas is celebrated with immense gusto and fervor. Following are some beautiful Christmas poems, for your loved ones on this occasion of Christmas.

It's Christmas Time Again

(by Bob Lazzar-Atwood)

Put your problems on probation

Run your troubles off the track,

Throw your worries out the window

Get the monkeys off your back.

Silence all your inner critics

With your conscience make amends,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you

Let all the fighting cease,

Give your differences a breather

And declare a time of peace,

Don't let angry feelings taint

The precious time you have to spend,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water

Or a gentle summer breeze,

Like a fresh bouquet of flowers

Or the smell of autumn leaves,

It's a banquet for the spirit

Filled with family, food and friends,

So allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Message From Santa Claus

If it were in my powers,

I would bring peace and love,

To this world of ours,

But I don't have magic enough,

I can cross the sky,

and pass by the stars,

But I can't seem to stop,

Any of hatred's wars,

I see children on the street,

With no hope left,

in the eyes.

So many homeless people

with no where to sleep.

And my heart cries.

I can't give the things they need,

Oh But God I would try.

I'm only a fantasy,

that once took wings to fly,

Some are deceived,

by the gifts that money can buy,

But those who truly believe,

see the gift with the heart,

not with the eye,

I sometime stop and go to my knees,

and pause,

and I too always pray,

That we will find a end to wars,

and live in peace one day.

For all those who believe in me,

I will continue my cause,

Across the stars,

over the wars,

On Christmas Eve,

For the hearts that still believe,

In Santa Claus

The Christmas Gift

Born this night a world of sin,

The rince of Peace the Redeemer of Men.

This child of God, that was sent from on High.

To be born of Mary to suffer and die!

Rejested by men from the day of His birth;

To suffer and die on Calvary's tree.

For the sins of the world to set me free.

From Bethlehem to Golgotha, he never complained

Laughed at! Spit on! Mocked in shame!

He was born of a women, but He knew no sin,

This babe in the Manger the Saviour of Men!

More of Glenna's Poems

A Christmas Greeting

Sure hope you don't think this greeting is late

Cuz the Spirit of Christmas we celebrate

With joy in our hearts, as we ponder the love

Our God and Father was sent from above

Jesus is the reason we create such a fuss

our Emmanuel is born, yes, God is with us

This joy can't be contained in one day only

So Christmas has 12, that we might savor it slowly!

Merry Christmas!

It's a wonderful feeling

Made all the more specials because

I know this is just the beginning

Of the understanding and

Trust we will share, for with the time.

Sometimes I feel like a flower, opening up beneath

The golden warmth of your love,

Responding to the sunshine

That the very sight of you brings

I want to know you completely…

I want to give all of myself to you.

Holding nothing back

Except for the mystery that

Allows us to be separate people~

Joined by one beautiful love.

Merry Christmas with all my love.

Christmas in the air!

It's Christmas in the air!

Snowflakes in December

Children site with Santa's toys

Their gloves wiping crystalline ice,

Off shiny plastic

Our breath thick like fog

Mingles in oneness

As we stand back to

Look upon the completion

Of our Christmas trees

Giggling from heady wine

And feelings shared

It's Christmas in the air!

The True Spirit of Christmas

by Marajo Tenderass

Lots of people

Crowds everywhere

Rushing and pushing and shoving,

Going nowhere.

It's Christmas time again

Have to get all those things done

Hustle, bustle, quickly,

We must beat the sun.

Must get this and must get that

Maybe this nic, maybe that nak

When did it happen?

When did we lose track...

It's a race, yes it is

We are running, yes we are

But lets not forget

Before we get too far-

What is really really important

Doesn't take much to figure out

Take time to love

and love from the heart.

Christmas Quotes

•There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child."

•Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas

•The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung."

•This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."

•Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree."

•There are no strangers on Christmas Eve."

•To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world."

•Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given--when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes."

Christmas Crafts

There is a common tradition on Christmas to decorate houses and Christmas trees. People are often seen visiting markets for the purpose of buying decoration products.

The fun of home made accessories cannot be duplicated with any readymade products. Many people especially ladies have interest in making attractive decorative products at home, but at times loose on ideas. Following are some amazing, easy to make decoration accessories that will surely make the Festival of Christmas memorable this season.

1.Christmas Bead Ornaments

2.Christmas Stocking Craft

3.Glitter Bells

4.Jingle Bell Door Hanger

5.Paper Mache Reindeer

Christmas Greetings & SMS Messages

Christmas is a festival of merriment and frolic. It is celebrated with immense joy and devotion all across the world.

Any festival is incomplete without greetings and wishes. These days’ greetings are generally exchanged over internet and mobile phones.

Enlisted find some amazing Merry Christmas messages that can be used in SMS, E-Mails, Greetings and other forms of exchanging wishes.

•May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. Christmas is the time of giving and sharing. It is the time of loving and forgiving. Merry Christmas to Everyone!

•Dear Everyone Merry Xmas! May the grace of Our Mighty Father be with you all during this eve of Christmas. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year. God Loves You.

•To Everybody, As you celebrate Christmas, may you experience true love. Jesus is the reason for the season and he is the epitome of true love. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

•Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

•May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.Wish you lots of love, joy and happiness. MERRY CHRISTMAS

•May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer this Holy season, and throughout the year. Wish your Christmas be filled with peace and love. Merry X-Mas!

•Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, making everything softer than snowflakes and all the more beautiful. Wish you a Magical Christmas!

Jingle Bells are ringing the wishes of Christmas. Sending the warmest Christmas wishes on soft snowflakes just for you!

•Faith makes all things possible; Hope makes all things work and Love makes all things beautiful. May you have all the three for this Christmas. Merry Christmas!

•On this Christmas, remember, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. So be joyful and make others joyful too! Merry Christmas!

•Joy resonates in the hearts of those who believe in the spirit of Christmas! Wishing you all the peace, joy, and love of the Christmas season!

•Christmas is a state of mind when you cherish peace and goodwill. The real spirit of Christmas is to have mercy, love and faith.

•Lets welcome the year which is fresh and new, Lets cherish each moment it beholds, Lets celebrate this blissful New Year. Merry X-Mas!

•New is the year, new are the hopes and the aspirations, new is the resolution, new are the spirits and forever my warm wishes are for u. Have a promising and fulfilling New Year!

Christmas Facts

There are some very interesting and strange facts about Christmas that many people believe in. These facts will certainly arouse your interest:

•In Ukraine, finding a spider web on Christmas morning, is supposed to be very lucky and auspicious. According to a Ukraine folk tale there once lived a woman so poor, that she could not afford Christmas decorations for her family. One Christmas morning, she awoke to find that spiders had trimmed her children’s tree with their webs. When the morning sun shone on them, the webs turned to silver and gold. An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees.

•On the day of Christmas it is considered sacred to exchange kisses beneath mistletoe tree. Mistletoe was once considered the symbol of peace and friendship. That is why kissing one’s loved one on the day of Christmas is considered merry for the relationship.

•“Klaxon”, the name of one of Santa’s reindeer is actually the name of an electric horn. It has been derived from German origin.

•In many households there is a tradition of hiding some ornament or article in the pudding. What one finds in the pudding signifies upcoming fortune. For Example, finding a ring signifies marriage, finding a coin means wealth is on the way and many such articles are associated with different meanings.

•The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".

•The "Urn of Fate" is part of the Christmas celebrations in many Italian households. The Urn of Fate is brought out on Christmas Eve. It holds a wrapped present for everyone. The mother tries her luck first, then the others in turn. If you get a present with your name on it, you keep it; otherwise, you put it back and try again.

•One of the popular decoration ideas used especially in Sweden is Julbukk. It refers to a goat. These models are made of straw and signify stars, angels.