Christmas Traditions Around The World

Christmas is a Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is typically celebrated on December 25th. The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ's mass," and the Roman Catholic church and most Protestant denominations observe Christmas after sundown on the 24th of December. Some Eastern Orthodox Church(s) practice it on January 6th, combining the day with Epiphany. Orthodox practice a Christmas Fast lasting 40 days (November 15 to December 24).

The story of the birth of Christ is told in the opening chapters of the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew. Each contains different elements of the Christmas story. The visit of the Archangel to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus in a manger are from Luke. The story of the Star of Bethlehem and the visit from the Wise Men bringing gifts of "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" are from Matthew.

It is worthwhile to note that December 25th is likely not the date of Jesus' actual birth. In the Biblical description of Jesus' birth, He was visited by three shepherds who had been out that night with their sheep. Shepherds would not have been out with their sheep in the winter. Jesus' birth date is more commonly agreed to be some time in the autumn. It was not until A.D. 440 that the church officially proclaimed December 25 as the birth of Christ. This was not based on any religious evidence but on a pagan feast. Saturnalia was a tradition inherited by the Roman pagans from an earlier Babylonian priesthood. December 25 was used as a celebration of the birthday of the sun god. It was observed near the winter solstice. [1]

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a Christmas tree (typically an evergreen tree) in their house, sing carols (songs), and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Wise Men and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as gift to mankind from God.

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The History of Christmas Ornaments
By Martin Swinton

In A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first mentions December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth. This date was likely influenced by the year-end pagan festivals to celebrate the harvest. Celebrations included specially prepared meals, decorating of homes, gift-giving and singing. Gradually, pagan traditions became a part of the Christian celebrations. Most Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree and ornaments came from central Europe. The earliest German Christmas trees were decorated with food; apples, onions, pears, nuts, candies, and fruits were placed on a tree.

In the 1800s, glass ornaments were first made in the Lauscha, Germany. This cottage industry involved the entire family. Generally, men did the glassblowing, women did the silvering and the children helped to paint and finish them. These beautiful new glass ornaments began to replace edible decorations.

In Victorian times, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, a German, brought the tradition from Germany to his new home in England. Soon all of England was in on it.

In the 1840s, Europeans immigrating to North America brought with them their Christmas traditions. Prior to that time, Christmas was not widely celebrated in North America. As society became more prosperous, ornaments became larger in size and the colors become more vibrant to reflect the new wealth.

F.W. Woolworth was the first North American retailer to sell glass ornaments. The story goes that he was not too sure about this new product line. However, Woolworth changed his mind by 1890 when he was selling $25 million worth of ornaments in his five-and-dime stores.

Until 1925, virtually all hand blown glass ornaments were manufactured in Lauscha, Germany. By 1935, more then 250 million Christmas ornaments were being imported to the United States. After WWII, the Lauscha area became a part of East Germany. Many glassblowers fled to West Germany and the industry declined. Around this time, Japan and Czechoslovakia began producing ornaments for the North American market

In the 1960's, glass ornaments went out of fashion when the aluminum tree adorned with ornaments of similar shape and color became the rage. Many traditional ornaments were thrown away during this period.

What to Look for in Antique Ornaments

If you're lucky enough to still have any vintage ornaments, hang on to them.

How to tell vintage versus new. Earlier ornaments were smaller than today's modern ornaments. They were usually done in soft colors with hand painted details. You'll notice that the paint may be faded or distressed in areas on vintage ornaments.

Hand blown versus machine made. Remove the stem from the base of the ornament. Ornaments that are hand blown will have an uneven base because the glass blower cannot make a clean break. Modern machine made ornaments will have a smooth even base.

Where to find vintage ornaments. Ebay, flea markets, church sales and garage sales are all good hunting grounds for vintage ornaments.

Prices

Prices can vary from $2 - $200 depending on the ornament and where you buy it.

Symbolism

Fruit and vegetable shapes symbolize the harvest.

Birds represent the biblical messengers that bring God's love and peace to the world. Birds were also symbolic of good luck and good fortune.

Pickle shapes signify luck.

Fish shape is an early Christian symbol for Christ.

Reflectors ornaments (ornaments with geometric concave indentations) during Victorian times, were often called witches eyes and were placed on the Christmas tree to fend off any evil spirits.

Star shapes represent the Star of Bethlehem.

Martin Swinton does antique appraisals and estate sales in Toronto, Canada. He has worked at an auction house, furniture restoration company and for ten years owned an antique shop. He does caning, cording and rushing repairs, teaches courses on antiques and appears at community events. He can be reached by visiting http://www.takeaboo.wordpress.com

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  According to Christian tradition, the Christmas tree is linked with St Boniface and the German town of Geismar. It is said that he cut down the tree of Thor in order to invalidate the authority of the Norse gods to the local Germans.  In the roots of the old tree Boniface  saw a fir tree.  He associated this with the Christian message and used it as a symbol of Christianity.
The tradition of the Christmas tree was promoted by Martin Luther.  He used it  as a protestant complement to the catholic nativity scene. Luther recognized the Christmas tree as a symbol of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden.
 The custom of erecting a Christmas tree can be historically traced to 16th century northern Germany

Links And Resources Christmas Traditions -The Christmas Tree

Christmas tree - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Origin. According to Christian lore, the Christmas tree is associated ... The tradition of the Christmas tree as it is today known is fairly young. ...

Origin of the Christmas Tree

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christmas tree decoration and its history

Decorate christmas trees,learn its history,traditions. tips on inexpensive decorations. free Christmas tree decoration ideas from theholidayspot.

Traditions: Christmas Trees and Ornaments The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshiping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.Links on the Christmas Tree Traditions!

Christmas traditions, Christmas tree history - The Christmas tree tradition most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to ...

All about the Christmas tree: Pagan origins, Christian adaptation ... - The Christmas tree tradition dates back to Western Germany in the 16th century. They were called "Paradeisbaum" (paradise trees) and were brought into homes ...

Christmas tree traditions and information = The true meaning of Christmas is tradition and family and what better way to express that then with a traditional real Christmas tree. ...

Christmas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century [32] though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition ...

Christmas on the Net - The Christmas Tree - The tradition of the Christmas tree eventually spread through out Europe. The English Royalty help popularize the tree in England by decorating the first ...

N.H. family's donation preserves Christmas tree tradition - The ... - HAMPTON FALLS, NH -- When the Tonry family created a conservation easement on 215 acres of woods and wetlands off Route 88 in the northwest corner of town, ...

The Tradition of Christmas - History of Christmas Tradition %u2022 Christmas Tree Tradition %u2022 Christmas Tradition around the World ... People across the world buy beautiful Christmas tree. ...

Boston benefits from N.S. Christmas tree tradition - The Boston Christmas tree, a 14-metre, perfectly formed spruce, arrives in the Massachusetts city on Monday, where police will escort it to the Boston ...

Articles - Creating a Christmas tree tradition Bringing families together ... moments happier than returning home with a fresh-smelling Christmas tree tied to the roof ...