Origins of Popular Christmas Traditions
Ever wonder how some of our Christmas Symbols and Traditions were started? We’ve done some research and found some very interesting information.
The Date of Christmas
It wasn’t until 3 centuries after the birth of
Christ that Christians first recognized the holiday. Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome during the
first half of the third century, proposed January 2nd as the Date of Christ’s birth.
Others reasoned that Christ was conceived on March 25th and, therefore, must have been
born on December 25th. The change of calendars to the Gregorian calendar pushed back the
date to January 7th but December 25th remained the official celebration date. The truth is
no one knows the true date of the birth of Christ.
Gift Giving
There are several accounts for the beginning of the
tradition of gift giving. December 25th already marked the date of the Roman pagan ritual
of exchanging small gifts called "the return of the sun". It is also, and
probably more so, associated with the Magi who brought gifts to the Christ child.
Poinsettias
In 17th century Mexico, according to legend, a boy
named Pablo had no gift to lay at the manger scene at his village church. He picked up
green branches on his way to the Nativity display. Although the other village children
made fun of his gift, when he laid the bundle near the manger brilliant red star-shaped
flowers appeared on each branch.
Candy Canes
A candymaker in Indiana, to commemorate Christ,
developed a hard candy shaped like a letter "J" for "Jesus" and also
to resemble the staff of the Good Shepherd. The white in the candy stripe represents the
cleanliness of Christ and the red symbolizes the blood from the gashes Christ received
when he was crucified.
The Yule Log
Also from the pagan ritual of "the return of
the sun", in Britain and Scandanavia revelers burned a whole tree or large log while
dancing and singing to awaken the sun from its winter rest.
The Christmas Tree
Legend has it that the first Christmas Tree
originated in Germany at the time when people worshiped many gods. Winfred, an English
missionary, happened upon a group of people under a great tree about to slay a prince. He
demanded the tree to be cut down. As it fell another tree grew in its place, astounding
the group of people. He proclaimed that the tree was the "Tree of Life" and
represented the Christ child.
Another account of the origin of the Christmas Tree also came from Germany during the Middle Ages. In medieval plays about Adam & Eve a fir tree was often used as a prop and apples hung on it to symbolize the "Paradise Tree". Germans brought in their own fir trees on December 24th, the feast day of Adam & Eve. They hung wafers on the tree to celebrate communion and, because the next day was the Christmas holiday, candles representing Christ as the light of the world were added.
Want some great suggestions for Christmas presents? Visit Pond Doc's Home and Garden for unique home and garden accents for the interior and exterior of your home. Dress up your porch with matching gazing globes with huge red ribbons tied around them. Personalize your holidays with Personalized Family Holiday Photo Frames, Coaster Sets, Beveled Glass Engraved Ornaments and MORE available through Peggy's Personalized Products!
From Volume 2 of What's Up, Doc?,
November, 1998
© Copyright 1998, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights reserved.
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