Christmas Traditions

Every family has their own special Christmas traditions that make the holiday season memorable and exciting. Some traditions are older than the Christmas holiday itself, and others have evolved with Christmas celebrations over time. Check out the links on this page if you'd like to learn more about Christmas traditions.

Some families attend church services on Christmas Eve, and then on the way home they make it a point to look at all of the lights and decorations.YouTube Video: Christmas Traditions (Time: 2:10)

Participating in nativity plays and reenacting the story of the Christ Child's birth is often done on farms and in churches.YouTube Video: Christmas Traditions (Time: 2:10)

Opening windows on the advent calendar is a popular tradition that originated in Germany during the 19th century. It is still practiced in many households to this day.Advent Calendar Art: History of the Advent Calendar

The tradition of the Christmas tree originated more than a thousand years ago when Saint Boniface, on his quest to convert people to Christianity, came across a group of pagans worshiping an oak tree. To teach them a lesson, Saint Boniface cut down the tree, but a fir tree sprung from the oak tree's roots. He believed this to be confirmation of truth in the Christian faith.

In the 16th century the tradition of bringing fir trees indoors during Christmas began, and by the Victorian era many households were decorating fir trees with hand-blown glass ornaments in imitation of Queen Victoria.Christmas Tree Farm Network: The History of the Christmas Tree