Christmas is a Christian holiday observed each year in commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The holiday is celebrated in both religious and secular manners. While Christians celebrate the day as the birth of Jesus, people around the world celebrate the day by exchanging gifts brought by a variety of cultural icons. In the United States, gifts are brought by Santa Claus, while in other countries Father Christmas or St. Nicholas are a part of the holiday traditions.
Christmas gift giving traditions are believed to date back to ancient Rome and northern Europe. In the United States, stockings are hung for gifts to be left, while in Scandinavia, children leave shoes at the fireplace for the same reason.http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/trivia/gifts.htm
Christmas is traditionally a day spent with loved ones, attending church, opening presents or eating good food. Christmas Day in 2010 will fall on a Saturday.
Christmas Traditions
Modern observances of Christmas are often characterized by a variety of festive traditions. Some of these traditions include:
- Displaying and decorating a Christmas tree
- Construction a nativity scene
- Wrapping and exchanging gifts
- Singing of Christmas carols
- Decorating your house or apartment with outside lights
- Eating candy canes
- Watching holiday movies
- Hanging stockings
- Visiting Santa Claus
- Leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve
- Sending Christmas cards
The Religious Aspect
While the exact date of Jesus' birth remains under debate, modern celebrations of Christmas generally occur on the 25th of December.
While the exact date may be unknown, the story of Jesus' birth is taken from the Gospels of Matthew and LukeNew Advent: Catholic Encylcopedia. According to their accounts, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in a "manger" near Bethlehem. Re-creations of the Nativity scene have become a tradition in many Christmas celebrations.New Advent: Catholic Encylcopedia Early Christian Writings: The Gospel of St Matthew
Linus Explains Christmas
In a Charlie Brown movie, Linus explains what Christmas is all about. Charlie Brown's Christmas special is best selling holiday movie which is featured annually as a television special.
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
Learn how to make fun and easy arts & crafts for Christmas. Keltie Colleen guides you through the steps of making a Christmas wreath. This video is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos available for free at the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Gift Wrap a Christmas Present
Keltie Colleen provides all the support and guidance you will need to learn how to gift wrap a Christmas present. Full step by step instructions are provided by Colleen in this 6:47 video. This is part of a much wider range of craft and Christmas related instructional videos available for free on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make Christmas Tree Ornaments
Learn to make Christmas ornaments in this Mahalo tutorial led by Keltie Colleen. Ms Colleen demonstrates making globe ornaments for the Christmas tree using Styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, stickers, and rhinestones. To secure the stickers on the ornament, use a glue gun. The pipe cleaners form the ornament hanger. This is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play We Wish You A Merry Christmas on Guitar
Guitarist, Thomas Gilbert returns on Mahalo.com to play another Christmas classic on Guitar. This time the focus is how to play we wish you a merry Christmas on Guitar. Thomas guides viewers through all the required chords as well as providing an assortment of tips and advice on how to master playing this song. This video is part of a much wider series of learn how to play Christmas songs on the Guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make a Christmas Bow
Learn how to make fun and easy Christmas arts & crafts. This video will guide you through the steps of making a Christmas bow. This is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make a Christmas Card
Crafter Keltie Colleen presents a tutorial on how to make a Christmas card. She discusses the supplies needed and the simple steps needed to create a homemade card. This crafting guide is part of a larger series of Christmas tutorials offered on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.
Christmas Gifts Under $25
If you are struggling to afford to pay for all your Christmas presents this year then why not shop for some Christmas gifts under $25. This video shows that with careful research and planning you can buy affordable gifts, which look a lot more expensive than they actually cost.
How to Play Frosty The Snowman on Guitar
Frosty the Snowman is a well known Christmas songs and in this Mahalo.com video, Guitarist and Vocalist Jen Trani teachers viewers how to play the song. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
How to Play White Christmas on Guitar
Jen Trani returns for another Mahalo.com video, this time she teaches viewers how to play the Christmas classic, "White Christmas". Watch the video to learn all the Guitar chords and everything you will need to master this song. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
References
Fast Facts
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Date
December 25 (Traditional)
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Purpose
Celebrates the Nativity of Jesus
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Symbol
Use of the modern Christmas tree tradition began in Germany around the 18th century
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Named for
Name originated as a contraction of the Old English words Cristes Maesse (the Mass of Christ)
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Related holiday
The day preceding Christmas is usually known as Christmas Eve
