RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND POPULAR CUSTOMS The Bible provides no guidelines that explain how Christmas should be observed, nor does it even suggest that it should be considered a religious holiday. Because of the lack of biblical instructions, Christmas rituals have been shaped by the religious and popular traditions of each culture that celebrates the holiday. On Christmas Eve, churches around the world hold evening services. At midnight, most Catholic and many Protestant churches hold special candlelight services. The Catholic midnight Mass was first introduced by the Roman Catholic Church in the 5th century. In Greece The Greek Christmas, or Christougenna, pays respect to the Nativity of Christ while also incorporating popular superstitions. On Christmas Eve, Greek children go from house to house knocking on doors and singing Greek songs that tell of the arrival of the Christ child. The family celebration focuses on a Christmas Eve dinner, which, in the Greek Orthodox tradition, follows several weeks of fasting. According to legend, mischievous, often hideous looking elves called Kallikantzaroi wreak havoc in houses for the next 12 days. Burning incense or leaving a peace offering is supposed offer some protection against .
Christmas Traditions Christmas signifies the birth of Christ according to the Bible. Christians first started the Christmas celebration; this was a day dedicated to celebrating the birth of their Savior. The story said that the virgin Mary conceived the Son of God. Mary and her husband Joseph in fear of the child's life fled to Bethlehem. Jesus was said to be born in a stable underneath the brightest star in the sky. Many stories where told of how three wise men and shepherds followed the bright star to witness to birth of Christ. In 1772 Baptist churches did not celebrate the birth of Christ. On December 25, 1772 the Baptist Church of Newport observed Christmas for the first time.
Imagine walking through an average family's Christmas celebration one might see, opening of presents around the Christmas tree, family dinner, engaging in friendly conversation. ... Every Christmas each family member is able to open one gift. ... These gifts are brought just for the purpose of being opened on Christmas Eve. ... I really believe that most of our Christmas Eve is eating. ... And that's Our Christmas Eve....
All people in their lives went through the celebration of the Christmas. And today I want to talk about a poem that was written by Jean Reidy "Christmas". ... As we know there is no real Christmas night with out a "real" Santa Clause. ... About the oppening the Christmas gifts. ... That means Christmas is an actually a holiday for everybody. ...
Christmas in Finland is not just Christmas Eve and the two days that follow. ... The next main day this year is Christmas Eve. ... In Finland the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas Eve. ... Christmas morning is mostly basic to all families. ... "Christmas in Finland."" ...
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved Christmas. ... I adore the smell of fresh pine from the tall, elegantly ornamented Christmas trees and wreaths. ... The sight of bright lights, Christmas trees and wreaths, snowflakes, the colors red and green, and, for some reason, red and green maraschino cherries on fruitcake make Christmas even more enjoyable. I love the sound of church bells, jingle bells, and Christmas Carols. ... Over all, everything about Christmas make love all the merrier. ...
I make my way to the frost covered back door, illuminated near the green and red Christmas lights. As I open the door and step into a house full of cheek pinches and hugs, an array of Christmas odor engulfs me, and makes my mouth water. ... Plates full of Christmas pastries, Christmas decorations, and Christmas music lightly penetrates the air as the family sits in the dining room socializing My cousins are running making their laps around the living room while playing tag and laughing. ... A uncontrollable excitement overcomes my cousins as then they fly ...
Christmas As I slowly awaken from a deep sleep, cool air hits my squinting eyes and I have the feeling that this is not a normal day. ... When I was seven, I would have never imagined that my view of Christmas would change so much. My "everything is for me" aspect disappeared and was replaced by a more realistic view of Christmas. ... Christmas itself has not changed, just my outlook on it. ... This realization takes away from the special feeling of Christmas. ...
It was a book based on "The Christmas Spirit". A Christmas Carol is a celebration of Christmas and the good it inspires. ... The Ghost of Christmas Present is a giant man in robes. ... Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is another character. ... Fred is the joy and sharing of Christmas. ...
Dear Santa Clause, I am terribly disappointed with the way Christmas turned out this year. For some odd reason I awoke on Christmas morning only to find that nothing was under the tree for me. ... The last thing I wanted for Christmas was some money. ... Even though I did not receive any of the items I asked for, I still had a great Christmas. I know that it is more to Christmas than just receiving gifts. ...
A Christmas Memory An Analysis of the Old Woman In the short-story, "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote, there was a young bo and his elderly cousin. ... She also bakes fruitcakes for Christmas and gives them to people who she has only met once. ... During Christmas the boy and the woman makes gifts for each other because they could not afford to buy gifts. ...
