New Delhi: Christmas is a festival celebrated by billions of people around the world with much pomp and splendour. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and hence, is an important occasion in the Christendom and the Western society. Christmas means spending time with family and friends, exchanging gifts and gorging on delicious foods. In this article, we will take a look at the different traditions associated with Christmas.
Christmas: The many traditions associated with the festival
In several countries, the Christmas customs are a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. The popular traditions of Christmas involves giving gifts, Christmas music and caroling, watching a Nativity play, and exchange of Christmas cards.
People also attend church services on this day and indulge in a special meal. The homes are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, garlands, holly, mistletoe and wreaths. The festival is also associated with legendary figures like Santa Claus and Christkind, who give gifts to the children on the Christmas Eve. Due to the exchange of gifts and several other aspects, Christmas witnesses an increased economic activity. For businesses and retailers, the holiday has become a key period for sales. The economic effect of the festival has steadily increased over the years.
Going to the Church
Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in many countries including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. On this day, people visit the Church and attend the services to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians got to Christmas Day Church service and it plays a key role in the recognition of the Christmas season. Along with Easter, footfall in the Church increases during Christmas.
Decorating homes
Homes are decorated on the occasion of Christmas. Red, green and gold are the traditional colours used for Christmas decorations. While red denotes Jesus’ blood, green stands for eternal life and gold symbolises royalty. The Christmas tree is bought and decorated and many place a star at its top symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. Many people decorate the outside of their homes with lights, illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. One should hang a sprig of mistletoe in the house during Christmas. Other traditional decorations involve candles, bells, stockings, candy canes, angels and wreaths.
Singing Christmas carols
People on this day sing Christmas carols and music along with family and friends. One of the most popular songs on this day is “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” which originated in England in the 1930s. The “Jingle Bells” is another popular song of the Christmas, and so is the “Silent Night”. In the 20th century, many seasonal holiday songs were commercially produced and today, the Christmas carols and songs are played throughout the day.
Feast on Christmas
Christmas, like any other festival, means delicious food. While the cuisines vary from one country to another, the traditional meal includes a turkey, goose or other large bird, potatoes, gravy, bread, vegetables, and cider. Special desserts like mince pies, Christmas pudding, fruit cake and Yule log cake are also prepared. In some countries, Eggnog is prepared with whipped eggs, milk, cream and sugar.
Exchange of gifts
In today’s celebrations of Christmas, exchanging of gifts is an integral part. On this day, people exchange gifts as it is a Christian tradition which is associated with Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus who give gifts predominantly to the children. The exchange of gifts also leads to a boom in the business markets.
Christmas is a globally celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Key customs include attending church services, decorating homes with trees and lights, singing carols, sharing festive meals, and exchanging gifts. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
