II Christmas
II
Christmas is a
time for Families, Fun, and Festivities! A time of family
gatherings and holiday meals. Christmas originates from the word
Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." The first Christmas is
estimated to be around 336 AD in Rome. It was celebrated to
commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is
traditionally celebrated on December 25. It is preceded by
Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day.
Birth of Jesus
Christ :
According to the
legends, the birth of Jesus dates back to the time of the Roman
Empire that was ruled by Caesar Augustus. Israel was then under
the rule of King Herod. Joseph was a carpenter in the small
village of Nazareth. He was to be married to Mary. Mary once
dreamt of an angel who told her she would bear the Son of God
whom should be named Jesus. One day everyone was instructed by
the emperor to go back to his or her town of birth. So Mary and
Joseph left Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary was going to have a
baby, so she rode a donkey and Joseph walked beside her. It was
night soon and a storm came on. The couple took shelter in a
nearby stable. It was there that Jesus was born. Christmas is
celebrated to commemorate that day.
Christmas Tree :
The exact origin of the Christmas tree is not known, but there
are many theories floating around. The most widely believed one
is that Martin Luther, the founder of protestant faith
conceptualized the Christmas tree. He was walking in the forest
on Christmas Eve. As he walked through the forest he saw
millions of stars shimmering through the branches of the
evergreen trees. He found the view so fascinating that he cut a
small tree and took it home. To recreate the same beauty, he lit
candles on the branches of the tree. Thus began the tradition of
a Christmas tree.
Another legend claims that a poor woodsman met a lost and hungry
child. He gave food and shelter to the child although he was too
poor himself. When he woke up next morning he saw a glittering
tree outside his house. The child whom he had invited into his
home was Christ disguised as a poor child. He gifted the tree to
the woodsman for his good deed and the concept of Christmas tree
came into existence.
Christmas
celebrations : Christmas is celebrated in most countries
around the world, owing to the spread of Christianity and
Western culture, mixed with the enduring popularity of existing
winter celebrations.
Christmas
Celebrations in India :
Christmas
celebrations vary in different parts of India. In some parts,
small clay oil-burning lamps, mango leaves etc are used as
Christmas decorations and mango and banana trees are decorated.
All the major Indian cities wear a festive look. Shops and
markets are decorated for the occasion and offer attractive
bargains.
Peoplre give presents to family members and baksheesh, or
charity, to the poor people.
In India, the poinsettia is in flower and so the churches are
decorated with this brilliant bloom for the Christmas Midnight
Mass.
In South India, Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops
and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do
during their festival called Diwali.
More about Christmas :
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