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Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World


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ChristmasChristmas


ChristmasChristmas

HistoryHistory

TraditionsTraditions

TodayToday


ChristmasChristmas

Celebrates the birth of Jesus, Savior Celebrates the birth of Jesus, Savior to Christiansto Christians

Gifts are exchanged partly because Gifts are exchanged partly because the Bible tells of the wise men (magi) the Bible tells of the wise men (magi) bringing gifts to the Christ-child as bringing gifts to the Christ-child as they came to worship Himthey came to worship Him


ChristmasChristmas

Nativity scene comes from the Bible, Nativity scene comes from the Bible, especially in the books of Matthew especially in the books of Matthew and Lukeand Luke


ChristmasChristmas

Catholic Church set December 25Catholic Church set December 25thth as as the celebration date to combine with the celebration date to combine with the Roman holiday of the winter the Roman holiday of the winter solstice (when sun has no apparent solstice (when sun has no apparent North or South movement) in 336 North or South movement) in 336 A.D.A.D.


TurkeyTurkey

Santa Claus comes from a real Santa Claus comes from a real person in 325 A.D. – Saint Nicholas in person in 325 A.D. – Saint Nicholas in Turkey*Turkey*Reputation for kindness and generosityReputation for kindness and generosityLegends of financial miracles on behalf Legends of financial miracles on behalf

of the poor and unhappyof the poor and unhappy

* Mostly Christian nation at this time* Mostly Christian nation at this time


TurkeyTurkey

Santa’s red and white suit came from Santa’s red and white suit came from the traditional Bishop’s robes that the traditional Bishop’s robes that Saint Nicholas would have wornSaint Nicholas would have worn


TurkeyTurkey

Stockings were originally hung, Stockings were originally hung, hoping that Saint Nicholas would hoping that Saint Nicholas would bring gold coins (as legend says he bring gold coins (as legend says he did for three poor girls that needed did for three poor girls that needed money to get married)money to get married)

Most were filled with small gifts, Most were filled with small gifts, especially fruit and nutsespecially fruit and nuts


GermanyGermany

Christmas tree is a German tradition, Christmas tree is a German tradition, dating to about 700 A.D.dating to about 700 A.D.

““Yule” log was a large foundational Yule” log was a large foundational log placed in the fireplacelog placed in the fireplace

Name comes from an associated celebratory Name comes from an associated celebratory cry heard about Christmastime because the cry heard about Christmastime because the nights were becoming shorternights were becoming shorter


HollandHolland

Dutch name for Nicholas was Dutch name for Nicholas was Sinterklaas, which became Santa Sinterklaas, which became Santa ClausClaus

Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Gifts are exchanged on Christmas day partly because of the Dutch day partly because of the Dutch Santa Claus legendsSanta Claus legends


ScandinaviaScandinavia

Legends from folktales told of a Legends from folktales told of a magician that punished naughty magician that punished naughty children and rewarded good children children and rewarded good children with presentswith presents


ScandinaviaScandinavia

Mistletoe was used as a Christmas Mistletoe was used as a Christmas decoration for years, but was decoration for years, but was associated with pagan ritualsassociated with pagan ritualsA goddess of love – probably where A goddess of love – probably where

kissing under the mistletoe comes fromkissing under the mistletoe comes fromHolly replaced it, where the thorns Holly replaced it, where the thorns

remind of Christ’s crown on the cross remind of Christ’s crown on the cross and the red berries of His shed bloodand the red berries of His shed blood


ItalyItaly

Naughty children in Italy were the Naughty children in Italy were the first to get a lump of coal in the first to get a lump of coal in the stockingstocking


EnglandEngland

Songs or “carols” [songs] were sung Songs or “carols” [songs] were sung by small choirs for the pleasure of by small choirs for the pleasure of those that happened to walk bythose that happened to walk by

Christmas cards started in London in Christmas cards started in London in 18431843


FranceFrance

Singing “carols” [songs] Singing “carols” [songs] accompanied by a group danceaccompanied by a group dance

Noel in French is translated Noel in French is translated ChristmasChristmas


GreeceGreece

Christmas is abbreviated Xmas Christmas is abbreviated Xmas because the word for Christ in Greek because the word for Christ in Greek is Xristosis Xristos


IsraelIsrael

Christmas eve is celebrated because Christmas eve is celebrated because the Jewish tradition is that the new the Jewish tradition is that the new day starts at sundown [therefore day starts at sundown [therefore Christmas eve is actually the start of Christmas eve is actually the start of Christmas day]Christmas day]

Some Jews (by heritage) are also Some Jews (by heritage) are also Christians (by faith)Christians (by faith)


MexicoMexico

NochebuenaNochebuena, the Mexican name of the , the Mexican name of the flower English-speakers call poinsettia, was flower English-speakers call poinsettia, was discovered in Taxco and the valleys discovered in Taxco and the valleys surrounding Cuernavaca. Known by the surrounding Cuernavaca. Known by the Aztecs in their native Nahuatl language as Aztecs in their native Nahuatl language as cuetlaxochitl, it is believed that they cuetlaxochitl, it is believed that they brought the plant from the tropical climate brought the plant from the tropical climate of Cuernavaca to their Aztec highlands for of Cuernavaca to their Aztec highlands for cultivation in special nurseries. Prized in the cultivation in special nurseries. Prized in the prehispanic era for the curative properties prehispanic era for the curative properties of the milk that dripped from the leaves, of the milk that dripped from the leaves, stems and flowers when cut, the pigment stems and flowers when cut, the pigment from the red leaves was also used to dye from the red leaves was also used to dye cotton fibers. cotton fibers.


Epcot Center in FloridaEpcot Center in Florida

Each country pavilion has a section Each country pavilion has a section dedicated to the history and dedicated to the history and traditions of Christmas (during the traditions of Christmas (during the Christmas season)Christmas season)


Christmas in AmericaChristmas in America

Pilgrims did not celebrate ChristmasPilgrims did not celebrate Christmas Immigrants brought their Christmas Immigrants brought their Christmas

traditions, especially in the 1700s traditions, especially in the 1700s and early 1800sand early 1800s

Christmas as a national celebration Christmas as a national celebration gathered momentum during the mid-gathered momentum during the mid-1800s1800s


ChristmasChristmas

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, J.R. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, J.R. Poinsett, imported (what became) Poinsett, imported (what became) the poinsettia for Christmas in 1828the poinsettia for Christmas in 1828



Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, etc. came Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, etc. came from 2 published works in 1822 and from 2 published works in 1822 and 1863-18861863-18861822 – “The Night Before Christmas”1822 – “The Night Before Christmas”1863-1886 – magazine published 1863-1886 – magazine published

pictures of Santa’s workshop, Santa pictures of Santa’s workshop, Santa reading letters, Santa checking his list, reading letters, Santa checking his list, etc.etc.



Started to become popular in 1860s, Started to become popular in 1860s, and by 1874 Macy’s in New York and by 1874 Macy’s in New York developed Christmas theme window developed Christmas theme window displaysdisplays

Tree decorations became common in Tree decorations became common in 1880 when Woolworth’s began to sell 1880 when Woolworth’s began to sell manufactured ornamentsmanufactured ornaments


ChristmasChristmas

Outdoor White House tree tradition Outdoor White House tree tradition started in 1923 with President started in 1923 with President CoolidgeCoolidge



Two most popular secular songs at Two most popular secular songs at Christmas are:Christmas are:Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (1942)Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (1942)Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red-nosed Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red-nosed

Reindeer” (1949)Reindeer” (1949)Based upon the Montgomery Wards booklet Based upon the Montgomery Wards booklet

of the same named given away free in 1939 of the same named given away free in 1939 – written by a father attempting to cheer up – written by a father attempting to cheer up a sad daughter grieving over a dieing a sad daughter grieving over a dieing mothermother


ChristmasChristmas

There’s something There’s something to celebrate for to celebrate for everybody:everybody: Great traditions Great traditions

incorporating incorporating aspects from many aspects from many countriescountries

Significant religious Significant religious eventsevents

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