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Christmas is said to be a happy time,
But when we see this war and hate and want Is joyous life resistance or a crime? Bells merry and funereal both chime, Past and future are places we might haunt. Christmas is said to be a happy time. To hang the lights, up ladders we will climb. No frozen earth or darkest night will daunt. Is joyous life resistance or a crime? The past recalled may freeze our thoughts with rime Yet living now, we chose the perfect font. Christmas is said to be a happy time. We fill our houses with fresh scents of pine. Baking, we know none will leave looking gaunt. Is joyous life resistance or a crime? A stable scene looked at not as a shrine - Giving hope if believing we are wont. Christmas is said to be a happy time. Is joyous life resistance or a crime?
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Think of Christmas foods and you probably think about cookies and maybe hot cocoa. But what about food that isn’t sugar-laden? What do you eat for Christmas that isn’t desserts?
Looking for Christmas dinner recipes online gives any number of options. Are there traditional Christmas meal foods? In the United States, Christmas traditions come from a variety of cultures. This includes the food! A traditional Christmas dinner inspired by British culture might include a turkey (more traditionally, a goose) and a firm pudding soaked in alcohol. Potatoes and other vegetables serve as side dishes. Also from historic England comes the Christmas ham. In Tudor times, this would have been a boar’s head. I would say there is more meat in a ham than in a head! From Italy comes the Christmas Eve seafood dinner. Depending on where you live, you might not ever have associated seafood with Christmas, but for many families in the United States, the two go together without question. Americans of Polish heritage might associate foods like borscht, mushrooms, fish, and perogies with Christmas. Mexico brings to the Christmas table tamales, roast pork, and a fruit salad. There are many other cultures that influence what North Americans eat for the Christmas season. Still, there are a few common factors. Christmas foods tend to be things that were historically expensive or cheaper alternatives to those expensive foods. A Christmas dinner tended to include one or more types of meat, many vegetables (out-of-season ones if you were rich), and lots of sweets and alcohol. If you’ve never had a Christmas food tradition but want to make one, consider your heritage, then experiment with traditional Christmas recipes from that country. Whatever your food restrictions and preferences are, there’s sure to be at least one recipe that you can make your signature Christmas dish. In the United States, wreaths are common decorations for front doors, but they are especially prominent at Christmastime. In fact, some people put a wreath on every outside door and window. Some even put wreaths inside their houses. Where did this practice come from?
Where did Christmas wreaths come from? Some historians believe that the first Christmas wreaths were made when people trimmed their Christmas tree to the desired shape and size. Instead of throwing out the trimmings, they were woven into circular wreaths that were used as decorations. Wreaths have been used in many cultures throughout history - sometimes as decoration and sometimes as attire. As Christianity spread, the religion used the wreaths to teach or remind practitioners about the principles of their faith. Why do we hang a wreath at Christmas? Christmas began as a religious holiday and wreaths were used as teaching tools. Evergreens represented eternal life. Red berries reminded Christians of Jesus’ blood. The circle symbolized God’s eternal nature. These meanings remain for some Christians today. As Christmas became more secularized, so did the things used at Christmastime. Wreaths are pretty, so they are hung even by people who are not Christians. They also are traditionally associated with Christmas and some people value tradition, regardless of its original meaning. What are the social implications of Christmas wreaths? Human nature is to show off what one has and to show how much more of it we have than another. This comes out in Christmas decorations. A simple wreath on the front door and a tree inside is no longer enough. Now, we decorate as much of the inside and outside of our houses as possible. Wreaths come in different sizes and can be decorated according to one’s theme. The more wreaths a person has or the more elaborate the wreath, the more money or time they’ve put into acquiring and hanging the wreath. Christmas wreaths are festive decorations with a religious history, but they are also markers of one’s wealth (in either time, money, or both). Still, when hung on the outside of a house, wreaths share Christmas cheer with any who chose to accept the offering. Who was Saint Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas was born and lived in what today is called Türkiye. He became a Christian bishop who was known for his generosity to the poor. There are many legends about his generosity and miracles he performed. Keep in mind that as a bishop, St. Nicholas would have been respected as a religious leader. He was more than a giver of physical gifts. Intellect, an ability to teach, and management skills would have been needed to be a successful bishop in the early Christian church. Early art portraying St. Nicholas shows him with a bony face with a large forehead and pointy chin. His expression varies between stern, sad, and vacant. Of course, this is normal for this period in European art, but it also is a far cry from the fat, grinning image of Santa Claus. How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? Throughout the centuries the custom of leaving gifts in shoes or stockings, inspired by legends of St. Nicholas, spread to different countries. The custom changed to fit each culture. The history of Christmas in North America/the American colonies is long and is influenced by many cultures. Eventually, we make it to the 1800s. Washington Irving published an imaginative work that had a St. Nicholas character who drove a flying wagon, smoked a pipe, and put his finger next to his nose. During the 1800 and early 1900s, St. Nicholas morphed more and more into the fat, jolly Santa Clause we know today. An internet search for “santa claus history” gives many perspectives on this evolution. By the 1950s, Santa Claus was a fixture in US Christmas celebrations. 1. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
This is the origin of Christmas, but many families disregard the religious purposes of the holiday. 2. Some Christian traditions observe Christmas on January 7. This has to do with the difference between Julian and Gregorian calendars. 3. Not all Christian traditions celebrate Christmas. There are various reasons for this. The two most cited reasons are that the Bible doesn’t tell us to celebrate Christmas and that they believe Jesus’ birth was probably in the spring, not in December. 4. Christmas started in the second to sixth centuries. When exactly Christmas started depends on how you count. There are records of Christmas-like celebrations from the second century. In the sixth century, a Roman emperor made Christmas a holiday. Remember, this was a time when religion was dictated by the government. 5. Santa Claus as we know him today is a 19th-century invention. The character of Santa Claus is believed to be inspired by the 4th-century Christian bishop St. Nicholas, born in what is modern-day Türkiye. 6. Christmas used to be illegal in parts of 17th-century North America. The Puritans in Massachusetts are most notorious for banning Christmas celebrations. Before you are too horrified, consider that communal drunkenness was often considered an integral part of Christmas and the Puritans were a religious group wanting to avoid excesses. The winter solstice is oft observe
To go unnoticed by those that live it. The sun soon hidden by the planet Should be cause to those concerned To find any reason to be assured Nature isn’t thinking how to can it. Whether sky or screen, we might scan it And through our study become allured. Taught science and less of fantasy, We lose the romance of lives that formed us. Story yields to facts forgotten. Slow movement is hard for us to see. Praised most by those who scorned fuss From movement of an orb we’re not besotten. In the United States, there are some public celebrations of the winter solstice. These may be overtly religious, have customs that remind one of traditions associated with religious observances, or completely secular.
Here are a few examples of winter solstice celebrations you might find in the United States. Soyal is observed by the Hopi and other indigenous peoples in the southwestern United States. Soyal is a religious observance that is not open to outsiders, but there are dances where tourists are welcomed. Museums and other venues may offer events for children and adults. These might include creating art, listening to music, learning how different cultures celebrate the winter solstice, or walking a labyrinth. Curiously, on a night determined by the movement of celestial bodies, stargazing is not a top activity. After some internet searching, I found one astronomical society that offers an event with stargazing on the winter solstice. The winter solstice is not a particularly notable event for many in the United States. Even so, I was surprised by how few scientific events I could find. Then again, the winter solstice is only a few days before Christmas, which many people celebrate, so perhaps organizations don’t want to compete with the many Christmas events. Plus, a lot of people don’t want to go outside in the cold night. Where did Saturnalia come from?
In ancient Rome, a day in late December was dedicated to the god Saturn (or Saturnus). On this day, there were religious rites in a temple, followed by a public feast. In this ancient celebration, social norms were abandoned. Strict social dividers were set aside. Gifts were given. Songs were sung. Mischief was encouraged. Drinking was prominent. One can imagine that much harm was done to others in the name of “mischief.” Saturnalia is not exactly connected to the winter solstice, but it is a holiday that happens about the same time. What is a modern Saturnalia? Some people, especially Pagans, still observe Saturnalia. Observance practices depend on the person. Some people may wear colorful clothes, make a feast to share with family or friends, or drink indulgently. Others may observe Saturnalia with what might appear to be Christmas traditions (the practices for the two holidays are closely linked). Decorating with evergreens, feasting, and giving gifts are part of Saturnalia observances. Others may perform purification rites or have rituals specifically to honor Saturn and related gods and goddesses. Saint Lucia’s Day is a December holiday in Scandinavia. It is on December 13. December 13 was the winter solstice in the Julian calendar in use when the holiday started.
St. Lucia’s Day is very important in Scandinavia. Even for those who are not practicing Christians, the holiday is an important cultural event. Who was St. Lucia? St. Lucia was a young Italian woman who lived in the 3rd century. She was a Christian at a time when it was dangerous to belong to that faith. St. Lucia brought food to the poor and to Christians in hiding. When she went to Christians, she traveled at night. This is where the tradition of her wreath of candles comes from. Why does St. Lucia wear a wreath of candles? St. Lucia put the candles in a wreath on her head so that both hands could be free to carry food when she snuck out at night. Remember, this was before electricity. Candles were the flashlight of St. Lucia’s day. Whether or not the wreath of candles was a reality or the story evolved over the years, what everyone agrees on is that St. Lucia was a Christian who brought food to the poor and hungry. Why was the woman Lucia made a saint? In general terms, Christians call anyone who is a practicing Christian a “saint.” More specifically, some Christian traditions, most notably Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, select specific people known for their piety and, perhaps, miraculous works, to be capital-S Saints. It is uncertain where history ends and legend begins. St. Lucia’s story is that the Roman government tried to execute Lucia when she was a teenager or in her early 20s. At the time, being a Christian was illegal and Lucia would not recant. The penalty was execution. The story is that the Roman soldiers tried multiple ways of executing St. Lucia (or St. Lucy), but nothing worked until a dagger or sword was thrust through her throat. St. Lucia’s commitment to her faith, even in the face of execution, earned her a place among those remembered as Christian martyrs. Eventually, those Christian traditions that have Saints recognized Lucia as a Saint. How is St. Lucia’s Day observed today? As with many national holidays that are of religious origins, St. Lucia’s Day is currently celebrated with a mix of secular and religious practices. In Scandinavia, a procession of girls, and sometimes boys, wearing white robes with red sashes will be led by a girl with a leafy crown and candles on her head. Thankfully, the candles today can be battery-powered. The exact components of the procession will vary depending on the country. There may be boys dressed as elves or gingerbread men. There may be boys carrying stars. There may be a contest or a drawing for who gets to be the girl representing St. Lucia. Whatever the precise traditions of the procession, St. Lucia’s day isn’t complete without food and sweet treats. Saffron buns are traditional. There might be ginger cookies. Other pastries are likely, accompanied by mulled wine and coffee (for the adults) and hot chocolate (for the children). In some families, the oldest daughter dresses in a St. Lucia white robe and serves the family a breakfast of the saffron buns, etc. However St. Lucia’s day is celebrated, candlelight, treats, and singing are integral. 1. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
This doesn’t mean that it’s the earliest sunset, because of the way humans record time compared to how nature moves in time (natural days are a bit more or less than 24 hours). 2. The winter solstice starts astronomical winter. That is, astronomers consider the winter solstice the first day of winter, but meteorologists consider December 1 to be the first day of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere). 3. The Southern Hemisphere has its winter solstice in June. This makes sense when you think about how the earth tilts as it moves around the sun. 4. At noon on the winter solstice, your shadow will be the longest it can be from natural sunlight. I want to know who measured their shadow at precisely noon for an entire year and who replicated the experiment to find out which day has the longest shadows. Or maybe this is something that was concluded from math but never actually tested. 5. The winter solstice changes dates. It is usually on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. 6. A solstice is not an equinox. A solstice is the shortest or longest day of the year. An equinox is when the day and night are (more or less) equal. What is a nativity set,
Why do we spend, And stress, And decorate, All in the name of Peace on Earth? What is a nativity set That we select Because That’s what one does, All in the name of Make it Yours? What is a nativity set, What do we learn, And teach, And bring to mind, All in the name of It’s My Faith? This is a nativity set: A sign of wealth, A tool, A faithful art, All in the name of Jesus Christ What are Polish szopki?
Polish szopki are nativity sets. These sets tend to be more elaborate than the sets typically found in homes in the United States, but in a different way from how Italian presepe are elaborate. How are szopki different from US nativity sets and Italian presepe? Polish szopki are miniature versions of Krakow, or at least, inspired by architecture in the city. This inclusion of city-specific references makes a szopka colorful and distinctly Polish. Potentially different from a presepe, a szopka might also include figures from Polish lore. Szopki are also singular units, where presepi tend to be displays containing several distinct elements that can be rearranged. Unlike a typical US nativity set that focuses on an imagined historical Bethlehem, a szopka combines modern and historical elements, as well as Polish and Hebrew images. Also different from Italian or US nativity sets or scenes, Polish szopki once were stages for puppet shows. How are szopki similar to US nativity sets and Italian presepe? Like an Italian presepe, a szopka might include politicians and other contemporary figures. Like typical US nativity sets (the kind that comes up first with an internet search), szopki include a Bethlehem scene with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger. How big is a szopka? Szopki can be a few inches to several feet tall - I saw six feet mentioned on multiple websites. Szopki are works of art and, except for a few rules, the design is left up to the creator. What are presepi?
Italian presepi are nativity sets. A single set is a “presepe.” Are presepi a small, local tradition? Presepi are famous around the world. Some travelers go to Italy during December just to see these popular displays of Christ’s birth. Are all presepi religious? Presepi are religious works of art in the sense that they represent the Biblical story of Jesus Christ’s birth. On the other hand, the displays may incorporate non-religious themes. These elaborate nativity displays may be traditional, recreating the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. They may have lots of attention given to representing a 1st-century Hebrew town. The displays may also be inventive, integrating modern characters or atypical settings. An Italian presepe is often quite elaborate. An internet search for “presepe photos” gives results that show large table-top displays, arrangements that cover multiple hills, and even one underwater. Compared to most home nativity sets found in the United States, presepi are lavish constructions used to celebrate Christmas. This post is about non-animate nativity sets (crèches), not live nativity events.
The first carved nativity set is credited to Arnolfo di Cambio, who lived in the late 1200s. It was carved from marble and includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an ox, a donkey, and three magi/kings. Carved or cast representations of Christ’s birth were popular among Christians and an overall history of the use of nativity sets is hard to find on the free internet. It appears that private, or at-home, nativity sets gained momentum in Italy and from there, spread to other countries. Italy is still famous for its presepi (nativity sets). 1. 1223 is thought to be the date of the first recorded live nativity scene.
St. Francis of Assisi is credited with having a type of living nativity scene while he preached about Jesus’ birth. 2. A nativity set or living nativity is also called a crèche. Crèche is pronounced /kresh/. 3. A nativity scene can be used for teaching and meditation. Some Christians use a nativity set as more than a traditional reminder of the religious reasons for celebrating Christmas. The nativity set can be used as a teaching tool or a focal point during contemplation of Jesus’ birth and life. 4. Details in a nativity set may have symbolic meanings. For some Christians, the color of a piece of clothing, the position of the hands, the age and appearance of the kings, and many other elements of a nativity scene have specific meanings. 5. The first carved nativity scene is credited to Arnolfo di Cambio. This scene was carved from marble. It included Mary, baby Jesus, Joseph, an ox, a donkey, and three magi/kings. 6. Christian traditions from Russia might use a portable puppet theater for a nativity scene. The puppet cast traditionally included Mary, Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, three magi, Herod, Rachel, a soldier, satan, Death, and a sexton. There was also a baby Jesus and, maybe, sheep. Prepare.
Christ is coming. Jesus was born; Christ came. Jesus is with us; Christ will come. We wait. An advent calendar is a way to count down from December 1 to December 24 or 25. This is a different time period than the Christian religious season of Advent which starts four Sundays before Christmas (potentially in November) and goes through December 24.
This difference in dates indicates that Advent calendars are not part of the traditional Christian observance of the Advent season. It appears that the Advent calendar began in Germany in the mid-1800s. Commercial calendars with pictures or Bible verses behind the doors were popular in the early-mid 1900s. In the mid-late 1900s, small chocolate was put behind the doors. Today, a Google search for “advent calendar” reveals options with everything from tea to cosmetics to beer to dinosaurs. The focus on gifts and away from the Biblical story indicates that advent calendars are often used for secular purposes. At the end of the day, a calendar, even one with a surprise behind the door, is just a way of marking the passing of time. Whether or not an advent calendar is part of a religious observance depends on how a person uses it. An Advent wreath is symbolic of many spiritual principles.
Because so many different Christian traditions practice Advent, the symbolism will vary. Possible meanings for the Advent wreath include:
If the Advent wreath has a white candle, this is the Christ candle and represents Jesus Christ. The Advent wreath is a symbol of life and light. Christians believe that Jesus brings life to humans and that Jesus is the light of the world. The Advent wreath is also a way to mark time. One candle is lit for each of the four Sundays of Advent. (One candle on the first Sunday, two on the second Sunday, etc.) Each week, the light gets brighter as more candles are lit. This increasing brightness is a reminder that Christ’s coming is getting closer. Advent as practiced by many Christians is a time of preparation for Jesus Christ’s coming. Some Christians remember and prepare for three comings of Jesus.
Advent is a time of waiting, longing, and hope. Advent is a time of increased prayer and reflection. Some Christians recite prayers that they only say during the Advent season. Some Christians might practice a form of fasting during Advent, but the season is no longer considered penitential the way Lent is. In short, the purpose of Advent is to prepare oneself for the coming of Jesus Christ. This post is about the Christian liturgical season of Advent.
1. Not all Christians celebrate Advent. Advent is often associated with the Roman Catholic tradition. Some Protestant traditions, such as Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, some Baptists, and some Mennonites also observe Advent. Other Protestant traditions, especially non-denominational and charismatic traditions, do not observe Advent, although individuals within these traditions may privately follow the traditional liturgical calendar. 2. Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas. This means that Advent starts on a different date each year. You have to know when Christmas is, then count backwards four Sundays to find out when Advent starts. Or, you can Google it. 3. Advent is a season of expectation and preparation. Expectation doesn’t necessarily mean celebration. For many Christians, the season of Advent is a time of hope mixed with longing. 4. Advent started between the fourth and sixth centuries. Because the practice is so old, it’s hard to know an exact date. Advent seems to have started sometime in the 300s and become common practice in the 500s. 5. Advent is not an early start to Christmas. Advent is a religious practice that leads up to Christmas. For those who observe Advent, Christmas starts on December 25. 6. Advent calendars don’t match up with the religious practice of Advent. This is because advent calendars go from December 1 to December 24 or 25. Advent goes from four Sundays before Christmas, which may start in November, to December 24. This post is about the Christian liturgical calendar.
Do all Christians follow the liturgical calendar? No. There are many Christian traditions that do not follow a liturgical calendar. These tend to be non-denominational and charismatic traditions, but other Christians, such as some Baptists, also do not use the church-year calendar. Which Christian traditions have a liturgical calendar? Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Baptists follow the traditional liturgical calendar. There are also individual Christians in the U.S. that observe parts or all of the church-year calendar at home, even if the church they attend does not. |
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Jill Hames is a writer, musician, biblical studies teacher, and ESL tutor who finds life too interesting to pick a niche. She has a B.A. in Music and Spanish, a Masters in Library and Information Science, is TEFL.org 168-hour certified to teach English as a second language, and is working towards a Master of Divinity. Jill is a member of Delta Omicron and the International Women's Writing Guild.
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Copyright 2025
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Copyright 2025