Christmas History and Traditions of Different Cultures
Ever wonder how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world or why Santa Claus gives out presents on the celebration of Christ’s birthday? Here’s some of those answers and more.
First off let’s start with the many and numerous ways to say the same thing.
Santa Claus in different languages:
English — Santa Claus
German — Kris Kringle
French — Pere Noel
Italian — Buon Natale
Spanish — Papa Noel
Dutch — Sinter Claus
Denmark — Julemanden
Santa Claus comes from the popular legend of Saint Nicholas. He was born around 245 AD and traveled extensively, finally settling in Myra as a bishop at the church there. His giving of gifts and helping others is where the present day concept of gift-giving comes from. He performed many miracles associated with helping others and revolving around volunteering and gift-giving. Many churches throughout the Middle East and Europe are named after him. December 6th is the day his feast is celebrated.
Reindeer are a common form of transportation in the winter months in Finland. Santa is rumored to live in the north so it was the idea of Clement C. Moore to have him being totted around by eight reindeer in his tale of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” in 1823. The picture we have of Santa Claus driving his sleigh with eight tiny reindeer comes from the picture drawn by Thomas Nast for the story.
Our modern tradition of a Christmas tree comes from the German tradition of a paradise tree. The tree was a part of the plays being performed to the public to teach the bible to people. During the summer months an apple tree was used in the parts for the Adam and Eve story. In the winter months when the fruit trees were all bare the tree was adorned with evergreen branches to simulate the green trees. These trees were adorned with wafers representing the Holy Eucharist or the bread given for communion.
Later the wafers were replaced with cookies in different shapes and today we have decorations in those same shapes of stars, angels and such. Santa is rumored to have snacked on these early wafers and cookies when he was busy on his rounds and later when it was no longer popular to adorn the trees with edibles, kids were concerned for his welfare and would leave snacks for him in the most convenient place.
The popular legend that explains the stockings hung by the chimney comes from a fable about a nobleman who had fallen on hard times. St. Nicholas twice left sacks of gold for the three daughters of a nobleman who had lost almost everything he owned. His daughters had little chance of becoming married because the father could not afford a dowry. The dowry was a way to entice men to marry women of wealth. The third night that St. Nicholas tried to toss the bag of gold in the window of the nobleman the window was closed. Determined to leave the gold for the third daughter, he climbed the roof and dropped it down the chimney into a sock that was hung by the fireplace to dry.
Saint Nicholas is the Patron saint of Russia, children and of sailors.
The word Christmas comes from Christes Maesse or Christ’s Mass. The day that Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. Romans also celebrated this day, December 25, as the Winter Solstice. A celebration in recognition of the middle of winter or the shortest day of the year. From there on the days got longer and things could only get brighter.
Christmas in Sweden begins on December 13th with Lucia Day. On that day, a girl or young woman is picked to be Lucia, the queen of light and a party is started with her and her attendants giving out pastries and coffee along with singing carols.
In Mexico, a re-creation to honor the mother of Christ is started — the posada or the search for a room at the inn with Mary on the donkey and Joseph trying without success to find room at people’s houses and finally arriving at a church. This procession lasts for the 12 days of Christmas and is followed by a huge party.
In Germany, legend has it on Christmas eve that mountains will open to reveal their gems, tree blossoms will bear fruit, animals will speak and rivers will turn to wine. But only the pure of heart can witness these miracles.
A tradition that is still celebrated in Italy is the ushering of the fifers or “Piferari” down from the mountains of Abruzzo and Latium. This playing of bagpipes fills the air with the anticipated celebrations of Christmas although this traditions is becoming less of a celebration these days.
In Austria, farmers chalk the initials of the three wise men above the door to the stable to protect the herds from sickness. The children are taught that gifts are given by Kristkindl, a golden haired baby with wings who symbolizes the Christ child.
Many Australians spend part of their Christmas on the beach and rumor has it that six white boomers or kangaroo pulls Santa’s sleigh.
The first Christmas card was posted in England back in the 1840s becoming a billion-dollar tradition today. The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day in England or the day that gifts in the form of food or presents in boxes were given to deliverymen or tradespeople who made home deliveries. Today, this tradition continues in giving Christmas gifts like money or cards to postmen, paper deliverers and such.
Mistletoe is a plant believed to have mystical powers. If enemies met under mistletoe, they would throw down their weapons and become friends, thus our custom of kissing under the Mistletoe; it was used first in England for the Christmas season.
Whether you say it as Santa Claus or Kris Kringle, it all means the same thing, a celebration for the giving of gifts and family, friends and good cheer. Christmas is a time for merriment and fun, think about those who have less than you and give to your favorite charity or just to those collecting at a local store. It is a time for giving.
