Why Do We Do These at Christmas?

Do you happen to be familiar with the roots of the present Christmas traditions? Right now, people have become overwhelmed with Christmas gifts as they have been overly commercialized to the point of being forced to spend more than what we are able to afford. If we do what do what the early Christians did, like offering gifts or inviting the poor over Christmas meal, perhaps we can feel the genuine meaning of Christmas.

Giving of presents began when families invited the poor to their houses to share their Christmas meals with them. This guaranteed the one who does good things to receive the value of his deeds many times over the next year.

The Christmas tree symbolizes the victory of Christ's life over death. The lights embellishing the tree represent the light that shone from heaven on Christ's birth.

In America, the lit Christmas candles signify the Star of Bethlehem. Since holly remains green, the Druids supposed that the plant is favored by the sun and represents Jesus Christ. The red berries are for His blood; the leaves His thorny crown, purity for the white flowers and bitter bark for His sorrow.

The old tradition of dangling a mistletoe emanated from Freyja, a Norse goddess. It was a promise to never harm anyone after her son was shot with a mistletoe arrow. Its flowers assure bounty over the next years and are representations of love and peace.

We go from one door to another singing Christmas carols to illustrate the life of Christ. Scandinavians held a celebration in honor of their god Thor, represented by a goat. It played dead and returned to life after all the dancing and singing.

In ancient Greece, Poseidon (god of the sea) was acclaimed to be the provider of all wonderful things because of his capability of causing horrible sea storms or granting sailors with a safe journey. After the rise of Christianity, there was an Asian bishop, Nicholas of Myra, who wore red outfit riding a flying horse, and distributing presents, was referred to as the gift giver and later became St. Nicholas - Santa Claus.

In 1882, the inventor of the light bulb, Thomas Edison, with his associate, Edward Johnson, illuminated their Christmas tree with colored globes with the size of a walnut. In 1890, Edison manufactured electrically generated Christmas lights and made it available for commercial use.

The first-ever Christmas card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole from John Calcott in 1843. It was a tree-paneled card with an inscription inside saying: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." He then printed one thousand copies and sent it to his family and friends.

Are you familiar with the Christmas song "Twelve Days of Christmas"? This was originally written to assist English children in recalling the different articles of faith. 'True Love' signifies God and His gifts for us.

I. PARTRIDGE in a pear tree - Christ
II. TURTLE DOVES - the Old and New Testaments
III. FRENCH HENS - theological virtues (faith, hope and charity)
IV. CALLING BIRDS - four Gospels and/or Evangelists
V. GOLDEN RINGS - the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old Testament
VI. GEESE A-LAYING - the six days of creation
VII. SWANS A-SWIMMING - the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments
VIII. MAIDS A-MILKING - the eight Beatitudes
IX. LADIES DANCING - the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
X. LORDS A-LEAPING - the Ten Commandments
XI. PIPERS PIPING - the eleven faithful Apostles
XII. DRUMMERS DRUMMING - the twelve points of the doctrine in the Apostles' Creed