The British Academy

‘Father Christmas’ (or ‘Santa Claus’) has become the human face of Christmas.

Pictures will be seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys.

Children are taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas (or in some countries on December 6th – St. Nicholas’ Day), and many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true.

In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by reindeer.

He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

In shops or at children’s parties, someone will dress up as Father Christmas and give small presents to children, or ask them what gifts they want for Christmas. Christmas can be a time of magic and excitement for children.

For families in North America, Germany and other parts of Europe, the Xmas Tree is the symbol of the Christmas season.

They played a symbolic part because they stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare.

They represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.

The use of evergreens was and is most widespread in England and Germany.

At least 500 years ago the religious meaning began to be associated with these plants.

This version of Santa has given the current myth its visual form and some very curious traditions.

A merry old man with red and white clothes, along with eight flying reindeer, which is later joined by Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

The home of Santa Clause is located on or near the North Pole and he is in habit of filling socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24th. Santa Claus is also said to possess the habit of entering houses through the chimney

From the earliest times mistletoe has been one of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore.

It was considered to bestow life and fertility; a protection against poison; and an aphrodisiac.

It was gathered at both mid-summer and winter solstices, and the custom of using mistletoe to decorate houses at Christmas is a survival of the Druid and other pre-Christian traditions.

Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites.

They probably originated from two beliefs.

One belief was that it has power to bestow fertility.

At Christmas time a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed.

Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill.

If the girl remained unkissed, she cannot expect not to marry the following year.

The Tradition Of Gifting is the best way to celebrate the festive season that make every moment memorable.

The day of Christmas comes with the message of peace for the home, the nation and the world as Jesus Christ taught the humanity about giving peace and happiness to others.

The effervescent mood of Christmas gets an added zest with the exchange of gifts, how so ever small or simple it may be.

The tradition of giving gifts in this season owes its origin to the Magi who came from the east of Jerusalem to greet the Jesus in the manger with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

The Magi were wise men and their gifts were emblematic of tribute, worship and death of Christ.

Though Magi are associated more with the Feast of Epiphany on January 6, they can be regarded as the pioneer in gift-giving tradition following the birth of Jesus.

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first ‘Penny Post’ public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century’s communication revolution, just as email is for us today.)

As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860.

They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for one half-penny – half the price of an ordinary letter.

Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures – Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story.

Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.

For centuries scholars and laymen alike have speculated on the nature of the star that led the wise men from the east to seek out the Messiah.

The Christmas star has traditionally been associated with the spirit of the celebration and their is something very special about it.

The significance of the star can be found in the story related to the birth of Jesus Christ.
One wintry night a new star came to visit the other stars.

It was so radiant that its rays shone upon the gray hills and made them light as day.

The shepherds saw it and were frightened at its strange brightness; but an angel came to them and said: “Do not be afraid; the star has come to bring you good, tidings of great joy, and to show you the place where a little babe is born,–a little babe whose name is Jesus, and who will give peace and joy to the whole world.”

When the angels had gone back to Heaven, the shepherds said, “Let us go and see this child.” So they left their flocks sleeping on the hillsides, and took their crooks in their hands and followed the star.

It led them to the little stable in Bethlehem, when the Baby Jesus was cradled in a manger.

Then the star moved on again to a country far away, where some good, wise men lived.

They saw the bright light, and noticed the star moving on and on, as if it were showing them the way to go.

So they, too, followed the star till it rested above the birthplace of Jesus.
The star watched over them, casting a peaceful light over all.

At last the dawn came over the hill tops, and the star went away, far back into the blue heavens, to tell the other stars the story of the Christmas day.

The Christmas star symbolizes high hopes and high ideals – hope for good fortune, hope for reaching above oneself.

Since about 400 AD, Christians have celebrated the birth of Jesus. ‘Christ’ means ‘Messiah’ or ‘Anointed One’ – the title given to Jesus – and ‘Mass’ was a religious festival.

In the West today, the real meaning of Christmas is often forgotten.

It has become a non-religious holiday! More children believe in Father Christmas than in Jesus. Christmas Day is a time for eating and drinking too much and watching television.

But the real Christmas story is found in the Christian Bible. It is told in two different books: Matthew and Luke chapters 1 and 2. If you have no Bible, you can read these chapters online.

You may think that the story of the birth of Jesus, and the way that the West celebrates Christmas today, do not seem to have many connections.

Christians traditionally exchange gifts as a reminder of God’s gift of a savior to humankind.

Gift giving also recalls an ancient Roman custom of exchanging gifts to bring good fortune for the new year.

In most cultures that celebrate Christmas, a mythical figure delivers gifts to children.

Since the 19th century, Santa Claus and other mythical gift givers have become increasingly gentle, generous, and forgiving.