Yuletide Days of Old - Ancient Customs of Christmas

Christmas, as a holiday period, was instituted and celebrated at about the same time as other winter solstice festivities, because church leaders at the time believed it would make more people participate in the new holiday period. That objective was achieved, but people also carried over some pagan celebrations and traditions into the religious Christmas celebrations.

As an example, people would attend church and then take part in a raucous, drunken, and carnival-like celebration that has some similarities to Mardi Gras. During this celebration every year, there would be a crowning of a beggar or student as the “Lord of Misrule.” Those taking part in the activities would pretend to be loyal subjects to the Lord of Misrule.

During this time some of the poor would also visit the rich in their houses and ask for some of their best food and drink. Those among the rich who didn't cooperate would be subject to rowdy behavior and mischief by the poor. For their part, the rich used Christmas as the time when they would reach out to the poorer members of society by tolerating them in such visits or by leaving out food and clothing for them.

For many centuries before the birth of Christ and the recognition of Christmas, there had been celebrations in many countries during the middle of winter. During the darkest days of winter for example, the early Europeans were said to celebrate light and birth. The winter solstice was a period of rejoicing for many people because it meant that the worst part of winter was over and they could therefore look forward to having days that were longer with more hours of sunlight.

In that tradition, the Norse peoples in Scandinavia would celebrate a period of Yule from December 21, which was the winter solstice or start of winter, through January. To recognize the re-emergence of the sun, fathers and their sons would take large logs home and set them on fire. There would then be a big feast until the log was completely burned out. That could take as many as twelve days to happen.

The custom also was one of hope for the Norse because there was the belief among them that every spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born in the New Year. Many parts of Europe also thought that the end of December was a perfect time to celebrate because, during that time, a lot of cattle would be killed to avoid having to feed them during winter. For many people, the end of December was the only time during the year when they had a significant amount of fresh meat. Also, by that time of year, wine and beer that was made earlier in the year would have fermented and would have finally been ready for drinking.

The tradition of Santa Claus has also been an ancient legend with slight differences, or variations, going back to the 1700s in some countries. In Germany and Switzerland, children who were well behaved would receive a Christmas present from Christkind or Kris Kringle. Christkind, which means “Christ child,” was believed to be an angel-like figure that went along with St. Nicholas on his holiday journeys to deliver gifts.

A jolly elf by the name of Jultomten was believed to deliver presents in Scandinavia, in a sleigh that was pulled by goats. In France, Pere Noel is the one who fills the shoes of French children with Christmas gifts, sweets, or treats at Christmas time.

In Russia, there's a legend that Babushka was an elderly woman who gave incorrect directions to Bethlehem to the three Wise Men so that they wouldn't find Jesus. She later felt sorry for doing so but couldn't find the Wise Men to tell them about the error. Today in Russia, it is believed that on January 5, the day before the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Babushka visits Russian children and leaves presents by their bedsides, in the hope that one of the children will be Baby Jesus and will forgive her.

What Makes Christmas Magical?

Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious get-togethers with family and friends, and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from giving and receiving gifts.

Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas. It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas can be experienced.

The decorations at malls and retail establishments are usually very fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and twinkling lights. It's also a wonder, for both adults and children alike, to look at the numerous tinsels, baubles, and figurines such as fairies and angels that adorn the main Christmas Tree in the center of shopping malls and department stores. These trees are usually extremely well embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes. It is, therefore, a delight for them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.

Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there is also the sound of music playing, bells ringing, and the laughter and wishes of Merry Christmas from shoppers, which also create a special atmosphere and add to the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.

Of course, there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet, tell what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken with. Sometimes Santa Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas present.

The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus, as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look forward to every year during the Christmas season.

There is also the sound of music from choirs or school groups, who often give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown areas. Families, and others who are out and about, will pause to listen, or to sing along with these groups.

Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas, but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family, friends, and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there are usually parties at home and at work, evenings out with friends, and other occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.

Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh Christmas Tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking, and other food preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a real Christmas Tree, instead of an artificial one, for their homes do so because of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas Tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.

Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” The actual roasting of chestnuts during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days, but it is occasionally done in some downtown areas, and in bakeries and confectioneries that make fresh products everyday.

All of these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas create special and unforgettable memories. Who can deny that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical?

Christmas Day

The Christmas season, and all its activities, are geared to the big day, December 25, which is Christmas Day. The word “Christmas” is derived from the Middle English “Christemasse” and the Old English “Cristes maesse,” both of which mean “Christ's Mass.” The day is celebrated by Christians as the day that Jesus Christ was born, although the true date of Jesus' birth isn't really known.

Given the religious significance of Christmas Day, it therefore follows that attending church is a big tradition on that day. It is seen as mandatory for devout Christians and for others who are concerned about retaining the sacred meaning of the day. Many people fear that the sacred aspects of Christmas are being lost and overshadowed amid the bustle of commercial activity now associated with the entire season.

Church services often take place early on Christmas morning. Attending these services is the first official activity that many people do on Christmas Day. Unlike the Midnight Mass and other earlier church services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day services do not usually include the dramatization of the birth of Jesus. They may be more subdued with a sermon that recounts the birth of Jesus and his purpose to save mankind. The congregation is then exalted to be as giving as Jesus and to help out those who are in need.

Consequently, many people will take some time on Christmas Day to volunteer in a charitable activity, such as serving dinner to the poor and hungry at a church, charitable organization, or other social services center. Others will work with charitable organizations to distribute toys to needy children at shelters, hospitals, and other places. As part of the religious aspect of Christmas Day, groups that sing Christmas carols will also be out very early on Christmas morning.

Although Christmas Dinner is the most significant meal of the day, a large breakfast will also be served in most households that will be shared by all family members. The occasion of all family members having a meal together is a disappearing tradition in many American households and so Christmas is seen as a perfect time to return to the tradition. Christmas Day, after all, is all about family, sharing and togetherness.

Throughout the day, greetings of “Merry Christmas” will be exchanged by telephone calls with family, friends, acquaintances, and loved ones who are located elsewhere in the country and overseas. It is a common occurrence for so many people to be trying to make international calls to loved ones and friends on Christmas Day that telephone communication systems to some countries often are overwhelmed. The availability of technology and the Internet eases that problem somewhat nowadays, however, as e-mails and instant messaging can also be used as other communication channels to exchange greetings on Christmas Day.

Christmas Dinner is undoubtedly the central activity of the day. Family and friends gathered for dinner take pleasure in enjoying and sharing a delicious meal, and also are mindful and thankful for the opportunity to be able to share the meal, to have each other, and for the material things that make their lives comfortable and give them happiness.

Some of those material things are then shared in absolute delight as everyone gathers around the Christmas Tree after dinner to exchange and open Christmas presents. It's an activity that is relished and which is filled with much laughter, happy chatter, and merriment, especially by children who are usually very delighted to get a toy that they had wished for.

After dinner and the exchange of presents, adults may have light conversations, play games, or even watch a movie. Children are often taken up with experimenting or playing with their new toys. It has also become a tradition on Christmas Day for members of some families, such as teenagers and young adults, to end Christmas Day by attending the movie theater on Christmas Evening or Christmas Night to see a recently released film.