Decorating the Christmas Tree
Evergreen fir trees have been a winter tradition for thousands of years. Many early Christmas trees were actually hung upside down from the ceiling with chains, while others were put into pots and brought inside with hopes of flowering by Christmas. Sometimes trees were even carried around from house to house rather than being displayed inside the home. The first person to bring a Christmas tree into the home, the way we know it today, may have been Martin Luther, the 16th century German preacher. However, there are many stories of the how the Christmas tree came into being.
The first Christmas trees started in Germany and were decorated with edible things, such as gingerbread and gold covered apples. Then glass makers started making special small ornaments similar to some of the decorations we use today. In the beginning, a baby Jesus was put on top of the tree, but that later turned into either an angel that told the shepherds about Jesus or a star like the Wise Men saw. The first Christmas trees to come to Britain were sometime during the 1830s. They became even more popular in 1848 when a drawing of "The Queen's Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle" was published in the London News. The publication of the drawing brought the Christmas tree tradition to the United States.
Hanging Mistletoe
Have you ever kissed someone under the Mistletoe at Christmas? The tradition of hanging it actually dates back to the times of the ancient druids. Supposedly, it possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the household and wards off evil spirits. According to Norse mythology, Mistletoe was used as a sign of love and friendship, and that's where the tradition of kissing under it comes from.
Legend says that Balder, the god of the summer sun, was destined to die. His mother and wife went to every living thing to beg for kindness. However, they failed to notice the Mistletoe and Badur was killed by an arrow made from the wood of a Mistletoe plant. The lesson here was to never forget about the Mistletoe, which is why it is hung in the doorways. We kiss under it to remember what Baldur's wife and mother forgot. The custom comes to us from England, where originally a berry was picked from the sprig of Mistletoe before the person could be kissed. Once all the berries were gone, there would be no more kissing!
Drinking Eggnog
Does drinking a glass of eggnog get you into the Christmas spirit? For some people, eggnog is an important part of their Christmas traditions. The beverage is made of eggs, sugar and cream, which is often flavored with nutmeg and spiked with alcohol. The beverage originated as a wintertime drink for British aristocracy because only the wealthy could afford the ingredients. They added expensive liquors like brandy and sherry to keep the drink from spoiling. Eggnog came to the Unites States colonies in the 18th century, where the drink was changed to include rum because it was easier to get their hands on. The name "eggnog" actually comes from two colonial slang words: grog, the word for rum and noggins, the word for the small wooden mugs that bartenders served it in. The drink became known as egg-n-grog and was later changed to eggnog.
Singing Christmas Carols
The tradition of Christmas carols actually began in Europe thousands of years ago. However, in the beginning, they were pagan songs sung at Winter Solstice celebrations. People danced around stone circles and the word "Carol" originally meant to dance to something, such as a song of praise or joy. Carols used to be written for each season, but the tradition of actually singing them has only survived through Christmas.
Early Christians all over Europe took over the pagan celebration, writing new Christian "Christmas Carols" to replace the pagan songs. Since most of the songs were written in Latin, by the Middle Ages most people has lost interest. St. Francis Assisi changed this in 1223 when he started his Nativity Plays in Italy. The carols were typically sang in the language of the audience, so they would be able to join in. Therefore, these new carols began to spread all across Europe. Before caroling in public became popular, there were sometimes unofficial carolers called "Waits." These were band of people led by local leaders who had the power to take money from the public. (If others did this, they were considered beggars.) Carol services, often by Candlelight also became popular. Both of these traditions are still popular today, all around the world.
Exchanging Christmas Gifts
The tradition of giving and receiving gifts at Christmas began as a reminder of the gifts given to Jesus by the Wise Men, Frankincense, Golf and Myrrh. Christmas itself is a celebration of the largest present ever given to us, Jesus. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." All over the world, families and friends give gifts to each other over the holidays. Another tradition related to gifts, is that of Santa Claus. Many children around the world believe in someone who brings them gifts each year on the night before Christmas. Although Christmas is celebrated a little differently in each country, the tradition of gift giving has a strong presence in each culture.
Sources:
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/mistletoe-the-evolution-of-a-christmas-tradition-10814188/?page=1
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/12/22/christmas-traditions-explained-eggnog/19796657/
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Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
