From Sassy's Place to Yours .... !  
HAPPY HOLIDAYS &

Christmas always seems to be one of the most festive times of the year, from Christmas Caroling, to house decorating, to little children sitting on Santa Claus's lap while their parents busily shop for presents.    Christmas isn't just a time for spending money and opening presents, but also a time for family, friends, love, and cheer.   People come from all different places around the world to be with their loved ones during this festive season, so let's all take some time to explore some of the childhood memories that we all remember so well before we were tied up in worrying about Christmas lists and spending money.    We should remember it for what it really is.....and I hope this will bring back some of those memories and add a little more meaning to your Christmas spirit.    So from me to you........I truly wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season filled with happiness, love, and caring and the very best in the New Year!    May the Joy of Christmas be yours all year round.

Christmas & Traditions

CHRISTMAS, the yearly festival held on December 25, Christian Holiday, celebrates the Nativity or Birth of Christ.

Let us keep Christmas, where its meaning never ends.. the time of year to wish happiness and good will to friends and loved ones, near and far.... the time to share the joys of the past and the hopes of the future, and to remember all we have to be thankful for.  If we can do this for a day, why not forever??  

Christmas festivals have been observed, by Christians since the 4th century, mixing in pagan customs, such as the use of holly, mistletoe, yule logs, and wassail bowls.

Now, for a little bit about the CHRISTMAS TREE an evergreen trimmed with lights and other decorations, comes from the so-called paradise tree, standing for Eden, in German mystery plays.   This is back before Bibles were in existence. 

The British settlers took over the tradition of St. Nicholas and gift-giving as part of their Christmas Eve celebration.   And we all know the English name for the legendary jolly, red-garbed man who delivers presents to all good children at Christmas.

Which brings us into, SANTA CLAUS, the legendary bringer of gifts at Christmas.   He is shown as a fat,  jolly man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit trimmed with white, and driving a sleigh full of toys pulled through the air by eight reindeer (sometimes nine). Santa (also called St. Nicholas or St. Nick) visits on Christmas Eve, entering homes through chimneys to leave presents under the Christmas tree and in stockings of all good children.   But, did you know that Santa lived in early Christian times. He was popular for saving storm-tossed sailors, defending young children, and giving generous gifts to the poor.   As a matter of fact, still to this day, he is considered the patron saint of children.   His legend spread throughout Europe especially his role as a bringer of gifts.

Names for Saint Nicholas: German: Sankt Nikolas, Sanct Herr Nicholas, Holland: Sinter Klaas.  In these countries, he was said to ride through the sky on a horse.  He wears bishop's robes and sometimes was accompanied by Black Peter,  an elf whose job was to punish naughty children.

The feast day of St. Nicholas, when presents were given to children, was first observed on December 6th.   And in some countries around the world, it continues to remain that way.  After the Reformation (a time of religious reform in Europe), German Protestants out of respect for the Christkindl (Christ Child) encouraged gift-giving on his feast day, December 25.  When the St. Nicholas tradition continued on strong, more and more it became attached to Christmas itself.   The feast of St. Nicholas was dropped from the official Roman Catholic calendar in 1969.   The end result being Christmas on December 25.   The term Christkindl changed into Kriss Kringle, another nickname for Santa Claus.

The modern image of Santa Claus plays a part in Christmas celebrations around the world.   Santa is present in advertising, greeting cards, decorations, and even does parades (such as Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day parade which heralds the official arrival of Santa Claus).   Santa is also in movies, for example, Miracle on 34th Street (1947,original) and there are also several remakes of this movie.   Santa is present in songs, such as "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (1932) and "Here comes Santa Claus" (1947). Children from around the world write letters to Santa containing their Christmas wishes.   And we can't forget setting out Santa's favorite snack of milk and cookies on Christmas Eve.    A working man has to eat.  Santa is viewed by people all over the world as the spirit of giving with the important point being his legend is brought about by a saint who symbolizes love, caring, and generosity.

MISTLETOE, a common name for a parasitic (lives off of other trees) plant.   It is evergreen with small, greenish flowers and white berries. Used as a Christmas decoration and giving rise to the custom of kissing under a branch of mistletoe.   Thought to have magical properties in olden times.

YULE LOG, sun worshippers persisted in Europe even after Christianity came into practice.   It gave rise to such traditions as the Christmas Yule Log. To light the way.

CHRISTMAS CAROL, popular religious songs, were popular in late medieval England.   For 200 years, between 1350 and 1550 , composers wrote multi-part carols. The popular merged with folk songs and with broadside songs sold on city streets.    An example would be "I saw Three Ships".   In the 17th century, their words began to center around Christmas.   After a decline, they regained their popularity about 1800, due to reformers promoting devotional hymn singing.    This brought about new carols such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley, a Methodist clergyman.   Also translated carols, such as "Silent Night" (German) and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (Latin).

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©1999 by SassyLD1 - Revised 12/01