Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a time of celebration.

Throughout our lives we have many wonderful Christmas traditions, the one thing we do not outgrow is the celebration, excitement of children, crackling fire and christmas trees each year. The magic of christmas is really placed around the branches of the beautiful christmas trees around the world. Hopefully this collection of Christmas traditions with the meanings behind why we have certain superstitions and traditions at Christmas will hopefully give some inspiration to make your Christmas - making it even more special. It is lucky to be the first to wish people a Merry Christmas in December. Therefore, Merry Christmas! we hope you enjoy reading and using the following traditions on your Christmas day.

There are many traditions over the festive period, outlined below we have a number of topics on the Christmas season - not covered by the Christmas day or Christmas eve superstitions articles. Christmas traditions fall into a number of areas, within this article we will cover what to cook for christmas eve meals and why do we eat turkey on Christmas day? What is Christmas? And many many more. Check out other articles on Christmas to understand the background to this ancient tradition.

What does Christmas mean? What is the origin of Christmas?

So what does Christmas really mean? We have come to December again and with it the celebrations of Christmas begin. Obviously, we need to find out where did the origin of the word Christmas come from. Why is this important? To understand the literal meaning of Christmas we must first look at the word. Christmas means “Christ’s Mass” this is a festival where we celebrate the birth of Jesus.The exact date in which Jesus was born has never really been understood and never will. This festival is in preparation for the December season which is the season of Advent which means “coming.” In all parts of the world Christmas day is a public holiday. It is normally celebrated with Christian people and involves what we know - gift giving, a Christmas tree in the home, stockings and father Christmas.

Why is Christmas day on the 25th of December?

The answer to this question is that we have not always celebrated Christmas day on this date. During the early years of Christianity no actual date was set for Christmas day. A range of dates were celebrated for Christmas over the years. Many believed that Jesus was born near spring (21st of March, 15th of April and the 20th of May) So why the 25th and why December? In West Rome they always celebrated the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December, while East Rome the date was the 6th of January. So the question is - why settle on the 25th of December? The first reason was because the Church believed as their was already a Jewish feast day on the 25th of December it would be a great time to also have Christmas day fall on the same day! Secondly, as December is the darkest, coldest month it would bring excitement to people. Something to look forward to! There was also a Jewish festival on the 25th of March so as they wanted Christmas to remain in December they kept the date but switched the month. Just to recap before - no-one knows the correct birth date of Jesus. It is unlikely we will ever find out either.

Why do we have a Christmas Advent Calendar and where does it come from?

The advent calendar has long been a tradition, especially children opening little windows that contain chocolate to the countdown for Christmas. But why do we do this? The word “advent” in latin means “coming” this is the period of four consecutive weeks before Christmas day. In some traditions advent meant that people would starve until Christmas day. The Sunday in late November was often used to prepare the food such as Christmas cake or puddings. It was known as “Stir up Sunday” due to the cooking that takes place on this day. The advent calendar as we see it today is a German tradition. Originating from Lutheran communities and had a knock on effect to other churches around the world. The advent calander tradition starts on the fourth Sunday before the christmas period and finished on Christmas day. Each day will have a specific door or compartment to open - twenty four in total. There is a number of meanings of the advent calendar in churches.

How do I build a Christmas advent wreath?

This was generally a tradition and incorporates a candle in the middle of the wreath, one of three colours including: dark purple candle, one light candle such as pink that represents Jesus and one white candle to signify god. The white candle also illustrates joy in the world - because it is suppose to be a holy gift. Traditionally, people use to decorate the wreath with fire retardant straw to signify where Jesus lay when he was born.

The first Christmas tree:

The first christmas tree has never been recorded. The evergreen tree is traditionally bought into the house but there is no record of exactly when this custom started. It is suspected to have been many thousands of years ago. There has been a link to the Winter Solstice and pagan’s use to bring in tree branches for decoration to celebrate the new year. The Christmas tree become popular because Prince Albert and Queen Victoria bought one into the palace. They were the first to bring a Christmas tree into the palace in England in 1840.

The 12 days of Christmas Meanings:

The 12 days of Christmas are from a famous carol this was written in 1559. This carol has resulted in the tradition to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas across the world. The first day is the 25th of December, obviously celebrating Christmas day. From this day onwards twelve days are counted up to the 5th of January. Traditionally, all Christmas decorations should be removed on this day. On the 2nd day of Christmas this is known as Boxing day, which is the day for Saint Stephen. The Christmas carol Good king wenceslas was often sung on this day. Thought history these 12 days of christmas were set aside for traditional celebrations. The 6th of January is when the three kings / wise men who visited Jesus left.

Lyrics of 12 days of Christmas Song

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree. On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me. Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five golden rings, Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six geese a laying, Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves. And a Partridge in a pear tree. On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans a swimming, Six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, Two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight maids a milking, Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds,

Three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten lords a leaping, Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves And a Partridge in a pear tree. On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a leaping nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, Six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, Two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree. On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree.