Christmas around the world

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Christmas Around the World

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Christmas

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Christmas

History

Traditions

Today

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Christmas

Celebrates the birth of Jesus, Savior to Christians

Gifts are exchanged partly because the Bible tells of the wise men (magi) bringing gifts to the Christ-child as they came to worship Him

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Christmas

Nativity scene comes from the Bible, especially in the books of Matthew and Luke

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Christmas

Catholic Church set December 25th as the celebration date to combine with the Roman holiday of the winter solstice (when sun has no apparent North or South movement) in 336 A.D.

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Turkey

Santa Claus comes from a real person in 325 A.D. – Saint Nicholas in Turkey*

Reputation for kindness and generosity

Legends of financial miracles on behalf of the poor and unhappy

* Mostly Christian nation at this time

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Turkey

Santa’s red and white suit came from the traditional Bishop’s robes that Saint Nicholas would have worn

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Turkey

Stockings were originally hung, hoping that Saint Nicholas would bring gold coins (as legend says he did for three poor girls that needed money to get married)

Most were filled with small gifts, especially fruit and nuts

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Germany

Christmas tree is a German tradition, dating to about 700 A.D.

“Yule” log was a large foundational log placed in the fireplace

Name comes from an associated celebratory cry heard about Christmastime because the nights were becoming shorter

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Holland

Dutch name for Nicholas was Sinterklaas, which became Santa Claus

Gifts are exchanged on Christmas day partly because of the Dutch Santa Claus legends

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Scandinavia

Legends from folktales told of a magician that punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents