Christmas - Revision history

Bacchus: Text replacement - "tbe " to "the "

2024-04-28T23:47:10Z

Text replacement - "tbe " to "the "

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 28 April 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.png\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and ~~tbe~~ Christ child.]]		[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.png\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and the Christ child.]]
	[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).png\|right\|300px]]		[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).png\|right\|300px]]
	'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating ~~tbe~~ birth of [[Jesus Christ]], ~~tbe~~ son of God.		'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], the son of God.

	The date is arguably not ~~tbe~~ actual birth date of Jesus (there is some debate on this point) and ~~tbe~~ ancient Church may have initially chosen it to correspond with either ~~tbe~~ day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, or ~~tbe~~ date of ~~tbe~~ winter solstice ({{lang-de\|Wintersonnenwende}}).<ref>In ~~tbe~~ Northern hemisphere, ~~tbe~~ shortest day and longest night of ~~tbe~~ year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called ~~tbe~~ winter solstice. Many ancient people, especially [[Germanics]] and [[Japan]], believed that ~~tbe~~ sun was a God and that winter came every year because ~~tbe~~ Sun God had become sick and weak. The Europeans celebrated ~~tbe~~ solstice because it meant that at last ~~tbe~~ Sun God would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all ~~tbe~~ green plants that would grow again when ~~tbe~~ Sun God was strong and summer would return.</ref>		The date is arguably not the actual birth date of Jesus (there is some debate on this point) and the ancient Church may have initially chosen it to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, or the date of the winter solstice ({{lang-de\|Wintersonnenwende}}).<ref>In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Many ancient people, especially [[Germanics]] and [[Japan]], believed that the sun was a God and that winter came every year because the Sun God had become sick and weak. The Europeans celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the Sun God would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the Sun God was strong and summer would return.</ref>

	==History==		==History==
Line 10:		Line 10:
	[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.png\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]		[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.png\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]

	The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially ~~tbe~~ celebration of ~~tbe~~ coming and birth of [[Christ]] by ~~tbe~~ Virgin Mary following ~~tbe~~ Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.		The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially the celebration of the coming and birth of [[Christ]] by the Virgin Mary following the Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.

	: "''Since ~~tbe~~ early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays ~~tbe~~ pivotal role.''"<ref>Christmas https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas</ref>		: "''Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role.''"<ref>Christmas https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas</ref>

	===Yule===		===Yule===
	{{main\|Yule}}		{{main\|Yule}}
	An earlier term was [[Yule]], which may originally have referred to a pre-Christian festival around ~~tbe~~ winter solstice.		An earlier term was [[Yule]], which may originally have referred to a pre-Christian festival around the winter solstice.

	Yule was an important 12-day festival of ~~tbe~~ [[Germanic peoples]], which underwent [[Christian]]ised reformulation, resulting in ~~tbe~~ term 'Christmastide'. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as ~~tbe~~ Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others may have connections to ancient pagan Yule traditions.		Yule was an important 12-day festival of the [[Germanic peoples]], which underwent [[Christian]]ised reformulation, resulting in the term 'Christmastide'. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others may have connections to ancient pagan Yule traditions.

	''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among ~~tbe~~ pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during ~~tbe~~ Yule period.		''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among the pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during the Yule period.

	===jews===		===jews===
Line 27:		Line 27:
	===Christmas Trees ===		===Christmas Trees ===
	{{main\|Christmas tree}}		{{main\|Christmas tree}}
	: ''[[Germany]] is credited with starting ~~tbe~~ Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in ~~tbe~~ 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that [[Martin Luther]], ~~tbe~~ 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by ~~tbe~~ brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture ~~tbe~~ scene for his family, he erected a tree in ~~tbe~~ main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in ~~tbe~~ 1830s by ~~tbe~~ German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The [[Pennsylvania]] German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as ~~tbe~~ 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, ~~tbe~~ tree was adopted so late in America. To ~~tbe~~ New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of ~~tbe~~ observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, ~~tbe~~ General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until ~~tbe~~ 19th century, when ~~tbe~~ influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined ~~tbe~~ Puritan legacy. In 1846, ~~tbe~~ popular royals, [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Albert, Prince Consort\|German Prince, Albert]], were sketched in ~~tbe~~ Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike ~~tbe~~ previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By ~~tbe~~ 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on ~~tbe~~ rise around ~~tbe~~ U.S. It was noted that [[Europeans]] used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while ~~tbe~~ [[German-American]] sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across ~~tbe~~ country and having a Christmas tree in ~~tbe~~ home became an American tradition.''<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees History of Christmas Trees], history.com, 2009</ref>		: ''[[Germany]] is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that [[Martin Luther]], the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The [[Pennsylvania]] German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy. In 1846, the popular royals, [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Albert, Prince Consort\|German Prince, Albert]], were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that [[Europeans]] used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the [[German-American]] sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.''<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees History of Christmas Trees], history.com, 2009</ref>

	===Santa Claus===		===Santa Claus===
	The role model for Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas, ~~tbe~~ patron saint of children, whose legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to ~~tbe~~ traditional model of Santa Claus as he is known today. It is also said ~~tbe~~ [[Germanic]] or [[pagan]] “{{lang-de\|[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Der_Sunnwendmann_(Gedicht) Sunnwendmann]}}” (Solstice man) may have been ~~tbe~~ model.		The role model for Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, whose legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus as he is known today. It is also said the [[Germanic]] or [[pagan]] “{{lang-de\|[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Der_Sunnwendmann_(Gedicht) Sunnwendmann]}}” (Solstice man) may have been the model.

	When [[German American]] [[American Civil War\|Civil War]] cartoonist [[Thomas Nast]] (1840–1902) drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported ~~tbe~~ Union.		When [[German American]] [[American Civil War\|Civil War]] cartoonist [[Thomas Nast]] (1840–1902) drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union.

	: ''Coca-Cola did not create ~~tbe~~ legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping ~~tbe~~ jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around ~~tbe~~ world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas ~~tbe~~ Night Before Christmas.”''<ref>[https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/did-coca-cola-invent-santa Did Coca-Cola create Santa Claus?]</ref>		: ''Coca-Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping the jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around the world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”''<ref>[https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/did-coca-cola-invent-santa Did Coca-Cola create Santa Claus?]</ref>

	Because gift-giving and many other aspects of ~~tbe~~ Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, ~~tbe~~ holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses sometimes called ~~tbe~~ Festival of Turnover. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over ~~tbe~~ past few centuries in many regions of ~~tbe~~ world.		Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses sometimes called the Festival of Turnover. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Bacchus: Text replacement - " the " to " tbe "

2024-04-26T17:24:28Z

Text replacement - " the " to " tbe "

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:24, 26 April 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.png\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and ~~the~~ Christ child.]]		[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.png\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and tbe Christ child.]]
	[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).png\|right\|300px]]		[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).png\|right\|300px]]
	'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating ~~the~~ birth of [[Jesus Christ]], ~~the~~ son of God.		'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating tbe birth of [[Jesus Christ]], tbe son of God.

	The date is arguably not ~~the~~ actual birth date of Jesus (there is some debate on this point) and ~~the~~ ancient Church may have initially chosen it to correspond with either ~~the~~ day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, or ~~the~~ date of ~~the~~ winter solstice ({{lang-de\|Wintersonnenwende}}).<ref>In ~~the~~ Northern hemisphere, ~~the~~ shortest day and longest night of ~~the~~ year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called ~~the~~ winter solstice. Many ancient people, especially [[Germanics]] and [[Japan]], believed that ~~the~~ sun was a God and that winter came every year because ~~the~~ Sun God had become sick and weak. The Europeans celebrated ~~the~~ solstice because it meant that at last ~~the~~ Sun God would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all ~~the~~ green plants that would grow again when ~~the~~ Sun God was strong and summer would return.</ref>		The date is arguably not tbe actual birth date of Jesus (there is some debate on this point) and tbe ancient Church may have initially chosen it to correspond with either tbe day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, or tbe date of tbe winter solstice ({{lang-de\|Wintersonnenwende}}).<ref>In tbe Northern hemisphere, tbe shortest day and longest night of tbe year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called tbe winter solstice. Many ancient people, especially [[Germanics]] and [[Japan]], believed that tbe sun was a God and that winter came every year because tbe Sun God had become sick and weak. The Europeans celebrated tbe solstice because it meant that at last tbe Sun God would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all tbe green plants that would grow again when tbe Sun God was strong and summer would return.</ref>

	==History==		==History==
Line 10:		Line 10:
	[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.png\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]		[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.png\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]

	The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially ~~the~~ celebration of ~~the~~ coming and birth of [[Christ]] by ~~the~~ Virgin Mary following ~~the~~ Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.		The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially tbe celebration of tbe coming and birth of [[Christ]] by tbe Virgin Mary following tbe Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.

	: "''Since ~~the~~ early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays ~~the~~ pivotal role.''"<ref>Christmas https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas</ref>		: "''Since tbe early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays tbe pivotal role.''"<ref>Christmas https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas</ref>

	===Yule===		===Yule===
	{{main\|Yule}}		{{main\|Yule}}
	An earlier term was [[Yule]], which may originally have referred to a pre-Christian festival around ~~the~~ winter solstice.		An earlier term was [[Yule]], which may originally have referred to a pre-Christian festival around tbe winter solstice.

	Yule was an important 12-day festival of ~~the~~ [[Germanic peoples]], which underwent [[Christian]]ised reformulation, resulting in ~~the~~ term 'Christmastide'. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as ~~the~~ Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others may have connections to ancient pagan Yule traditions.		Yule was an important 12-day festival of tbe [[Germanic peoples]], which underwent [[Christian]]ised reformulation, resulting in tbe term 'Christmastide'. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as tbe Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others may have connections to ancient pagan Yule traditions.

	''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among ~~the~~ pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during ~~the~~ Yule period.		''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among tbe pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during tbe Yule period.

	===jews===		===jews===
Line 27:		Line 27:
	===Christmas Trees ===		===Christmas Trees ===
	{{main\|Christmas tree}}		{{main\|Christmas tree}}
	: ''[[Germany]] is credited with starting ~~the~~ Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in ~~the~~ 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that [[Martin Luther]], ~~the~~ 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by ~~the~~ brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture ~~the~~ scene for his family, he erected a tree in ~~the~~ main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in ~~the~~ 1830s by ~~the~~ German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The [[Pennsylvania]] German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as ~~the~~ 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, ~~the~~ tree was adopted so late in America. To ~~the~~ New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of ~~the~~ observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, ~~the~~ General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until ~~the~~ 19th century, when ~~the~~ influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined ~~the~~ Puritan legacy. In 1846, ~~the~~ popular royals, [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Albert, Prince Consort\|German Prince, Albert]], were sketched in ~~the~~ Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike ~~the~~ previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By ~~the~~ 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on ~~the~~ rise around ~~the~~ U.S. It was noted that [[Europeans]] used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while ~~the~~ [[German-American]] sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across ~~the~~ country and having a Christmas tree in ~~the~~ home became an American tradition.''<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees History of Christmas Trees], history.com, 2009</ref>		: ''[[Germany]] is credited with starting tbe Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in tbe 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that [[Martin Luther]], tbe 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by tbe brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture tbe scene for his family, he erected a tree in tbe main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in tbe 1830s by tbe German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The [[Pennsylvania]] German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as tbe 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, tbe tree was adopted so late in America. To tbe New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of tbe observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, tbe General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until tbe 19th century, when tbe influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined tbe Puritan legacy. In 1846, tbe popular royals, [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Albert, Prince Consort\|German Prince, Albert]], were sketched in tbe Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike tbe previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By tbe 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on tbe rise around tbe U.S. It was noted that [[Europeans]] used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while tbe [[German-American]] sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across tbe country and having a Christmas tree in tbe home became an American tradition.''<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees History of Christmas Trees], history.com, 2009</ref>

	===Santa Claus===		===Santa Claus===
	The role model for Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas, ~~the~~ patron saint of children, whose legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to ~~the~~ traditional model of Santa Claus as he is known today. It is also said ~~the~~ [[Germanic]] or [[pagan]] “{{lang-de\|[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Der_Sunnwendmann_(Gedicht) Sunnwendmann]}}” (Solstice man) may have been ~~the~~ model.		The role model for Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas, tbe patron saint of children, whose legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to tbe traditional model of Santa Claus as he is known today. It is also said tbe [[Germanic]] or [[pagan]] “{{lang-de\|[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Der_Sunnwendmann_(Gedicht) Sunnwendmann]}}” (Solstice man) may have been tbe model.

	When [[German American]] [[American Civil War\|Civil War]] cartoonist [[Thomas Nast]] (1840–1902) drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported ~~the~~ Union.		When [[German American]] [[American Civil War\|Civil War]] cartoonist [[Thomas Nast]] (1840–1902) drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported tbe Union.

	: ''Coca-Cola did not create ~~the~~ legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping ~~the~~ jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around ~~the~~ world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas ~~the~~ Night Before Christmas.”''<ref>[https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/did-coca-cola-invent-santa Did Coca-Cola create Santa Claus?]</ref>		: ''Coca-Cola did not create tbe legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping tbe jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around tbe world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas tbe Night Before Christmas.”''<ref>[https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/did-coca-cola-invent-santa Did Coca-Cola create Santa Claus?]</ref>

	Because gift-giving and many other aspects of ~~the~~ Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, ~~the~~ holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses sometimes called ~~the~~ Festival of Turnover. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over ~~the~~ past few centuries in many regions of ~~the~~ world.		Because gift-giving and many other aspects of tbe Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, tbe holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses sometimes called tbe Festival of Turnover. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over tbe past few centuries in many regions of tbe world.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

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	[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.~~jpg~~\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and the Christ child.]]		[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.png\|290px\|thumb\|right\|The Virgin Mary and the Christ child.]]
	[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).~~jpg~~\|right\|300px]]		[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).png\|right\|300px]]
	'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], the son of God.		'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], the son of God.

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	==History==		==History==
	[[File:German Christmas szene.~~jpg~~\|right\|300px]]		[[File:German Christmas szene.png\|right\|300px]]
	[[File:Julbaumschmuck.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|290px\|[[Christmas tree]] ornaments with [[Irminsul]]]]		[[File:Julbaumschmuck.png\|thumb\|290px\|[[Christmas tree]] ornaments with [[Irminsul]]]]
	[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]		[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.png\|thumb\|290px\|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]

	The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially the celebration of the coming and birth of [[Christ]] by the Virgin Mary following the Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.		The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially the celebration of the coming and birth of [[Christ]] by the Virgin Mary following the Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.

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	''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among the pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during the Yule period.		''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among the pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during the Yule period.

	===~~Jews~~===		===jews===
	[[~~Jews~~]] rejected, ridiculed and murdered Christ. Therefore Christmas has no meaning for them.		[[jews]] rejected, ridiculed and murdered Christ. Therefore Christmas has no meaning for them.

	===Christmas Trees ===		===Christmas Trees ===
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/12/26/yes-virginia-the-jews-stole-christmas/ An Academic Book on ~~Jewish~~ Subversion of Christmas]		*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/12/26/yes-virginia-the-jews-stole-christmas/ An Academic Book on jewish Subversion of Christmas]
	*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2019/12/23/bad-santa-and-eli-plauts-a-kosher-christmas/ “Bad Santa” and Eli Plaut’s “A Kosher Christmas”]		*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2019/12/23/bad-santa-and-eli-plauts-a-kosher-christmas/ “Bad Santa” and Eli Plaut’s “A Kosher Christmas”]
	*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2012/12/22/christmas-symbols-and-the-confederate-battle-flag-display-to-be-equally-forbidden/ Christmas Symbols And The Confederate Battle Flag: Display To Be Equally Forbidden?]		*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2012/12/22/christmas-symbols-and-the-confederate-battle-flag-display-to-be-equally-forbidden/ Christmas Symbols And The Confederate Battle Flag: Display To Be Equally Forbidden?]

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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist\|2}}

	[[Category:Christmas\| ]]		[[Category:Christmas\| ]]

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[[File:Christmas Virgin With Angels (1900), William Bouguereau.jpg|290px|thumb|right|The Virgin Mary and the Christ child.]]
[[File:Weihnachtsabend in der Dachstube von Robert Beyschlag (1838-1903).jpg|right|300px]]
'''Christmas''' is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], the son of God.

The date is arguably not the actual birth date of Jesus (there is some debate on this point) and the ancient Church may have initially chosen it to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, or the date of the winter solstice ({{lang-de|Wintersonnenwende}}).<ref>In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Many ancient people, especially [[Germanics]] and [[Japan]], believed that the sun was a God and that winter came every year because the Sun God had become sick and weak. The Europeans celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the Sun God would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the Sun God was strong and summer would return.</ref>

==History==
[[File:German Christmas szene.jpg|right|300px]]
[[File:Julbaumschmuck.jpg|thumb|290px|[[Christmas tree]] ornaments with [[Irminsul]]]]
[[File:Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, c. 1870.jpg|thumb|290px|''Santa Claus'' by Thomas Nast, c. 1870]]

The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is essentially the celebration of the coming and birth of [[Christ]] by the Virgin Mary following the Immaculate Conception by God. The birth took place in a stone cave used as a stable in Bethlehem, [[Palestine]]. Christians still pack their churches over this period (and [[Easter]]) even though they might not attend church otherwise. In most European countries Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and most (in some countries, all) commercial activities are closed down.

: "''Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role.''"<ref>Christmas https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas</ref>

===Yule===
{{main|Yule}}
An earlier term was [[Yule]], which may originally have referred to a pre-Christian festival around the winter solstice.

Yule was an important 12-day festival of the [[Germanic peoples]], which underwent [[Christian]]ised reformulation, resulting in the term 'Christmastide'. Some present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others may have connections to ancient pagan Yule traditions.

''Mōdraniht'', an event focused on collective female beings attested by [[Bede]] as having occurred among the pagan [[Anglo-Saxons]] on what is now Christmas Eve, has been seen as further evidence of a fertility event during the Yule period.

===Jews===
[[Jews]] rejected, ridiculed and murdered Christ. Therefore Christmas has no meaning for them.

===Christmas Trees ===
{{main|Christmas tree}}
: ''[[Germany]] is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that [[Martin Luther]], the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The [[Pennsylvania]] German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy. In 1846, the popular royals, [[Queen Victoria]] and her [[Albert, Prince Consort|German Prince, Albert]], were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived. By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that [[Europeans]] used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the [[German-American]] sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.''<ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees History of Christmas Trees], history.com, 2009</ref>

===Santa Claus===
The role model for Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, whose legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus as he is known today. It is also said the [[Germanic]] or [[pagan]] “{{lang-de|[https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Der_Sunnwendmann_(Gedicht) Sunnwendmann]}}” (Solstice man) may have been the model.

When [[German American]] [[American Civil War|Civil War]] cartoonist [[Thomas Nast]] (1840–1902) drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union.

: ''Coca-Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping the jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around the world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines. Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”''<ref>[https://www.coca-colacompany.com/faqs/did-coca-cola-invent-santa Did Coca-Cola create Santa Claus?]</ref>

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses sometimes called the Festival of Turnover. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

== See also ==
*[[Christmas truce]]

== External links ==
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/12/26/yes-virginia-the-jews-stole-christmas/ An Academic Book on Jewish Subversion of Christmas]
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2019/12/23/bad-santa-and-eli-plauts-a-kosher-christmas/ “Bad Santa” and Eli Plaut’s “A Kosher Christmas”]
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2012/12/22/christmas-symbols-and-the-confederate-battle-flag-display-to-be-equally-forbidden/ Christmas Symbols And The Confederate Battle Flag: Display To Be Equally Forbidden?]
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2020/12/23/the-war-on-christmas-updated/ The War on Christmas Updated]
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2020/12/26/is-it-anti-semitic-to-say-there-is-war-on-christmas/ Is it “anti-Semitic” to say there is war on Christmas?]

=== Article archives ===
*[https://vdare.com/articles/yes-virginia-dare-there-is-a-war-on-christmas-here-s-twenty-years-of-proof Vidare.com: War on Christmas]

=== Encyclopedias ===
*[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas Encyclopedia Britannica: Christmas]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Christmas| ]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Religion]]

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