Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The History of Christmas

The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.


Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.


The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side. 

 

To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king. 


The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey. 


Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun. 


In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return. 


The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans. 


The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits). 


The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places 


"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia. 


But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God. 


Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas. 


The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Poems for Mothers

I'm posting 3 beatiful Christmas Poems for Mothers, read it and learn more about the spirit of this Holiday.

Now that it's Christmas
Now that it's Christmas
I really have to say
Thank you Mum (Mom) (Mam) for all you do 
In your quiet efficient way

I don't know how I'd cope
Without you by my side
I know that life would be
A very bumpy ride

As the seasons come and go
And Christmas time arrives
It takes the festive season
To make me realize

I do not take the time to say
I appreciate all you do
So a very Merry Christmas, Mum (Mom) 
And lots of love to you

Untitled 
Mum you know I (we) rely on you
Perhaps more than I (we) ought
But I (we) really do appreciate
All your love and support
Have a really lovely Christmas
And may all your pressies be beauties
Have a nice long rest before resuming
Your child minding duties
Which I (we) hope you find rewarding
Not in money terms, as such
But knowing that I (we) and the children
Love you very much

When I was a child…

When I was a child
And a right tearabout
You knew things without seeing
Intuition, no doubt

With that same intuition
I'm hoping you'll know
How much I love you
(It doesn't always show) 

Happy Festive Period, Mum Mam Mom

And I hope each day will be
As filled with joy
As you've made life for me 

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Christmas Tree


The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times around the world in winter celebrations when they use trees when honoring their spirits and gods.Christmas trees were originaly decored with local  fruits like apples, cookies, nuts, colored popcorn and candles. In the early 20th century Christmas Lights begin to be used  in houses with eletrical energy.
Today decorate a Christmas Tree is a tradition in United Estates and every year a lot of  americans and  public buildings display your own decorated Christmas Trees with lights, stars and more.Around the world Christmas tree has also become accepted and local  community also create and decorate christmas trees like in USA.