Resumo de Stories Behind The Great Traditions Of Christmas

Many people caught up in the commercialism and stress of Christmas today long for a simpler time when it was an old fashioned holiday. But not all ancient customs were Christian and many Christian customs are fairly recent innovations.Christians did not even celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th until the 1800's. Most Bible scholars believe that Christ was probably born in the spring, based on Roman census practices and scriptures describing the nativity. It is unlikely that shepherds were outside with their flocks during the winter. Midwinter festivals were common in ancient cultures. Before the Roman Empire converted to Christianity, most people were Pagans. To avoid religious persecution, ancient Christians adapted Pagan symbols to fit Christian beliefs. For instance, most Romans decorated with Holly during Saturnalia (a weeklong festival held to honor Saturn, god of peace and plenty). Pagans believed the Holly plant could be used to ward off evil magic and bring good luck. Christians used Holly as a teaching tool, saying that the prickly leaves represented the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus during the crucifixion.Beginning on the Sunday nearest November 30 and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent was essentially 4 weeks set aside to contemplate what the coming of Jesus meant to the world and to each individual soul. Officially established by church leaders during the sixth century, Advent was supposed to be a time of personal retrospection and growth. It had three different meanings. First, the coming of the Son of God to Earth in human form as the babe in the manger. Two, the coming of Jesus into the lives, hearts and minds of those who accepted him as their Savior. Three, the future coming when Jesus returns to Earth as King.Teaching the Catholic faith was outlawed in sixteenth century England, thus the church went underground. Poems like the Twelve Days of Christmas were used to describe various Christian tenets. The ?true love? in the song is actually code for God. The partridge represents Jesus (partridges are the only birds that will die to protect their young). Two turtledoves represent the Old and New Testament. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. Four calling birds refer to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Five gold rings refer to the first five books of the Old Testament, sometimes called the Torah. Six geese a-laying symbolizes one egg for each day of creation. The seven swans are gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion). A milkmaid was a very low level servant. The eight who were blessed included the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. The nine dancers symbolized the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). As lords were judges and in charge of the law, gift ten stood for the Ten Commandments. Eleven pipers piping refers to the original apostles who carried the gospel message (less Judas who hanged himself before the resurrection). The drummers are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles? Creed.The origin of Boxing Day goes back to the Anglican church of the middle ages. In churches throughout England, money boxes were placed near the buildings? entrances. Church members were asked to place special offerings in these boxes throughout the year. On December 26th, the offerings were distributed to the poor and needy. Hundreds of charities collect throughout the year, but donations always increase during the Christmas season.

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