Merry Christmas

The origin of Christmas

Christmas is an important holiday for Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small city in Judea. It is written that the Virgin Mary was moved by the Holy Spirit to conceive, and on her return to her hometown with her husband Joseph, all the inns were full, so Mary was forced to give birth to Jesus in a manger. It is said that while Jesus was sleeping peacefully in the manger, three doctors in the far east followed a bright star in the sky and found Jesus and worshiped him. The shepherds in the wilderness also heard the voice of an angel in heaven, announcing to them the good news of the birth of Jesus.

The year of Jesus’ birth has not been examined, but most archaeologists agree that the year of his birth was the year of the division of the centuries (i.e., one year B.C.). However, the correct date cannot be determined, so the early Christian sects changed the Roman Empire’s Mithraic commemoration of the birth of the sun god on December 25 to Christmas.

The Legend of Christmas

Santa Claus is a character in the Christian fairy tale, legend has it that he is the incarnation of a bishop, a kindly old man wearing a big red robe, with a white beard and white eyebrows.

Every Christmas, he would come from the far north in a sleigh, from the chimney into each house, to distribute gifts, so the children on Christmas night are put shoes and socks by the fireplace. When the children went to bed sleepy, they put their shoes and stockings by the fireplace with their mouths facing upwards, hoping that the gifts Santa Claus brought would fill their shoes and stockings.

The customs of Christmas

Christmas trees

Christmas trees began in Germany, is a fir tree, pine and other evergreen and tower trees by cutting, plus a variety of decorations made. Usually a five-pointed star or a cherub is placed at the top of the tree. The tree is decorated with all kinds of candy, snacks, lights, toys, etc., hanging or under the tree full of Christmas gifts, Christmas night, people around the Christmas tree singing and dancing, enjoy the joy.

Christmas stockings

Christmas stockings are a pair of large red socks that are hung next to the bed on Christmas Eve before bedtime for Santa to come down the chimney in the middle of the night and fill with presents. Parents usually pretend to be Santa Claus and stuff the gifts into the stockings of their children. This tradition refers to the fact that people place a lighted candle outside the house during Christmas. Even in the darkest of houses, candles bring light and symbolize hope. In earlier times, when Christians were deeply persecuted, they were forbidden to preach and pray. Therefore, Christians kept a candle outside their houses to suggest that they were still praying silently in their hearts.

Giving gifts to friends and family

This tradition originates from a legend in which three wise men gave gifts to the baby Jesus on Christmas Day. Every year at Christmas, friends and family, especially children, give each other gifts, and the story of Santa Claus originates from this tradition.

Singing Christmas carols

Christmas season always echoes with one traditional Christmas song after another. The songs bring joy to people and add to the festive atmosphere. Various Christmas hymns or carols such as “The First Christmas”, “Jingle Bells” and “Universal Jubilee” play melodiously every year when Christmas is celebrated.

Christmas hat

Christmas hat is a red hat, with white hairy edge and the tip of the cap white hair ball, it is said that the night sleep wearing it will sleep extra peacefully sweet, is the protagonist of the carnival night, the indispensable standard configuration.

It seems that Christmas time is here once again, and it is time again to bring in the New Year. Bensen wish the merriest of Christmas to you and your loved ones, and we wish you happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.