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Christmas History |
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Today the middle of the winter is celebrated as Christmas season around the world but many ancient traditions and holiday festivals have contributed to Christmas history, which is popularly associated with the Christian tradition for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior. The history of Christmas celebrations-giving of the gifts, the
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Yule log, singing of the carols, church processions, elaborate feasts, dates back to the early Mesopotamians over 4000 years ago.
Many of the traditions are associated with the Mesopotamians New Year's celebration, which was in the honor of their chief god, Marduk. It was believed that every year the God had to wage a war with monsters of chaos as winter season arrived. The Mesopotamian king had to return to the temple of the god to swear his faithfulness and return with Marduk to battle at his side. This called for the sacrifice of the king at the end of the year, so to spare their king they crowned a criminal, who was condemned to death as the 'mock king'. He was lavishly dressed in royal dress and was given all the privileges and respect of the king and then was sacrificed like the King himself. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year, Zagmuk that lasted for 12 days.
Ancient Greeks had a similar festival to help their God Kronos fought against the tyrant God Zeus and his Titans. Also the Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a festival called the Sacaea similar to Zagmuk to spread the message of universal love.. Part of that celebration was the role-reversal, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey.
Many early Europeans also celebrated birth and light during the darkest and coldest days of winter. The people rejoiced during this time when the most harsh days of winter were already gone by and they could hope for longer days and extended hours of warm sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norwegians celebrated Yule starting from December 21, the winter solstice, through end of January. During the harsh winters, the sun used to disappear for many days. With the sight of the first light, i.e., the return of the sun, the men in the house would bring large logs of wood into homes and set them on fire. A special feast was served around the fire with the Yule log and it continued until the log gets burned out completely, which usually took as many as12 days. The ancient Scandinavians believed that every spark from the fire stood for a new pig or calf that will take birth in the coming year.
In people in Germany, honored the pagan God Oden during the holidays in mid-winter. Since the Germans were scared of Oden, they believed that believed he made night-time flights through the sky to scrutinize his people, and decide who deserves to prosper or perish. Because of his watchful presence, many people preferred to stay at home. Also looking back through Christmas history it is believed that the practice of bringing fir trees (the Christmas tree) into homes and decorating them originated in Germany as well.
There are also many cultural versions of St. Nicholas who was a prominent contributor to Christmas history. As the legend tells, St. Nicholas was a Catholic bishop in Myra, the modern day Turkey. He was popular and appreciated for his generous gift giving. Prior to the celebration of Christmas as we know it today, St. Nicholas Day was celebrated in the memory of the renowned St. Nicholas. Eventually honoring St. Nicholas became associated with Christmas history developing into the myth of Santa Clause who delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
Though Christmas history has many cultural and religious influences that make Christmas festivities similar to other celebrations throughout the ages and various countries, the true purpose of the Christian holiday is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, in the Bethlehem manger.
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