Christmas Eve Essay

Many holidays are linked to faiths and religions. There are many holidays such as Tet holiday, Easter holiday, Labor Day†¦that being celebrate around the world. Among all those holiday, I think the most meaningful holiday is Christmas holiday. Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and it’s celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non- Christian. People celebrate Christmas Day in many ways. In the days or even weeks before Christmas Day, many people decorate their homes and gardens with lights, Christmas trees and much more. It is common to organize a special meal, often consisting of turkey and a lot of other festive foods, for family or friends and exchange gifts with them. Children, in particular, often receive a lot of gifts from their parents and other relatives and the mythical figure Santa Claus. This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasingly commercialized holiday, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food. The Bible does not give an exact date for the birth of Jesus. It is also unclear when December 25 became associated with the birth of Jesus, although it may have been around two hundred years after his birth. Church leaders selected December 25 for the Feast of the Nativity when the church decided that Christians needed a December holiday rival solstice celebrations. For Christians, it is the time to renew one’s faith, give generously and consider the past. Christmas tradition: Christmas traditions have a way of feeling timeless — you may have seen the same ornaments, sung the same songs and eaten the same foods for your whole life. Some Christmas traditions are, in fact, ancient. They have pre-Christian roots and originate from pagan winter-solstice celebrations or Roman festivals. Other traditions are relatively modern. Some significant holiday traditions include decorations, activities and food. Many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and tree, symbolizing everlasting light and life. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. The traditional color of Christmas are red symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which was shed in his crucifixion, while green symbolizes eternal life. On the Christmas day, people gather in the church to offer prayer to god. Different parts of the world have different traditions for celebrating Christmas. In some parts of the world, Christmas is celebrated for a week, whereas in other parts of the world, it starts with the Sunday next to November 26 and concludes on January 6 with the feast of Nativity. Christmas decorations activities: Outdoor light displays and other decorating traditions have created Christmas activities of their own. Lights and banners maybe hung along the streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places. Many Sunday schools, churches and communities organize special events. These can include decorating the neighborhood or a shopping mall, putting up a Christmas tree and planning a Nativity display, concert or performance. Some groups arrange meals, shelter or charitable projects for homeless and poor people. Christmas food: many culinary traditions are dependent on location. For instance in the South United States many families tend to have either ham or turkey for their main dish. Other families save the turkey for Thanksgiving and the ham for Easter, while eating a delicious prime rib for Christmas. Whatever you choose for your main course, potatoes, corns, beefs, dinner rolls, and fruit usually accompany the meal. Christmas gifts: for many people- whether they care to admit it or not-Christmas is about presents. Christmas’s gift- giving tradition has its roots in the three kings offering to the infant Jesus. Gifts were ostensibly meant to remind people of the magi’s offerings to Jesus and of God’s gift of Christ to humankind. Christmas carol: A lot of plays and songs have an aspect of Christmas as a theme. Eight hundred years ago, Christmas songs were performed for people in towns and villages. These songs were stories put to music and most people enjoy them. The leaders of the church, however, did not. They said the song were unsuitable, but about 180 years ago, the songs became popular again. Symbols: wide range of people and objects represent Christmas. These include baby Jesus, the Nativity and the Three Kings, but also Santa Claus, reindeer and elves. Common objects at this time of year are pine trees, holly, decorations, fairy lights, candles and presents. Christmas Day is now truly a mix of religious celebration and commercial interests. Christmas is a time for us to spent time with family and friends. It is also the time where we tend to eat some of the most delicious home cooked meals. Whatever you choose to serves on Christmas day, don’t forget through that relaxing and spending time with loved ones should be your first priority.