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There are a wide range of Christmas traditions. One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is the family Christmas tree. This has no Christian origins, but Celtic/Germanic origins. It was a German tradition brought to Britain by Prince Albert. The Germans who emigrated to America brought it with them. Many southern European and Latin American families have Christmas chreches. With modern media these traditions have tended to blend somewhat with creches under the Christmas tree. They have also spread around the world. Decorating the house with greenery is another Celtic custom which has found its way to the modern home. The characters involved in Christmas also vary as do the specific day celebrated and the nature of the celebration. Gift giving is a common Christmas celebration, although the day chosen for this is not always Christmas. A popular tradition in Europe is an Advent calander. We have begun to see this in America although it is not very common. Food is a major aspect of Christmas celebrations, but this varies wsidely from country to country. Americans, for example, tend to eat turkey while Poles often eat carp--quite a difference. And there are many other food traditions in other countries.
One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is the family Christmas tree. This has no Christian origins, but Celtic/Germanic origins. The history of the Christmas tree is somewhat hazzy, primarily because it is so old. There are, as a result, no historical records covering the actual origins. Surely it is tied in with the Celtic/Germanic tradition of bringing greenery into the home during the winter. The actual history of the Christmas tree appears to be tied in primarily with three countries: Germany, England, and America. The origins are clearly German, but England and America have played supporting rules.
While the Chrostmas tree was a German tradition, it was brought to Britain by Prince Albert who was of course a German prince. Many modern traditions accepted throughout Europe and North America are Vicyorian in origin and the Christmas tree is one of them. Interestingly the English people who settled Ameica did not bring the Christmas tree tradition with them. It was the Germans who emigrated to America that brought the Christmas tree tradition with them. It was the American commercialization of Christmas and the role of media in spreading American fashions and traditions around the world. Thus the Christmas trees we see in countries around the world may be a German tradition, but are just as likely to have beem implanted there by Ameruica.
Many southern European and Latin American families have Christmas chreches. With modern media these traditions have tended to blend somewhat with creches under the Christmas tree. They have also spread around the world.
Decorating the house with greenery is another Celtic custom which has found its way to the modern home.
The characters involved in Christmas also vary as do the specific day celebrated and the nature of the celebration.
Gift giving is a common Christmas celebration, although the day chosen for this is not always Christmas.
A popular tradition in Europe is an Advent calander. We have begun to see this in America although it is not very common.
Food is a major aspect of Christmas celebrations, but this varies widely from country to country. Americans, for example, tend to eat turkey as the centerpice of the Christmas dinner. Some families have ham. People in other countries have very different food traditions. Poles often eat carp--quite a difference. And there are many other food traditions in other countries.
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