The Meaning of Christmas

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The Meaning of Christmas

• Deirdre Tavares

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Back in time

• Before Christianity, 384 A.D.
• Pagans celebrated the end of the harvest season,
  according to the Roman calender.
  
• This celebration was dedicated to the ancient
  Roman gods. Saturn was the god of the harvest,
  and Mithras was the god of light.
  
• Part of the celebration, included preparation of
  special foods, singing, and using greenery for
  decorations.

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After Christianity

• In late 300 A.D. when Christianity became the
  religion of the
  
• Roman Empire, the practice of gift giving and
  celebration
  
• continued until the Reformation of England in the
  1500s.
  
• Christmas was considered pagan, and therefore
  England
  
• and some of the American colonies banned the
  celebration.
  
• But people continued to exchange gifts and it
  became the
  
• celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
• In most parts of Europe, Christmas is celebrated
  on Dec. 25th
  
• although, in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium,
  and
  
• Luxemburg, it is celebrated on Dec. 6th, in honor
  of Saint
  
• Nicholas aka Santa Claus.

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The Colors of Green and Red

• The colors of green and red are symbolic to
  Christmas.
  
• Green represents the continuance of life. It is
  the green in
  
• new growth that enables life to continue. Red is
  symbolic for
  
• blood that Christ shed for the salvation of
  humanity.

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Yes, Virginia..there really was a Santa Claus

• Saint Nicholas is believed to have been a
• bishop, who lived someplace in Asia Minor,
• possibly Turkey.
• He is the patron saint of children.
• He gave money to the poor and needy, and this
  tradition of giving continues today.
  
• In some countries, like Germany, Christmas is
  celebrated on Dec. 6th, the anniversary of his
  death.

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Peace and Goodwill

• The meaning of Christmas began to change in the
• 19th century. We still practice the traditions
  of gift
  
• giving and sending greetings in the form of
• Christmas cards. We still gather for the
  Christmas
  
• Day feast. Some of us attend midnight mass or
• services on Christmas Day. The most important
• place we must celebrate Christmas is in our
  hearts.
  
• And we must extend this celebration to others,
  not
  
• so much in the act of exchanging gifts. After
  all,
  
• love, patience, kindness and forgiveness are
  gifts
  
• too.

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Have yourself a merry Christmas

• Thank you for viewing my presentation