Christmas is celebrated on 25th December of every year. But the history of Santa Claus has its origin way back in 270 AD. Let’s go back to the days of the origin of Christmas and explore how Santa Claus is at the root of it all.
Christmas Day History & Significance Of Santa Claus
… one of the most important Christmas history facts is that on Christmas Eve, he is believed to slip down chimneys at every household to deliver his gifts without being seen for greater good, which is the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is celebrated on 25th December of every year. But the history of Santa Claus has its origin way back in 270 AD. Starting right in the beginning, a boy called Saint Nicolas was born into a well-to-do family in Patara. Raised in a family of pious Christians, he was brought up with religious values. When his parents died in an epidemic, he inherited a fortune, which he decided to put to good use considering the religious teachings that were deeply rooted in him.
Santa contributed heavily towards the upliftment of the poor. In no time, he rose in popularity among the masses and soon became a Bishop in a city called Myra. And, one of the most important Christmas history facts is that on Christmas Eve, he is believed to slip down chimneys at every household to deliver his gifts without being seen for the greater good, which is the spiritual meaning of Christmas. That’s what defined an integral part of Christmas significance.
Christmas Traditions & Celebrations
… keeping stockings hanging on Christmas Eve became a part of Christmas Eve traditions, hoping that Santa Claus would fill them up with gifts.
Christmas customs also dawn from the good deeds Christmas legends have about Santa Claus. Folklore has it that it was customary for fathers to offer a heavy dowry when their daughters got married. The higher the amount of dowry, the easier it was for women to find a husband.
There was an old man who was poor enough to be unable to afford a dowry for any of his three daughters. This meant that all his daughters would remain unmarried, making them vulnerable to the vile practice of slavery. However, on Christmas eve, the evening before Christmas, the family chanced upon a bag of gold, which had been tossed through one of their windows and had then got stuck in one of their stockings. The gold coins were enough as a healthy dowry for all three daughters, saving them from the perils of exploitation.
From then on, keeping stockings hanging on Christmas Eve became a part of Christmas Eve traditions, hoping that Santa Claus would fill them up with gifts. This defines how Christmas started being celebrated – the Christmas history and the origin of Christmas. And, since then, this practice has remained an essential part of Christmas rituals and traditions.
5 Christmas Symbols That Are An Integral Part Of Christmas Traditions & Their Meanings
A lot of you may know that the star atop the Christmas tree signifies the star in Bethlehem, defining the Christmas wreath’s meaning. The meaning emphasises the importance of the star in Christmas. On the other hand, the Christmas wreath meaning points to the infinity of creation. Here are 5 other popular Christmas symbols that you may be interested in knowing about:
1. Angel Tree Toppers
It is a reminder of the angels who we present at the time of Jesus’s birth.
The Christmas tree remains incomplete without an angel sitting pretty right at the top. It is a reminder of the angels who we present at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. To be more specific, angels appeared over the sky at Bethlehem, heralding the birth of their saviour – a significant story related to Jesus’s birth.
2. Boughs Of Holly
The red round berry with two leaves of the Holly plant on either side stands for the winter season, indicates an auspicious time for Christians.
If you’re aware of the most popular Christian hymns, this Christmas symbol will immediately remind you of the carol, “Deck the halls”. The red round berry with two leaves of the Holly plant on either side stands for the winter season, indicating an auspicious time for Christians.
3. Christmas Bells
Bells are a representative of good omen, and their tingling sound and vibrations are believed to drive away evil spirits.
Bells are a representative of good omen, and their tingling sound and vibrations are believed to drive away evil spirits. They were a significant part of Christian celebrations even before Christmas became a tradition.
4. Christmas Candy Canes
Straight, white sugar sticks were an integral part of the sweets that were hung on the tree as a part of Christmas traditions in Germany in the 1600s. The sweet got its crooked shape in 1670 when a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral decided to innovate it, to resemble a shepherd’s staff.
5. Christmas Dove
For Christians, the white bird represents peace on earth and using these birds as Christmas decorations is believed to evoke the same during the holiday season. Check out 20 fun DIY christmas decor ideas for your home here.
According to the Bible, the Three Wise Men carried gold, myrrh, and frankincense for Christmas rituals, while the shepherds carried humble gifts like dove, honey, and fruits. For Christians, the white bird represents peace on earth and using these birds as Christmas decorations are believed to evoke the same during the holiday season.
Christmas Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 450 grams mixed dried fruit
- 25 gms mixed candied fruit peel (finely chopped)
- 1 small cooking apple (peeled & finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ½ tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup brandy, more as needed
- 55 gms self-rising flour
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 110 gms (shredded)
- 110 gms dark brown sugar
- 110 gms (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs
- 25 gms (¼ cup) whole almonds (coarsely chopped)
- 2 large eggs
Method
- Take all the fried and candied fruits in a large bowl and mix the brandy in it. Cover with a towel and marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Butter a 2½ pint pudding basin.
- Take another mixing bowl, flour, cinnamon, and mixed spice. Next, add breadcrumbs, sugar, and almonds and stir them in.
- Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and stir them in with the dry ingredients.
- Pour the soft mixture into the pudding basin, and cover it with parchment paper, followed by an aluminium foil layer.
- Place the basin in a steamer floating over a pan of simmering water. Steam for 7 hours. Check the water level at regular intervals to ensure that the water hasn’t dried up completely.
- Take the pudding off the steamer and allow it to cool completely. Remove the cover, prick the pudding in a few places, and pour in a little more brandy.
- Let this sit for a few hours. Steam again before serving.
Christmas, like all other festivals, is a time for happiness, warmth, and mirth. So, know about the history and significance of the day and the symbols associated with it, make your favourite warm cuppa and pair it with a lip-smacking dessert for a jolly good time. Also, if you are looking for inspiration for dressing up for a party, check out 10 chic christmas outfit ideas here. Merry Christmas!
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