Unveiling the mystery of where the beginning of Christmas came from, as we know it today…

There are tons of movies, songs, books, holiday decorations, and stories of Christmas characters. But what are they all based on? And where did these traditions come from? I mean, a rather round guy in a silly outfit sliding down sooty chimneys? How does that even happen anyway?

Who is Santa anyhow?

Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Christkind, Pere Noel, Babouschka, or simply Santa Claus.  We grow up with this heartwarming holiday tradition of Christmas trees and presents and sleigh bells, Santa of course being the loftiest of them all.

Saint Nicholas came to be a long time ago in a place called Turkey around the 4th century. Saint Nicholas was a bishop in a town called Myra, where he was known to perform miracles involving sailors as well as children. Eventually things evolved and December 25thbecame a holiday known to be associated with Saint Nicholas and a tradition was born.  Children allegedly left sweets, nuts and fruits around the house to welcome him. It’s been said that Dutch Settlers brought over this tradition to America.

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Kmonroe2
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Why do we put a pine tree inside the living room once a year?

Germans first started this in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their family homes.  It’s believed that Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer started lighting the tree with lit candles, starting the tree lighting era. It wasn’t until the mid-1800’s when Americans started to accept the Christmas tree, up until that point it was considered an oddity.

Pennsylvania German settlements had “Community Trees” since 1747 however; it was seen by many American Christians as a pagan symbol. In 1846 Queen Victoria introduced the Christmas Tree to the British world by showing up in a sketching with her children and prince Albert in the illustrated London News surrounding a festive tree.

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Li Ding
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Jack Frost nipping at your nose...

Jack Frost is personified as being everything cold, ice and winter. Jack has been nipping at noses for a long time.  Jack is known to be a sprite, or something of an elfish nature. He’s mischievous and wreaks havoc in the winter. He’s been known to be the reason that there are patterns in the frost and ice on windows in the early hours of cold winter mornings. He’s made several appearances on the big screen and in classic Christmas melodies.

In Russia he is known as Grandfather Frost, the bringer of the cold season. You can find mentions of him in The Christmas Song, Rise of the Guardians, and the third installment of The Santa Clause movies.

Rudolf the red-nose misfit

We all know the song and have seen the movies, but where did this beloved misfit come from really? Rudolf made his debut in a booklet in 1939 by Robert L. May and has been adapted to for the many various generations that followed. Children from far and wide are familiar with the heroic little reindeer that lights the path for Santa on the wildest Christmas Eve nights.

A song was released by Gene Autry in 1949 about the little guy, and he became all the more famous for it. In fact, when I think for Christmas stories, Rudolf is almost always the first one I think of.

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I hope your days will be Merry and Bright! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

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