Background of Christmas By : Aaron Curtis 12/13/12

Introduction Have you ever wondered where Christmas come from? Or how did Santa become a mascot for Christmas. Well hold on to your stockings we are about to be blasted to the past!

Main Points Christmas come from? History of the tree. Why Stockings? Who is Saint Nick?

Origin of Christmas Where is Christmas from? How did it become popular?

Christmas History I believe we celebrate Christmas on the 25 th because of Pagans. They had a feast to celebrate the birthing of the son of Isis (nature Goddess). Not because Jesus was born on that day. In fact he was probably born in September. Because Sheppard's are tending to their sheep at night.

Popularity It is more than likely that Christmas became popular during the revolution. Because of the Europeans that came to help us out.

History of the Tree How did it come into play Why do we decorate our tree.

Tree history Centuries ago in Great Brittan, wood priests called druids used evergreen during mysterious winter solstice rituals. They used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal and placed evergreen branches on their door to ward of evil spirits.

Tree History (continued) Medieval Germany were the first ones to place evergreen trees inside their houses. It was a sign of hope for the upcoming Spring.

Decoration Legend has it that Martin Luther in the 1500’s put candles on his tree and lit them to celebrate Christ's birth.

Stockings How did stockings become a tradition Why do people get oranges

Christmas Stockings Their was a noble man who became poor. He had three daughters. They did all of the sewing and cleaning. When it came time for them to marry the man became worried. But Saint Nick got an idea, he dropped three bags of gold down into their stockings and they were able to get married. (Women had to pay the men for the wedding.)

The Oranges Apparently the bags of gold turned into gold orbs. Which we use oranges to symbolize.

Santa Who is saint nick? Down the chimney?

Who is saint Nick/ Down the Chimney Saint Nick was a man who just found joy in giving gifts to people. He started by helping three women who had no money to get married. So Saint Nick threw bags of gold down the chimney into their stockings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope this helped you learn about how Christmas was started and about all of the fun traditions.