MainStreet Libertyville Dickens of a Holiday Book 2005

Christmas
History states that Christmas was celebrated long before the birth
of Christ. The Mesopotamians, over 4000 years ago, believed in
many gods with their chief god being Marduk. Tradition had it
that the king would die at the end of the year. He was protected
from death by a criminal “mock” king who was dressed in royal
clothing and slain on the last day of the year. They held a festival
for the New Year (Zagmuk) that lasted 12 days.
Scandinavian countries celebrate the Yuletide, which is a festival
of the return of the sun. During the winter months the sun would
disappear for a number of days. Scouts were sent into the
mountains to find the light. Upon their return of sighting the first
light this great celebration would be held with bonfires to honor
the sun and tying apples to tree branches to remind them that
spring is on its way.
The Romans decorated their homes with
garlands of laurel and lit green trees with
candles. They honored their god Saturn by
having festivals in the streets, meals with
family and friends and exchanging good luck
gifts (strenae) amongst masters and slaves.
Folklore claims that the Christian Christmas was invented to
compete against the pagan celebrations of the month of
December. The 25th was a significant day in the life of the
Romans. It was a sacred day for the Romans and the Persians
whose religion was a rival of the Christians.
December 25th is the Christian day of celebrating the birth of
Christ. The exact date of the birth of Christ is not known but in
137 AD the Bishop of Rome declared the birthday of Christ be
celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD Julius I, another Bishop
of Rome, chose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.
The History of the Christmas Tree
Germans were the first to decorate their homes with
what we now recognize as a Christmas tree. They
would light the trees with candles, string nuts and
apples together. In the late 1800’s American’s began
accepting the Christmas tree and the first was
displayed in Pennsylvania by the German Settlers.
Christmas Around the World
December 6th is when St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in
Germany, France and Holland. This is the day that is in honor of
the Bishop of Myra, St Nicholas. He was a man who believed in
charity. The Dutch Sinterklaas was a bishop that wore red and
rode a white horse to spread good will amongst the people. The
Dutch also celebrated on December 5th when a ship arrived
carrying the assistant, Black Peter, with a book telling of the
good and evil children. Germany also had an assistant,
Knecht Ruprech.
Dickens of a Holiday
January 5th is when children in Italy place their shoes out for the
night for the LaBefana (the good witch). In Italy, LaBefania,
dressed in black.
January 6th is the time for the small children of Puerto Rico
place greens and flowers in a small box and places it under the
bed for the camels of the 3 Kings. On this date also the Italians
and the Spanish exchange gifts.
“Santa” had helpers in various countries: Switzerland is where
the girl angel, Christkindl arrived with gifts. Julenisse was an elf
who assisted in Scandinavian countries.
The Christmas Stocking
Legend is told that there was a very poor
farmer who had 3 daughters. On Christmas
Eve they hung their stocking by the fire to
dry and the next morning each stocking
was filled with a bag of gold. In France the
custom is to place your shoes by the
fireplace. Holland has the custom of filling
their shoes with hay and carrots for the
reindeer. In Hungary the children shine
their shoes and place them by a window
or door to be filled with treats. The children of the United States
hang their stockings to be filled with sweets.
Dickens of a Holiday Book —27—