History and Traditions of Christmas - Sociology - Lecture Slides, Slides of Sociology

Download History and Traditions of Christmas - Sociology - Lecture Slides and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Christmas Around the World Docsity.com Christmas Docsity.com Christmas  Nativity scene comes from the Bible, especially in the books of Matthew and Luke Docsity.com Christmas  Catholic Church set December 25th as the celebration date to combine with the Roman holiday of the winter solstice (when sun has no apparent North or South movement) in 336 A.D. Docsity.com Turkey  Santa Claus comes from a real person in 325 A.D. – Saint Nicholas in Turkey*  Reputation for kindness and generosity  Legends of financial miracles on behalf of the poor and unhappy * Mostly Christian nation at this time Docsity.com Germany  Christmas tree is a German tradition, dating to about 700 A.D.  “Yule” log was a large foundational log placed in the fireplace Name comes from an associated celebratory cry heard about Christmastime because the nights were becoming shorter Docsity.com Holland  Dutch name for Nicholas was Sinterklaas, which became Santa Claus  Gifts are exchanged on Christmas day partly because of the Dutch Santa Claus legends Docsity.com Scandinavia  Legends from folktales told of a magician that punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents Docsity.com England  Songs or “carols” [songs] were sung by small choirs for the pleasure of those that happened to walk by  Christmas cards started in London in 1843 Docsity.com France  Singing “carols” [songs] accompanied by a group dance  Noel in French is translated Christmas Docsity.com Greece  Christmas is abbreviated Xmas because the word for Christ in Greek is Xristos Docsity.com Epcot Center in Florida  Each country pavilion has a section dedicated to the history and traditions of Christmas (during the Christmas season) Docsity.com Christmas in America  Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas  Immigrants brought their Christmas traditions, especially in the 1700s and early 1800s  Christmas as a national celebration gathered momentum during the mid- 1800s Docsity.com Christmas  U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, J.R. Poinsett, imported (what became) the poinsettia for Christmas in 1828 Docsity.com Christmas  Outdoor White House tree tradition started in 1923 with President Coolidge Docsity.com Christmas in America  Two most popular secular songs at Christmas are:  Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (1942)  Gene Autry’s “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer” (1949) Based upon the Montgomery Wards booklet of the same named given away free in 1939 – written by a father attempting to cheer up a sad daughter grieving over a dieing mother Docsity.com Christmas  There’s something to celebrate for everybody:  Great traditions incorporating aspects from many countries  Significant religious events Docsity.com