Christmas Day

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century. Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas. During Christmas, they exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees.

Gift Giving

The custom of exchanging gifts to relatives and friends on a special day in winter probably began in ancient Rome and northern Europe. In these areas, people give gifts on each other as part of the celebration of the end of the year. In 1100, in many European countries, Saint Nicholas became the symbol of gift giving. According to legend, Saint Nicholas brings gifts to children on the night before the celebrations, on December 6. The characters who are not religious replaced Saint Nicholas in various countries shortly after the reform, and Dec. 25 became the day to exchange gifts. Now in the United States, Santa Claus brings presents to children.


Exchanging Gifts, Sending Greeting Cards
This activity has become popular since the 1800s. Christmas songs, called carol, sung and played during the holidays. Become popular since the 1800s. Decorating the house. Most Americans decorate the Christmas tree, the pine tree or artificial tree, in their homes. The lights and the circle of leaves from trees four seasons, mistletoe and Christmas greeting placed inside and outside many homes. Become popular since the 1800s.


Christmas Dinner
Often with a turkey. In addition, many of which held a feast just before and after Christmas.


Santa Claus
Santa Claus comes from the old story about a Christian named St. Nicholas and the Norwegian god named Odin. Migrants have brought Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas to the United States. His name was gradually changed to Santa Claus, the Dutch name for Father Christmas to the fourth century, Sinter Claas. Although the origin of the mythology of Norway before Christianity, just a figure of Santa Claus we know today in the United States. The Americans gave a white beard, dressed in red clothes and make him a cheery old with red cheeks and light in his eyes. Santa Claus is a mythical figure who is said to live in North Pole, where he makes toys all year round.

Charity
Christmas is also a time when Americans show generosity to those less fortunate. Money sent to hospitals and orphanages or created a special fund to help indigent miskin. Xmas is traditionally a time to stop all kinds of battle and strife.

A Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century. The Christmas tree is traditionally brought into the home and decorated with Christmas lights (originally candles), ornaments, garlands, tinsel, and candy canes during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

Food
A special Christmas family meal is traditionally an important part of the holiday's celebration, and the food that is served varies greatly from country to country. Some regions, such as Sicily, have special meals for Christmas Eve, when 12 kinds of fish are served. In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey, meat, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, sometimes bread and cider. Special desserts are also prepared, such as Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake. In Poland and other parts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish often is used for the traditional main course, but richer meat such as lamb is increasingly served. In Germany, France and Austria, goose and pork are favored. Beef, ham and chicken in various recipes are popular throughout the world. The Maltese traditionally serveImbuljuta tal-Qastan, a chocolate and chestnuts beverage, after Midnight Mass and throughout the Christmas season. Slovaks prepare the traditional Christmas bread potica, bûche de Noël in France, panettonein Italy, and elaborate tarts and cakes. The eating of sweets and chocolates has become popular worldwide, and sweeter Christmas delicacies include the German stollen, marzipan cake or candy, and Jamaican rum fruit cake. As one of the few fruits traditionally available to northern countries in winter, oranges have been long associated with special Christmas foods.

A Christmas Word
Merry Christmas to all of you! I know, I know - Christmas Eve is coming soon. We are going to have a Christmas party in the evening. Nevertheless, it is a fun to have all your near ones together and have fun. I just found how to say "Merry Christmas" in different languages. Here it is....


Antarctica: - Merry Christmas, Felices Pasquas, Hristos Razdajetsja
Argentina: - Feliz Navidad!
Australia: - Happy Christmas
Austria: - Frohe Weihnachten

Bangladesh: - Shuvo Baro Din
Barbados: - Merry Christmas
Belarus: - Winshuyu sa Svyatkami
Belgium: - Zalig Kerstfeest
Brazil: - Feliz Natal

Colombia: - Feliz Navidad para todos
Chile: - Feliz Navidad China Sheng Tan Kuai Loh
Croatia: - Sretan Bozic
Cuba: - Feliz Navidad
Cyprus: - Eftihismena Christougenna, Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yili
Czech Republic: - Vesele Vanoce

Democratic People's Republic of Korea: - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Denmark: - Glaedelig Jul

Egypt: - Mboni Chrismen
El Salvador: - Feliz Navidad

Fiji: - Merry Christmas
Finland: - Hauskaa Joulua
France: - Joyeux Noel

Guatemala: - Feliz Navidad
Guinea: - Joyeux Noel
Guinea-bissau: - Boas Festas
Guyana: - Merry Christmas

Ireland: - Nollaig Shona dhuit
Israel: - Mo'adim Lesimkha
Italy: - Buon Natale

Mexico: - Feliz Navidad
Monaco: - Joyeux Noel
Montserrat: - Merry Christmas
Morocco: - Mboni Chrismen
Mozambique: - Boas Festas

Netherlands: - Prettige Kerstdagen
Norway: - Gledelig Jul

Oman: - Mboni Chrismen

Pakistan: - Bara Din Mubarrak Ho
Palau: - Merry Christmas
Panama: - Feliz Navidad
Polish WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT

Tunisia: - Mboni Chrismen
Turkey: - Mutlu Noeller
Turks and Caicos Islands: - Happy Christmas
Tamil(Indian): -Christmas vazhthukkal

Zambia: - Happy Christmas
Zimbabwe: - Happy Christmas

Well, well, there are lots more. But I can collect only these many. Hehe..


A PRAYER OF THANKS


Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to earth as a baby so many years ago. Thank you that He paid the punishment for my sins by dying on the cross. And thank you that He rose again to prove that death was truly defeated. I place my trust in You to be my Savior. Guide me through the dark times of my life and give me courage to live for You. Amen.