CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The records suggest that the Christmas was first celebrated on 25 December 336 CE by the Catholic Church in Rome. However there are much to say that Christmas was celebrated even before that. Now it is the USA is the country where Christmas is most widely celebrated in the world. Other most celebrated countries are Finland, Ireland, Norway and Japan. While Japan is a Shinto and Buddhist country they celebrate Xmas with stars, decorated trees, wide variety of food etc. In Finland there are Santa Claus village, Santa park and Santa work shops. Senegal being a Muslim majority country, Xmas is a public holiday and almost entire population celebrate Christmas.
The Christmas tree of today was originated in Central Europe and Baltic states during the Renaissance. In Germany during the 16th century Christians brought decorated trees to their houses in memory of Christ's brightness and the Paradise and they adorned those with candles, fruits, nuts and colored papers. Slowly it spread to other parts of Europe and America. In 1840s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert took photos with this tree on the background and that made Xmas tree popular throughout the world.
The first available evidence of a personified Christmas was in 15th century in England in which 'Sir Christemas' was appeared in public and shared the news of the birth of Christ asked his audience to 'Make good cheer and be right Merry'. Santa Claus began in the 3rd century from Saint Nicholas a bishop lived in today's Turkey. He was quite a jolly one with a large belly. He always helped the poor and the sick. He became a very popular Bishop. And he is the one considered to be in the evolution of today's Santa Claus. The Dutch too are credited with transporting the legend of St. Nicholas to New Amsterdam (now New York City) alongwith gifts and sweets to children. These all together alongwith something and some other more might have shaped today's "Christmas Papa"
US, France, Italy, Cuba, Brazil, UK, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, Philippines etc are the countries largely celebrate Xmas with decoration, gifts, sweet and large feast.
K V George
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