Jingle all the way...!
By Purva

"Christmas time
Mistletoe and wine
Children singing carols
and rhymes...
With logs on the fire
And gifts on the tree
A time to rejoice
In the good that
We see...."

COME December, and the Christmas season begins, filling the air with thoughts of Santa Claus, gifts, Christmas tree, bells, lights, carols, decorations stuffed turkey and a lot of snow. The word "Christmas" comes from "Cristes Maesse", an early English phrase that meant "mass of Christ". Also, sometimes the word "X’ mas" is used instead of Christmas. In Greek, "X" is the first letter of Christ’s name. It was frequently used as a holy symbol.

The first mention of the celebration of Christmas occurred in 336 AD , in an early Roman calendar which was probably influenced by Pagan (non-Christian) festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held mid-winter celebrations to honour "Saturn", their harvest god; and "Mithras", the god of light. As a part of all these celebrations, people prepared special foods, decorated their homes, exchanged gifts and joined in singing.

By 1100, Christmas had become the most important religious festival in Europe. During the 1400s and 1500s, many artists painted scenes of the "Nativity", the birth of Jesus. In 1800s, Christmas customs like decorating Christmas trees and sending cards became popular. Christmas carols like Silent Night and Hark ! The Herald Angels Sing! were also composed during this time.

The Christmas tree — the main attraction for everyone — is thoroughly decorated with lots of presents, sweets, toys, bells, stars, lights and the likes. The concept of a Christmas tree probably evolved from the "Paradise Tree" a type of evergreen tree, in medieval Germany. This tree, decorated with red apples, was used in popular Christmas plays about Adam and Eve. By 1605, many German families decorated their homes with evergreen trees for Christmas. In the UK, Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, is said to have introduced this Christmas tree from his native land of Germany. The first Christmas trees in the USA were used in the early 1800s by the Germans who settled in Pennsylvania.

Many Christians have an "Advent Wreath" in their homes. The word "Advent" refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas day. Most of these wreaths are made up of holly (an evergreen shrub) branches and these are mostly hung on the doors. The Christmas wreath, like the tree, symbolises the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter. The word "holly" may have come from the "holy" tree. The needle-like points of the leaves were thought to resemble the crown of thorns Jesus wore when he was crucified and the red berries symbolised the drops of blood He shed.

The mistletoe is an evergreen plant with dark leaves and shiny white berries. Ancient Celtic priests considered the plant sacred and gave people sprigs of it to be used as charms. In many countries, any person standing under the mistletoe may be kissed by someone of the opposite sex. The word "carol" comes from an old French word and originally referred to a ring dance accompanied by a song. Most of the carols sung today were originally composed in 1700s and 1800s.

The traditional colours of Christmas are green and red. "Green" represents the continuance of life through winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Christ. "Red" symbolises the blood that Jesus Christ shed at his Crucifixion.

The first Christmas card was created in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley, an English illustrator. It resembled a postcard which showed a large family enjoying a Christmas celebration with a message — "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". About 1000 cards were sold. By 1860, exchanging of cards had spread to other countries, as well.

Many kids grow up believing that there is a real Santa Claus, who, on his sleigh, lands on a roof and comes down the chimney to leave presents for them. The eating of turkey is also a custom related to Christmas which was introduced in the USA. Before the 17th century people ate roasted goose for the Christmas dinner.

The Christmas season ends on "Epiphany", January 6. Epiphany celebrates the coming of the "Magi" (three wise men) to the Christ child. The song The twelve days of Christmas, refers to the day between Christmas and Epiphany.

Many Christmas customs are common all over the world. But there are slight differences in way it is celebrated in each country. The most common and traditional way of celebrating Christmas is by decorating homes with Christmas trees, bells, and with carols filling the air. City streets sparkle with lights, and children write letters to Santa Claus (known as Father Christmas). These days many department stores hire people who wear Santa Claus costumes, who give children little gifts (mostly sweets). Sending cards to friends and relatives is also quite common.

Saint Nicholas visits children’s homes on Saint Nicholas Eve on December 5, to deliver sweets in Germany. The Christkindl (Christ Child) sends Weihnachtsman (the Christmas Man), the German version of Father Christmas, who delivers presents on Christmas Eve. Spicy cakes called Lebkuchen are also made, in various shapes and used as decorations. In France, children put their shoes in front of the fireplace so that Pere Noel (Father Christmas) can fill them up with gifts. Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) marks the start of the pantomime season in Britain. This day is also a traditional day for hunting and sports events such as soccer matches. Many Black Americans combine Christmas with Kwanzaa, an Afro-American holiday.

People sing and dance in the streets after the Midnight Mass on Christmas eve in Spain. Most Spanish homes and churches display a miniature "Nativity" scene called nacimiento. In Poland, people attend Pasterka (shepherd’s mass) at midnight on Christmas Eve. Many Polish families follow the tradition of breaking an Oplatek, a thin wafer made of wheat flour and water. The head of the family holds the wafer and each member breaks off a small piece and eats it. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg have a similar tradition — Saint Nicholas, wearing a red robe, arrives on a boat from Spain and rides down the streets on a white horse with his servant "Zwarte Piet" (Black Piet) giving away presents to children.

In Sweden, the oldest daughter in the home dresses in white, wears a wreath on her head, carries seven lighted candles and serves the whole family coffee and buns in bed. A popular Christmas custom in Norway is Ringe in Julen (ringing in Christmas). Throughout the country, people ring church bells at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. In Denmark, Christmas dinner includes a rice pudding called Julgrot, which has an almond in it. According to the tradition, whoever gets the almond will have good luck through out the year.

Australia and New Zealand have December in the summers and people celebrate Christmas by going on a beach for a picnic. The nine days before Christmas have a special significance in Mexico. These are called posadas, meaning inns or lodgings. People knock on the door and ask for lodging. They are refused at first and then finally admitted. Children enjoy trying to break the pinata, a brightly decorated paper or clay figure containing sweets and small gifts. It is hung from the ceiling and kids take turns to hit it with a stick while blindfolded.

A relatively small number of Christians live in the countries of Asia and also Africa, so Christmas is not so widely celebrated there. Today, the Christmas celebrations have also become increasingly important to many kinds of businesses. Companies manufacture Christmas ornaments, lights, candles and decorations. Firms also grow Christmans trees, holly, mistletoe and the likes that go with the Christmas celebrations. One thing that has remained same through the ages and is by experienced people around the world is the enthusiasm and the spirit that revolves around the occasion.