THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a time to celebrate the spirit of love and life with traditions like Christmas cards, trees, Santa Claus, gift giving, poinsettias and so much more.

While the Roman Catholics commemorate the December 25th as birth of Jesus Christ, it is controversial whether or not Jesus was actually born on this day.  Some Christmas historians believe he was actually born in the spring.  Regardless, since AD 354 the western world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.

In America, Christmas started in the early 19^th century in Sunday Schools where Christmas celebrations were held.  The first American state to legally recognize Christmas was Alabama in 1836.  By the late 19^th century most states and territories had recognized Christmas.

There are many characters associated with Christmas such as Santa Claus. Christmas historians believe there is no proof St. Nicholas was a real, historical person.  Some historians believe Santa is derived from the Greek God, Poseidon, the Roman God, Neptune and the Teutonic God, Hold Nickar.

In the Christian church there is a fictional life history for St. Nicholas who was given the name Hagios Nikolaos.  The history of Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas helping a poor family. It is said he threw gold though their window since the poor daughters needed wedding dowries. He threw another bag of gold down the chimney where it landed in a stocking by the chimney. It is supposed that this is where the chimney became a part of Santa’s story. Nicholas also had a reputation for treating children well. He gave treats to the children who knew their catechism and were good.

America is where St. Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus.  The dutch word “Sinterklaas” became Santa Claus or St. Nick.  In the early 19^th century, Washington Irving, created a tale of a fat, pip smoking St. Nicholas who rode around New York on a magical horse.  He would slide down chimneys leaving gifts for good kids and switches for naughty kids.

Santa’s look became cemented with the cartoons of Thomas Nast and the Christmas poem written by Dr. Clement Moore, "A Visit from St. Nicholas.”   Nast and Dr. Moore were neighbors.  Over the course of his caeer, Nast drew many fat Santa’s with red checks and a large beard. 

Today, this same Santa can be seen at Christmas time across America.