ClassX Video Lessons Best Christmas Stories For Kids | Christmas 2019 | How Christmas Started | Santa Claus
Christmas is a joyful time when people decorate trees, share delicious meals, and spend time with their families. But have you ever wondered how these fun traditions started? Let’s dive into the fascinating history of Christmas and its special customs!
In the beginning, Christmas wasn’t celebrated at all! The date of December 25th was actually linked to an ancient festival called Saturnalia, which honored the Roman god Saturn. During this festival, people would feast, give gifts, and decorate trees.
It wasn’t until the time of Roman Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor, that Christmas began to be celebrated on December 25th. He probably chose this date to combine Christian and pagan traditions since people were already celebrating on this day. In 350 A.D., Pope Julius officially declared December 25th as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, marking the start of Christmas as we know it today.
You might have seen the word “Xmas” used instead of Christmas. This comes from the Greek letter “X,” which stands for Christ. So, “Xmas” is just a shorter way of saying Christmas!
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees is believed to have started in 16th-century Germany. There’s a legend about Saint Boniface, an English missionary, who saw pagans about to sacrifice a sacred oak tree. To stop them, he cut down the tree, and a fir tree supposedly grew in its place.
While this story is more of a myth, the practice of decorating trees grew over time. During the Middle Ages, churches used “paradise trees” decorated with apples. Later, candles were added, leading to the modern Christmas tree we know today. The custom became popular outside Germany in 1841 when Queen Victoria of England married a German prince, Albert, who introduced the decorated tree to the royal family.
No Christmas is complete without Santa Claus! Santa is based on Saint Nicholas, a monk known for his kindness. Born in 280 A.D. in what is now Turkey, Saint Nicholas was famous for giving away his wealth to help those in need. One famous story tells how he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery by giving them money.
After his death, the spirit of giving continued in his name, leading to the modern-day Santa Claus. At first, Santa was shown in different colors, but his famous red and white outfit became popular after a television commercial in the 20th century.
Christmas is a wonderful mix of history and tradition, blending Christian beliefs with ancient customs. From the origins of the Christmas tree to the legend of Santa Claus, these elements come together to create a festive season filled with joy, love, and generosity. As we celebrate, let’s remember the true spirit of Christmas and the stories that have shaped this beloved holiday.
Explore the Christmas Tree Tradition: Create your own mini Christmas tree using materials you find around your home or classroom. You can use paper, cardboard, or even small branches from outside. Decorate your tree with handmade ornaments or drawings. As you work, think about why people might have started decorating trees and how this tradition has changed over time. Discuss with your friends or family how your tree is similar or different from the trees described in the article.
Math with Santa’s Gifts: Imagine you are Santa Claus and you have to deliver gifts to 5 different houses. If each house gets 3 gifts, how many gifts do you need in total? Write down your answer and draw a picture of Santa’s sleigh filled with gifts. Then, think about how Saint Nicholas’s story of giving inspired the idea of Santa Claus. How does giving gifts make people feel, and why is it an important part of Christmas?
Investigate the Meaning of “Xmas”: Use the Greek alphabet to write your name. Compare it to how we use the letter “X” in “Xmas” to represent Christ. Why do you think people use symbols or letters from different languages in celebrations? Share your thoughts with your classmates or family and see if they can write their names using the Greek alphabet too!
