Where Did the Traditions of Christmas Come From?

Who first thought of the Christmas tree?

It was the Germans; when they settled in Pennsylvania they kept up their customs, which called for cutting down cypress trees and decorating them with torches and candles. The story goes that Martin Luther began this idea: he was returning home on Christmas Eve, and was dazzled by the beauty of the stars and the gleam of the moon above the green expanse, and it occurred to him to carry this scene home so that his family might enjoy it on that singular night. And so he cut down the tree and bore it to his house. The first tree lit with electricity, in 1882, was in the home of Edward Johnson, one of Edison's associates.

Which country thought of the crèche?

There is no doubt that the idea of the crèche began in France and Spain and among the Christians of Italy; the first true tableau of this scene appeared in an Italian church in the thirteenth century. In it were shown the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the little Child, and the Magi; and at the head of the grotto stood real animals nibbling the grasses. From this first scene many tableaux were copied, to remind the faithful of the birth of Christ.

What does the lighting of lamps in the windows mean?

This is one of the beloved symbols, and the idea was begun by certain simple Christians, who by it bid welcome to the Child Jesus; for they supposed that He wandered lost on that evening, and so they set out the light to guide Him to their homes.

Why do the little ones hang up their stockings?

This symbol came from Sweden and Norway; the little ones were accustomed to setting their wooden shoes outside or near the chimney, as a symbol of peace and security at the coming of the new year. The people of other countries replaced the shoes with stockings. As for the gifts that fill the stockings and shoes, they symbolize the giving of Saint Nicholas. The children's attachment to this hero goes back to his rescue of two girls whose father had put them up for sale in the slave market; and so Santa Claus became, and remains, the symbol of giving and the hero of grown-ups and little ones alike.

It is fair to say that Christmas in America — and its importance and splendor are plain to see — is a cocktail, or blend, of the traditions and customs brought in by the pioneers of the new continent when they emigrated from their homelands.

Where did "Santa Claus" come from?

The Dutch regard Saint Nicholas as their patron, and children look upon him as the hero of one of the stirring old legends; every year he brings them gifts, toys, and sweets. The children did as they pleased with the saint's name, distorting it over the days until it became "Niklaus," and the Spaniards added the word "Santa" in place of "Sint," meaning the saint... Yet the "Santa Claus" of this age, with his red suit and his white beard, bears no kinship to Saint Nicholas, who was a pastor in one of the parishes of Holland.

The Church owes to Saint Francis of Assisi the writing of the simple carols, suited to the understanding of the common people. These carols reached England by way of the acting troupes, and were sung between the acts of the religious plays; they pleased the people, who grew attached to them. Once the worshippers' fervor rose so high that they went out into the public street singing these carols over and over.

The credit for that belongs also to certain English schoolboys... For shortly before Christmas they would write to their parents, adorning the letters with drawings of their own making to show off their skill. This inventive method pleased Mr. Henry Cole, who sent to an artist asking him to draw cards for him to send to his friends; and the first card came onto the market in 1858.