Christmas on the Net - Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions

There are as many Christmas traditions as there are families that celebrate this festive Christian winter holiday. Here is look at some of the most popular traditions and the folklore behind them.

The Christmas Tree

Nothing says Christmas time more than a fragrant young fir tree adorned with twinkling lights, smiling angels and bright colored ornaments. The legend of the Christmas tree can be traced back to the early 8th century, when an English missionary named Saint Boniface interrupted a group of pagan men about to cut down an oak tree to be used for a human sacrifice. In felling the tree, Saint Boniface revealed beneath it a young fir tree. He told the pagans that this sapling, with its branches pointing upward toward Heaven, represented the Holy child.

The legend of Saint Boniface was codified in 1539, when the records of the Cathedral of Strasbourg mention erecting a Christmas tree. During the later half of the 16th century, other churches began erecting Christmas trees -- small fir trees decorated with apples, dates, nuts, and other sweet treats. By the 17th century, the tradition had migrated into people's homes. Today more than 30 million live Christmas trees are sold in America each year.

More Christmas Tree info...

Additional Christmas Traditions

Poinsettias

Poinsettias, with their ruby-colored, star-shaped leaves, are ubiquitous holiday decorations during the Christmas season. More info...

Advent Wreaths & Advent Calendars

Advent wreaths and calendars are an old Protestant custom, which originated in Eastern Germany. More info...

Mistletoe

While the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is a long-standing and Christmas tradition, the mistletoe plant itself is anything but romantic. More info...

Christmas Cards

The tradition of sending Christmas card greetings to friends and family dates back to the Victorian period in England. More info...

Like this article?

Click here to link to this article

Just copy and paste the code below to add this link to your page.

Click here to share this article with friend

Add Comment

Name:
E-Mail:
Location:
Message:

Comments

destinee from United States

19:43 05/16/2009

is there a santa clause in christmas island!!!!!!!!!!!!

sandeep kotian from Indiana, US

06:57 12/24/2008

happy day to all

christian reagan from Texas, US

16:46 12/18/2008

i'm one lump of coal away from a coal mine! LOL! just joking

Gwagala from California, US

16:30 12/18/2008

Christmas on the Net - Christmas Traditions

Santa Claus from Christmas Island

14:35 12/18/2008

U better be a good little boys and girls and yes Ben there is a Santa Claus in Paraguay but he is not as great as moa

john from California, US

04:56 12/18/2008

this page is fantastic"!!!

eram from Montana, US

11:28 12/17/2008

Love X-Mas

Ben dover from Mississippi, US

12:10 12/16/2008

is there a santa claus in paraguay?

Brett from United States

08:27 12/16/2008

Just a little advice your websight would be a lot funner if you had some games.

r.j from Florida, US

17:01 12/14/2008

this was the best story eva =O.

Visit our other holiday celebrations

Your Email
Your Name
Your Friends Email
Your Friends Name
Your Message