Christmas Day

Christmas in North America

December the 25 is know as Christmas Day in North America. December 24 is known as Christmas Eve. The Celebration of Christmas is centered around the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Christmas is the holiday that is most celebrated in North America and often begins at 12:00 A.M. Midnight on December 25. This is when those who are of the Catholic faith have the opportunity to attend Midnight Mass which is a service that often includes the singing of Christmas songs (sometimes by candle light only), communion and a sermon on the events that led up to and the actual birth of Jesus Christ. Protestant churches often have a similar service but they usually are in the evening on Christmas eve. The preparation for the celebration of Christmas often begins around the time of the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated. A discussion of the actual events that are part of a North American Christmas celebration will follow but first, a look at the history of Christmas in North America.

During the early 19th century Christmas as it is now celebrated, began to be celebrated. Author Washington Irving, in 1819, wrote the series of tales known as The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent.. The stories in this work, describe the way Christmas was celebrated in an English manor home. The traditions in his Sketches involve peasants being invited into the Squires home and the two groups (from different socio-economic groups) doing activities that are now considered Christmas traditions in North America.

Prior to the Civil War, there was disagreement between the northern and southern states. Northern states took the opinion that Thanksgiving was an acceptable holiday but felt that the Christmas celebration was sinful. Southern states celebrated Christmas and in 1836, Alabama was the first state to make Christmas a legal holiday, followed by Arkansas and Louisiana in 1838. Following the Civil War, Christmas traditions began to be prevalent in all of the states. Traditions like the Christmas tree and Santa Clause were spread across the states by children’s books. Christmas celebrations were encouraged in Sunday School. The decorating customs were spread by way of Women’s magazines which usually included the instructions for making these decorations.

Since late in the 19th century, the tradition of Christmas has been universally celebrated in all 50 states with such customs as the exchange of gifts that are often placed under the Christmas tree until they are exchanged. Christmas trees that are decorated with lights, ornaments, strings of popcorn/cranberries, tinsel and angels atop them. Manger scenes depicting the Christ child and the wise men and animals present at the time of the birth of Christ, can often be seen in yards. Lights of many kinds also can be seen outlining the doors, rooftops and windows of North American Homes. A traditional Christmas day meal usually consists of ham or turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce and Pumpkin pie.

Some states have traditions all of their own. A huge star is placed on the mountain in Colorado that can be seen for miles around. In Arizona, a Mexican tradition of Los Pasados is followed by some. As part of this custom, participates take on the role of Joseph and Mary looking for a place to stay and form lines at the homes of participating friends and family members and admire the cribs the families have in their Nativity scene.

Christmas in North America is full of long standing traditions that evolve around the celebration of a Savior and quality time with family and friends.