- Stillwater Public Schools
- Cultural Observances, Holidays & Events
Christmas
Each December 25, much of the world celebrates Christmas. This holiday began as a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, who they believe to be the son of God. Most Stillwater students celebrate Christmas to some extent.
As Christianity spread around the world, celebrations of Christmas occurred alongside other ancient festivals, and came to include customs like large gatherings of friends and families, and decorating evergreen trees, which came from the Germanic people in the 1500s. It also came to incorporate the celebration of St. Nicholas, a bishop from Turkey known for his generosity. It is from this celebration that the custom of Christmas stockings began.
For Christians, Christmas celebrations usually include attending church, prayer, religious songs, contemplation of God and Jesus, decorating the home, Christmas trees, nativity sets, gift-giving, large family meals and celebrations with loved ones. These celebrations may vary, or even be nonexistent, depending upon the particular denomination of the people celebrating, and have varied by denomination throughout history.
In 1870, President Grant declared Christmas a federal holiday.
Over the years, Christmas has been embraced by non-Christians as a secular holiday, and Christmas stories have expanded the secular Christmas mythos. Washington Irving, Charles Dickens, and Clement Moore, to name a few, have spread the customs of community celebrations, brought about stories of Christmas ghosts, and told us all more about how Santa Claus gets around the world so fast. Secular celebrations may include any or all of the customs that Christians include.
Many countries around the world have different ways of celebrating Christmas. In India, a mango tree is decorated instead of a fir tree. In Mexico, children break a pinata filled with toys and candy. In Brazil, families participate in summer festivals with fireworks and picnics. Other countries celebrate the secular aspects of the holiday instead of the religious aspects.
To those who celebrate it, we wish you a Merry Christmas!
Learn more about Christmas at https://www.history.com/topics/christmas