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可否簡短些呢?-_-"
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2007-12-19 5:08 am
Celebrating Christmas: A Visit With St. Nicholas Birth of Legend
Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, the Nativity of the babe in the manger whom Christians believe was the Son of the God. Indeed, the very word Christmas means “Christ festival”. Yet there can be little doubt that for many is Santa Claus-not Jesus-Who is the human face of Christmas. In fact, it is fair to say that in much of the world, Santa is better know that the Christ who give his name to the holiday. The truth is that like the Christmas story itself, the story of St. Nicholas is a composite of history, myth, and legend. According to tradition, Nicholas was born in Asia Minor (Modern-day Turdey) in about A.D.270.When young, traveled to Palestine and Egypt. Not long afterward, he becomes a bishop. During the Roman emperor Diocletian’s bloody persecution of Christmas in 303 , Nicholas was imprisoned. However, when Constantine the Great became emperor in 306 , he legalized Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire .Nicholas was freed. The scribes tell us that Nicholas’ prayers and leadership during the great tribulation led many to be Christmas. Nicholas continued to serve as bishop for many years. On December 6,343,Nicholas the man died, and St. Nicholas the legend was born.
A legend transformed
During his lifetime, Nicholas’ reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to stories of miracles he performed for the poor, the weak-and child. After his death, devotion to Nicholas extended to all parts of Europe. His feast day was celebrated on December 6, but his reputation as a gift-giver latter became attached to the celebration of Christmas on December 25. After the Reformation in the 16th century, Nicholas’ cult disappeared in most protestant countries of Europe. But his legend was united with old Nucleic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. In England, he became know as Father Christmas. But in Holland, St. Nicholas’ name and reputation persisted as “Sinter lass". In the 17th century, Dutch colonists took this tradition with them to America. Latter, “Sinter lass, was adopted by the English-speaking majority as “Santa Claus”. The resulting image of a “jolly old elf” diving a slewing with “eight tiny reindeer” crystallized in the 19th century. That was when clement Moore wrote the now-famous poem “A Visit Form St. Nick.” And the red-and-white suit? That was created by a Coca-Coca adman in the 1930s. Although greatly commercialized, the modern Santa Claus still embodies St. Nicholas’ generosity and love for children. And for some, he still points to the Nativity of the babe in the manger, and reminds us of the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, the Nativity of the babe in the manger whom Christians believe was the Son of the God. Indeed, the very word Christmas means “Christ festival”. Yet there can be little doubt that for many is Santa Claus-not Jesus-Who is the human face of Christmas. In fact, it is fair to say that in much of the world, Santa is better know that the Christ who give his name to the holiday. The truth is that like the Christmas story itself, the story of St. Nicholas is a composite of history, myth, and legend. According to tradition, Nicholas was born in Asia Minor (Modern-day Turdey) in about A.D.270.When young, traveled to Palestine and Egypt. Not long afterward, he becomes a bishop. During the Roman emperor Diocletian’s bloody persecution of Christmas in 303 , Nicholas was imprisoned. However, when Constantine the Great became emperor in 306 , he legalized Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire .Nicholas was freed. The scribes tell us that Nicholas’ prayers and leadership during the great tribulation led many to be Christmas. Nicholas continued to serve as bishop for many years. On December 6,343,Nicholas the man died, and St. Nicholas the legend was born.
A legend transformed
During his lifetime, Nicholas’ reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to stories of miracles he performed for the poor, the weak-and child. After his death, devotion to Nicholas extended to all parts of Europe. His feast day was celebrated on December 6, but his reputation as a gift-giver latter became attached to the celebration of Christmas on December 25. After the Reformation in the 16th century, Nicholas’ cult disappeared in most protestant countries of Europe. But his legend was united with old Nucleic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. In England, he became know as Father Christmas. But in Holland, St. Nicholas’ name and reputation persisted as “Sinter lass". In the 17th century, Dutch colonists took this tradition with them to America. Latter, “Sinter lass, was adopted by the English-speaking majority as “Santa Claus”. The resulting image of a “jolly old elf” diving a slewing with “eight tiny reindeer” crystallized in the 19th century. That was when clement Moore wrote the now-famous poem “A Visit Form St. Nick.” And the red-and-white suit? That was created by a Coca-Coca adman in the 1930s. Although greatly commercialized, the modern Santa Claus still embodies St. Nicholas’ generosity and love for children. And for some, he still points to the Nativity of the babe in the manger, and reminds us of the reason we celebrate Christmas.
2007-12-15 11:38 pm
Christmas Eve
圖片參考：http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Julaftonen_av_Carl_Larsson_1904.jpg/350px-Julaftonen_av_Carl_Larsson_1904.jpg
Julaftonen (The Christmas Eve), a watercolor painted 1904-05 by Carl Larsson (1853-1919)
Christmas Eve, on December 24, is the day before Christmas Day, the celebrated birthday of Jesus Christ.
Religious observance
In the Western Christian Churches, the Christmas season liturgically begins on Christmas Eve. For many Western European religions, Saint Nicolas (Santa) is the focus of Christmas. The Mass of the Vigil is said in the late afternoon or early evening hours of December 24. The Christmas season continues through until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
Many Roman Catholics and Anglicans traditionally celebrate a midnight Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve, which is held in churches throughout the world, marking the beginning of Christmas Day. A popular joke is to ask what time Midnight Mass starts, but in recent years some churches have started their "Midnight" Mass as early as 7 P.M. Other Catholic churches hold a candlelight service which is typically held earlier in the evening. These often feature dramatizations of the Nativity. Similar worship services are held in many Protestant churches on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day.
In the early evening, many Methodists come to their church to celebrate Holy Communion with their families. The mood is very solemn, and often the only visible light is the Advent Wreath, and the candles upon the Lord's Table.
The Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve has established itself as one of the signs that Christmas has begun in the United Kingdom. It is broadcast to many parts of the world via the BBC World Service.
Meals
Large meals are common, often with turkey or ham as the main item. A traditional dish in Germany is roasted goose. In Czech Republic and Slovakia it is a fish soup and breaded roasted carp with potato salad. Italian Catholics eat seven types of seafood. In some parts of Eastern Europe such as Poland and Lithuania, a traditional meatless 12-dishes Christmas Eve Supper is served before opening gifts. Cubans roast a pig.
Gift giving
It is also seen as the night when Santa Claus or his international variants, make their rounds giving gifts to good children. In the Czech Republic, where St. Nicholas (sv. Mikuláš) gave his sweet gifts already more than two weeks earlier, is Ježíšek, that is Child Jesus or also known to most as Christkind, the Christmas gift-giver. In Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Iceland, Argentina, Poland, Portugal and Quebec, Kazakhstan Christmas presents are opened on the evening of the 24th, while in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English Canada, South Africa, and Australia mostly on the morning of Christmas Day. In Finland Joulupukki personally meets children and gives presents in the evening of Christmas Eve. In most parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland Christmas presents are opened in the evening of December 24th ('Bescherung') and are brought by Christkind or Christchild, who leaves the gifts but is never seen doing so. In Spain gifts are traditionally opened on the morning of January 6, Epiphany day ("Día de Los Reyes"), though in some other countries, like Argentina and Uruguay people received presents both around Christmas and on the morning of Epiphany day; there are also some countries, like the rest of Latin America, where people stay awake until midnight, when they open the presents.
圖片參考：http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Julaftonen_av_Carl_Larsson_1904.jpg/350px-Julaftonen_av_Carl_Larsson_1904.jpg
Julaftonen (The Christmas Eve), a watercolor painted 1904-05 by Carl Larsson (1853-1919)
Christmas Eve, on December 24, is the day before Christmas Day, the celebrated birthday of Jesus Christ.
Religious observance
In the Western Christian Churches, the Christmas season liturgically begins on Christmas Eve. For many Western European religions, Saint Nicolas (Santa) is the focus of Christmas. The Mass of the Vigil is said in the late afternoon or early evening hours of December 24. The Christmas season continues through until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
Many Roman Catholics and Anglicans traditionally celebrate a midnight Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve, which is held in churches throughout the world, marking the beginning of Christmas Day. A popular joke is to ask what time Midnight Mass starts, but in recent years some churches have started their "Midnight" Mass as early as 7 P.M. Other Catholic churches hold a candlelight service which is typically held earlier in the evening. These often feature dramatizations of the Nativity. Similar worship services are held in many Protestant churches on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day.
In the early evening, many Methodists come to their church to celebrate Holy Communion with their families. The mood is very solemn, and often the only visible light is the Advent Wreath, and the candles upon the Lord's Table.
The Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge on Christmas Eve has established itself as one of the signs that Christmas has begun in the United Kingdom. It is broadcast to many parts of the world via the BBC World Service.
Meals
Large meals are common, often with turkey or ham as the main item. A traditional dish in Germany is roasted goose. In Czech Republic and Slovakia it is a fish soup and breaded roasted carp with potato salad. Italian Catholics eat seven types of seafood. In some parts of Eastern Europe such as Poland and Lithuania, a traditional meatless 12-dishes Christmas Eve Supper is served before opening gifts. Cubans roast a pig.
Gift giving
It is also seen as the night when Santa Claus or his international variants, make their rounds giving gifts to good children. In the Czech Republic, where St. Nicholas (sv. Mikuláš) gave his sweet gifts already more than two weeks earlier, is Ježíšek, that is Child Jesus or also known to most as Christkind, the Christmas gift-giver. In Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Iceland, Argentina, Poland, Portugal and Quebec, Kazakhstan Christmas presents are opened on the evening of the 24th, while in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, English Canada, South Africa, and Australia mostly on the morning of Christmas Day. In Finland Joulupukki personally meets children and gives presents in the evening of Christmas Eve. In most parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland Christmas presents are opened in the evening of December 24th ('Bescherung') and are brought by Christkind or Christchild, who leaves the gifts but is never seen doing so. In Spain gifts are traditionally opened on the morning of January 6, Epiphany day ("Día de Los Reyes"), though in some other countries, like Argentina and Uruguay people received presents both around Christmas and on the morning of Epiphany day; there are also some countries, like the rest of Latin America, where people stay awake until midnight, when they open the presents.
2007-12-15 11:37 pm
Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth. Christmas festivities often combine the commemoration of Jesus' birth with various secular customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals.
In most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. Christmas Eve is the preceding day, December 24. In the United Kingdom and many countries of the Commonwealth, Boxing Day is the following day, December 26. In Catholic countries, Saint Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen is December 26. The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6. Eastern Orthodox Churches that still use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on the Julian version of 25 December, which is January 7 on the more widely used Gregorian calendar, because the two calendars are now 13 days apart.
The word "Christmas" originated as a contraction of "Christ's mass." It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.[1] In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-sixteenth century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.[2] Hence, "Xmas" is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.
After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol,[1] the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived.[3]
The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. Around the 12th century, the remnants of the former Saturnalian traditions of the Romans were transferred to the Twelve Days of Christmas (26 December – 6 January). Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival, incorporating ivy, holly, and other evergreens, as well as gift-giving.
Modern traditions have come to include the display of Nativity scenes, Holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill and peace.
In most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. Christmas Eve is the preceding day, December 24. In the United Kingdom and many countries of the Commonwealth, Boxing Day is the following day, December 26. In Catholic countries, Saint Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen is December 26. The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6. Eastern Orthodox Churches that still use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on the Julian version of 25 December, which is January 7 on the more widely used Gregorian calendar, because the two calendars are now 13 days apart.
The word "Christmas" originated as a contraction of "Christ's mass." It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.[1] In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-sixteenth century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.[2] Hence, "Xmas" is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.
After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol,[1] the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived.[3]
The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. Around the 12th century, the remnants of the former Saturnalian traditions of the Romans were transferred to the Twelve Days of Christmas (26 December – 6 January). Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival, incorporating ivy, holly, and other evergreens, as well as gift-giving.
Modern traditions have come to include the display of Nativity scenes, Holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill and peace.
收錄日期: 2021-04-25 14:45:24
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