Christmas

Christmas is celebrated across most of the countries around the world on 25th December every year to mark the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24. In many countries, the day following Christmas Day is called 'Boxing Day'. This word derived from the traditional custom which started long time back in the Middle Ages around 800 years ago. That was the time when churces would open their 'Alms Boxes' (boxes in which people had placed gifts of money and donations) and distribute the contents to poor and needy people in the neighbourhood on the day after Christmas. The tradition of giving gifts to delivery workers, children continues today. Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes, Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time.

Christmas cards
There is acustom of sending christmas cards during christmas to friends and relatives. This custom started in Britain in 1840 when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began and is followed among various communities in many countries. Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures - Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often the jokes, emotional copy writing, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.

Santa Claus
'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures of Santa Claus can be seen evrywhere during the christmas celebration as that of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are told that he brings them gifts the night before Christmas. In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree. In shops or at children's parties, someone will dress up as Father Christmas and give small presents to children, or ask them what gifts they want for Christmas. Christmas can be a time of magic and excitement for children.

Who was Father Christmas or Santa Claus?
Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was very shy, and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings.