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The Meaning of Christmas

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Christmas was considered 'pagan,' and therefore England ... We still practice the traditions of gift. giving and sending greetings in the form of ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: The Meaning of Christmas


1
The Meaning of Christmas
  • Deirdre Tavares

2
Back in time
  • Before Christianity, 384 A.D.
  • Pagans celebrated the end of the harvest season,
    according to the Roman calender.
  • This celebration was dedicated to the ancient
    Roman gods. Saturn was the god of the harvest,
    and Mithras was the god of light.
  • Part of the celebration, included preparation of
    special foods, singing, and using greenery for
    decorations.

3
After Christianity
  • In late 300 A.D. when Christianity became the
    religion of the
  • Roman Empire, the practice of gift giving and
    celebration
  • continued until the Reformation of England in the
    1500s.
  • Christmas was considered pagan, and therefore
    England
  • and some of the American colonies banned the
    celebration.
  • But people continued to exchange gifts and it
    became the
  • celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • In most parts of Europe, Christmas is celebrated
    on Dec. 25th
  • although, in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium,
    and
  • Luxemburg, it is celebrated on Dec. 6th, in honor
    of Saint
  • Nicholas aka Santa Claus.

4
The Colors of Green and Red
  • The colors of green and red are symbolic to
    Christmas.
  • Green represents the continuance of life. It is
    the green in
  • new growth that enables life to continue. Red is
    symbolic for
  • blood that Christ shed for the salvation of
    humanity.

5
Yes, Virginia..there really was a Santa Claus
  • Saint Nicholas is believed to have been a
  • bishop, who lived someplace in Asia Minor,
  • possibly Turkey.
  • He is the patron saint of children.
  • He gave money to the poor and needy, and this
    tradition of giving continues today.
  • In some countries, like Germany, Christmas is
    celebrated on Dec. 6th, the anniversary of his
    death.

6
Peace and Goodwill
  • The meaning of Christmas began to change in the
  • 19th century. We still practice the traditions
    of gift
  • giving and sending greetings in the form of
  • Christmas cards. We still gather for the
    Christmas
  • Day feast. Some of us attend midnight mass or
  • services on Christmas Day. The most important
  • place we must celebrate Christmas is in our
    hearts.
  • And we must extend this celebration to others,
    not
  • so much in the act of exchanging gifts. After
    all,
  • love, patience, kindness and forgiveness are
    gifts
  • too.

7
Have yourself a merry Christmas
  • Thank you for viewing my presentation
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