Christmas is the most celebrated holiday. It is a Christian festival observed by both Christians and non-Christians. Christmas is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, exchange gifts, and some admire a popular figure named Santa Claus. The term Christmas means “mass on Christ’s day.” In the 9th century, the holiday began to be widely celebrated with a specific worship service. Roman Catholic churches celebrate the first Christmas mass at midnight while Protestant churches hold Christmas candlelight services on the evening of Christmas Eve. These services include scripture readings and Christmas carols. After we have opened all our gifts and eaten supper on Christmas Eve, my family and I attend Candlelight Service at our family church, and it has always been a tradition to go every year. Palestine High School alum, MaryAnn Catt says, “When all the candles are lit and everyone is singing Silent Night, I always feel so close to God. It’s such an amazing, spirited service!”

A popular tradition during Christmas time is putting up a Christmas tree, and this has been celebrated for hundreds of years. People decorate the branches with their choice of ornaments, strung popcorn, ribbons, tinsel, crafts, lights, and sometimes even candy. The tradition originally started in Germany in the 16th century when Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. If they could not afford a tree, people would build pyramids made out of wood and decorated them with candles and evergreens. Lighted candles were first added to the Christmas tree by a Protestant reformer named Martin Luther. When walking home after a sermon, he admired the bright stars twinkling in the evergreens. He wanted to recreate the scene for his family so he brought a tree into his home and wired lit candles to the branches. Today, most people decorate their tree with a planned theme of a specific color, scene, or ornaments passed down from generation to generation. Since my childhood, my mother and I have always had a Disney themed Christmas tree. Last year we decided we collected so many Disney character ornaments that there was no room left on the tree and we were worried it might tip over! We agreed to just have a red and gold themed Christmas tree, and it still looks very elegant and gorgeous. My mother, Pam, says “I miss the Disney tree, but I still love this one.”

Other popular Christmas traditions and customs include caroling and poinsettias. Carols were first sung thousands of years ago in Europe, but they were not Christmas Carols. These carols were pagan songs. They were sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations while people danced around stoned circles. December 22nd is the Winter Solstice, but is most commonly known as the shortest day of the year. The pagan solstice celebrations were taken over by early Christians and gave people Christian songs to sing. The earliest song was written in 129 in Rome and was sung at a Christmas service. Soon after, many composers all over Europe began to write Christmas Carols. However, these carols were written in Latin and not many people could understand the language. By the Middle Ages, most people had lost interest in celebrating Christmas. In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi started Nativity Plays in Italy. People in these plays sang songs that told a story. The carols were sung in a language the audience could understand and quickly spread all over Europe. In years past, my church youth group would travel around town and out to the country to sing Christmas carols to people. Although it was always rather cold, we all had a good time. 

My family traditions also include going to my cousin’s house on Christmas Eve to open presents and eat either chili or oyster soup, along with side dishes. After supper, we attend the candlelight service at our family church. On Christmas Day, my mom and I go to her side of the family in Flat Rock to eat fish and french fries for lunch, and open our Secret Santa gifts. I love spending time with my family because I always feel so connected to them, especially this time of year. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!