Read The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas: The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas for Free Online
Authors: David McLaughlan
favorite and much-anticipated part of the festive season.
Where?
The scene depicted in countless Christmas pageants took place in Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem is the city referred to in the song “Once in Royal David’s City.” It was the birthplace of King David.
Frances of Assisi’s living Nativity took place in a cave near Greccio in Italy, perhaps inspired by some traditions that say the birth took place in a cave outside Bethlehem rather than in a stable.
Modern Christmas pageants might be held in community halls, churches, or schools. Larger sponsored events might be held in public areas. But those who believe will find a way and a place to celebrate the event, wherever they might be.
When?
No one knows for sure when the Nativity occurred, but common consent has it being in the first year AD. It may have been a few years before or several years after.
The live Nativity staged by Francis of Assisi took place in 1223. During the next century the tradition spread so that almost every church in Italy had one.
Modern pageants are held in December, but dates will depend on “earthly” factors such as venue availability. The most emotionally evocative date is, of course, Christmas Day, but, with most people spending that day with their families, the last opportunity for a pageant is often Christmas Eve.
Why?
Children learn through play, and they love playacting. So pretending to be shepherds, Wise Men, Mary, and Joseph is surely the ideal way of learning about the miraculous events of so long ago.
Those who already know the story offer their pageants as a tribute of love and a way of keeping the story alive in people’s memories. As well as providing an entertaining show, the organizers usually hope the occasion plants a seed of belief in the minds of some who have never considered faith before.
Why did those real-life characters enact the first-ever Christmas pageant? For nothing less than the salvation of all mankind!
17
Family Gatherings
Who?
When God came down to earth, He could have come in glory, riding clouds and flashing lightning. He could have walked into the most opulent palace in the world and declared it His. Who would have argued? Instead He appeared in a stable and entrusted Himself to—a family! Then that family had an odd assortment of visitors popping in. So, you see, right from the very first time, family gatherings have always been at the heart of Christmas.
When you think that God is our Father, we are His children, and He came to visit us, what could be more beautifully appropriate than family gatherings at Christmas?
What?
Family is what you make it. The Holy Family was not really all that conventional. Mary was probably in her teens; Joseph may have been a much older man. She carried a child that not only wasn’t his but also was God’s! And they both talked to angels!
By comparison even the most unusual of modern families seems quite ordinary. If you are lucky enough to have a “conventional” family, appreciate it, and spread the blessing. If you aren’t, then remember, a family is where love is, and you can make one of your own by putting love where there was none.
Where?
That “First Family” of Christianity spent the first Christmas in Bethlehem, a town about eight miles from Jerusalem and with an illustrious history. Sometimes called Ephrata, Bethlehem is referred to frequently throughout the Old Testament.
But their gathering didn’t take place in a nice, comfortable home, or even in an uncomfortable one—it happened in a stable! So it doesn’t really matter if your family gathering takes place in a beautiful house with its own grounds or in a trailer or in a fast-food restaurant. Jesus has already proven that He doesn’t mind about the location, just so long as you remember to invite Him along!
When?
Scholars aren’t really sure when Joseph and Mary became “Mommy” and “Daddy.”
Where?
The scene depicted in countless Christmas pageants took place in Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem is the city referred to in the song “Once in Royal David’s City.” It was the birthplace of King David.
Frances of Assisi’s living Nativity took place in a cave near Greccio in Italy, perhaps inspired by some traditions that say the birth took place in a cave outside Bethlehem rather than in a stable.
Modern Christmas pageants might be held in community halls, churches, or schools. Larger sponsored events might be held in public areas. But those who believe will find a way and a place to celebrate the event, wherever they might be.
When?
No one knows for sure when the Nativity occurred, but common consent has it being in the first year AD. It may have been a few years before or several years after.
The live Nativity staged by Francis of Assisi took place in 1223. During the next century the tradition spread so that almost every church in Italy had one.
Modern pageants are held in December, but dates will depend on “earthly” factors such as venue availability. The most emotionally evocative date is, of course, Christmas Day, but, with most people spending that day with their families, the last opportunity for a pageant is often Christmas Eve.
Why?
Children learn through play, and they love playacting. So pretending to be shepherds, Wise Men, Mary, and Joseph is surely the ideal way of learning about the miraculous events of so long ago.
Those who already know the story offer their pageants as a tribute of love and a way of keeping the story alive in people’s memories. As well as providing an entertaining show, the organizers usually hope the occasion plants a seed of belief in the minds of some who have never considered faith before.
Why did those real-life characters enact the first-ever Christmas pageant? For nothing less than the salvation of all mankind!
17
Family Gatherings
Who?
When God came down to earth, He could have come in glory, riding clouds and flashing lightning. He could have walked into the most opulent palace in the world and declared it His. Who would have argued? Instead He appeared in a stable and entrusted Himself to—a family! Then that family had an odd assortment of visitors popping in. So, you see, right from the very first time, family gatherings have always been at the heart of Christmas.
When you think that God is our Father, we are His children, and He came to visit us, what could be more beautifully appropriate than family gatherings at Christmas?
What?
Family is what you make it. The Holy Family was not really all that conventional. Mary was probably in her teens; Joseph may have been a much older man. She carried a child that not only wasn’t his but also was God’s! And they both talked to angels!
By comparison even the most unusual of modern families seems quite ordinary. If you are lucky enough to have a “conventional” family, appreciate it, and spread the blessing. If you aren’t, then remember, a family is where love is, and you can make one of your own by putting love where there was none.
Where?
That “First Family” of Christianity spent the first Christmas in Bethlehem, a town about eight miles from Jerusalem and with an illustrious history. Sometimes called Ephrata, Bethlehem is referred to frequently throughout the Old Testament.
But their gathering didn’t take place in a nice, comfortable home, or even in an uncomfortable one—it happened in a stable! So it doesn’t really matter if your family gathering takes place in a beautiful house with its own grounds or in a trailer or in a fast-food restaurant. Jesus has already proven that He doesn’t mind about the location, just so long as you remember to invite Him along!
When?
Scholars aren’t really sure when Joseph and Mary became “Mommy” and “Daddy.”
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