Eastern Shore of Maryland Holiday and Christmas Things To Do
Midnight Madness in St. Michaels, Maryland
Midnight Madness in St. Michaels, Maryland
Christmas in St. Michaels, Maryland - Eastern Shore Holiday Events
History of Christmas Decorations - Christmas Trees, Stockings and More
The practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. From pre-Christian times, people in the Roman Empire brought branches from evergreen plants indoors in the winter. Decorating with greenery was also part of Jewish tradition : "Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. " (Leviticus 23:40)
Christian people incorporated such customs in their developing practices. In the 15th century, it was recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be "decked with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green".[31] The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolise the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.[32]
Nativity scenes are known from 10th-century Rome. They were popularised by Saint Francis of Asissi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe.[33] Many different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources. The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.[34]
A Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, New York City
The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship.[35] The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835[36] and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century[35] though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century.[37][38] From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain.[39] By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree.[40] Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.
In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. It is also common in many parts of the world for town squares and consumer shopping areas to sponsor and display decorations. Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places.[41]
In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels.
In many countries, a representation of the Nativity Scene is very popular and people are encouraged to compete and create the most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom. In some countries, Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5. The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red.[42]
The history of Christmas decorations sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
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