12 Christmas traditions that you can not imagine what they mean

All Christmas traditions have deep roots in Christian beliefs. They have been transmitted for centuries from generation to generation and, therefore, it can sometimes happen that, although we practice them regularly, we have forgotten what their true meaning, origin, history and reason for being are.

Put the Christmas tree

The Christmas tree is based on the myth of the tree of life from Norse mythology. This myth was used by Saint Boniface in the 8th century, the evangelizer of Germany, to introduce Christian worship among the peoples of northern Europe. Initially it consisted of a pine or evergreen fir, symbolizing the eternal love of God, adorned with apples, reminiscent of original sin, and candles, representing the light that Christ brought to the world. Nowadays, apples have been replaced by pellets and candles by lights. Tradition indicates that it should be worn during Advent.

Riding the birth

The birth, also called nativity scene, manger or portal, is the representation of the birth of Jesus. The first representations date from the 5th century, although it is considered that one of the most important engines for its popularization was San Francisco de Asís. The goal of birth is to remind people of the humble circumstances in which Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The traditional thing is to put a birth at home with José and María in the center of the scene, witnessing the arrival of Christ.

Send Christmas cards

Christmas cards are a tradition that begins in schools in England, where students were asked to write about Christmas before the winter break. Later, in the 19th century, the cards became popular and began to be used to wish our loved ones a Merry Christmas.

Decorate with Christmas Eve flowers

The poinsettia flower is a plant with carmine red leaves, which was originally used by the Mexicas in Mexico, in rituals as a symbol of purity and new life for dead warriors. But in the 19th century, Joel Robert Poinsett, a prominent American diplomat in Mexico, discovered it and exported it to the United States, where it became popular and spread to the rest of the world as a Christmas ornamental plant, due to the similarity of its colors.

Celebrate the posadas

The posadas are popular festivals that start nine days before Christmas. They consist of a representation of the way of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary looking for a place to stay before the birth of the Child Jesus. The inns are processions where Christmas carols are sung and candles are lit, ending in the house of one of the participants. The celebration can be both family or intimate, or include neighbors and the rest of the community. It is a very popular tradition in Mexico.

Break piñatas

The piñatas arrived in America during the evangelization process. The piñata most used by the friars was the one with seven peaks, representing the seven deadly sins. To break it, it was necessary to use virtue and strength, the only weapons to defeat temptations and thus obtain the rewards (the gifts of God), which were the sweets that were inside. Today, piñatas are used in Mexico during Christmas celebrations to remind us of this lesson.

Sing carols

Christmas carols are Christmas-themed songs. The first ones were composed by the evangelizers of the 5th century to, through music, tell the peasants and shepherds who could not read about the birth of Jesus Christ. Listening to them at Advent is said to help prepare our hearts for the Christmas event.

Go to the pastors

The shepherdesses are theatrical performances that tell the moment when the birth of the Child Jesus is announced to the shepherds, and they come to honor his arrival. Apart from the religious content, they are usually seasoned, too, with humor and satirical allusions to current social or political issues.

Hang socks

The tradition of hanging socks in the fireplace has its origin in a legend of San Nicolás de Bari, who, according to what they say, learned of a very poor man who had no dowry to marry his daughters. Saint Nicholas, then, secretly went into his house one day and put gold coins in the drying socks hanging in the fireplace. Since then, it is said that the gifts that appear on the socks are the ones that Santa Claus authentically puts on.

Eat with family

Celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve with a great family feast, with the typical dishes and drinks of the time, is part of Christian traditions. Making an abundant dinner symbolizes the abundance that Christ brings to our lives with his arrival.

Waiting for the arrival of Santa Claus

Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus, is the character who traditionally brings gifts to children who have behaved well almost everywhere in the world. Its legend originates from that of Saint Nicholas of Bari, a Christian bishop who lived in Anatolia, present-day Turkey, in the 4th century, and who was revered for his miracles and generosity.

Exchange gifts

Exchanging gifts at Christmas is one way to express our love for our loved ones. The tradition, however, can be traced back to Ancient Rome, where gifts were offered to children during the Saturn festivals at the end of the celebrations. Today the tradition of exchanging gifts serves to remember the gift that God gave us in his son Jesus Christ.