Christmas Traditions – Karácsonyi hagyományok
When was the first Christmas card sent? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Learn the origins of Christmas and fun facts about some of our favorite christmas traditions and symbols.
There are lots of Christmas traditions that are practiced (gyakorolni) by a number of countries all over the world during the holiday season. These traditions can be as diverse (változatos) as the culture and religious practices (vallási gyakorlat) of each and every country in the world.
Read about some of the most common Christmas traditions here:
Origins of Christmas
From the Old English ‘Cristes Mæsse’ ~ meaning the ‘mass of Christ’ ~ the story of Christmas begins with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.
It is believed that Christ was born on the 25th, although the exact (pontos) month is unknown (nem ismert). December was likely chosen so the Catholic Church could compete with (versenyezni) rival (rivális) pagan (pogány) rituals (rituálé) held at that time of year and because of its closeness (közelség) with the winter solstice (napforduló) in the Northern hemisphere (északi félteke), a traditional time of celebration among many ancient cultures.
Santa Claus
The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous (nagylelkű) man, particularly devoted to (elkötelezve) children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe.
His kindness and reputation (hírnév) for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles (csoda) and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint (védőszent) of Russia, where he was known by his red cape (köpeny), flowing white beard, and bishop’s mitre (püspök süveg).
After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas dwindled (csökken), but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolaas was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward (megjutalmazni) good children by placing treats (jutalom) in their shoes. Dutch colonists (gyarmatosító) brought brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.
Christmas Trees
In 16th-century Germany fir trees (erdei fenyő) were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded (díszített) candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religious play depicted (ábrázol) the story of Adam and Eve’s expulsion (kiűzés) from the Garden of Eden (Édenkert).
A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize (szimbolizálni) the Garden of Eden — the Paradise (Paradicsom) Tree. The play ended with the prophecy (jóslat) of a saviour (megváltó) coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.
It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned (díszíteni) trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches (ág) of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching (bevésés) in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.
Mistletoe (Fagyöngy)
Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered (tisztelni) the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.
The ancient (ősi) Celtics (kelták) believed mistletoe to have magical healing (gyógyító) powers and used it as an antidote (ellenméreg) for poison, infertility (terméketlen), and to ward (védeni) of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace (ölelkezni).
Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive (származtat) the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.
Forrás: http://www.allthingschristmas.com/traditions.html
