Christmas through many eyes

What does Merry Christmas mean? Maybe it is the anticipation of Santa's arrival. Perhaps it is the chance to gather with loved family and dear friends. Is it the food, gifts, lights and decorations, the music or is it the celebration of the birth of Jesus?

Many of us carryon traditions that began long ago in the far-away places that many of our ancestors called home, some of which are shared - including Christmas day.

Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, though it is understood that this was most likely not His actual date of birth. December 25 is the same day ancient Babylonians believe the son of the queen of heaven was born and Egyptians celebrated the birth of the son of Isis, the fertility goddess on December 25.

Giving gifts at Christmas was once a practice only for aristocrats, but advertisements for Christmas presents as a way to honor family relationships began appearing in newsprint in the early 1800s. With the success of Charles Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol," in the early 1900s, those who were not generous enough were likened to that story's spendthrift, Ebenezer Scrooge.

From the simplicity of a paper sack filled with peanuts, an orange and some hard candy to the extravagance of the perfect, must-have gift, presents may have been a part of Christmas from the very beginning.

The three wise men greeted the newborn Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, starting the tradition of gift-giving on the day His birth is celebrated.

The Christmas tree can be seen indoors and out in nations across the world, but what does that really have to do with Christmas?

There are as many theories on the early beginnings of the Christmas tree as there are ancient cultures. Some of those cultures worshipped trees and often decorated them in celebration or for good luck.

One story of the Christmas tree's origins come from eighth century German tribes who worshipped Oak trees. One such group was preparing to sacrifice a young boy when St. Boniface cut the tree down while converting these tribes to Christianity. A fir tree grew up in the roots of the Oak and was offered as a symbol of Christianity for the converted Germans to decorate for Christmas.

A second explanation for the Christmas tree is that church reformer Martin Luther was mesmerized by the twinkling stars he saw through the branches of a fir tree while returning home one winter's night. He decided to recreate the magic he felt by cutting down a small fir tree and decorating it with candles in his home.

How did Santa Claus come to represent Christmas? Why does he have aliases, such as Saint Nicholas and Kriss Kringle? This too began elsewhere and has since been adopted and adapted.

Perhaps Santa Claus began as Saint Nicholas, a bishop famous for giving gifts to children in the fourth century who was celebrated across Europe with feasts. When English colonists began celebrating the feast day of Saint Nicholas, or Sint Nikolaas in Dutch, on Christmas day, his name was changed to Santa Claus because it was easier to pronounce.

Maybe Santa Claus actually comes from the Dutch colonists that settled in America, who are said to have brought the legend of Saint Nicholas with them, as he was known in Holland - Sinterklaas. Once here, Saint Nicholas' name became the American Santa Claus.

As for Santa's other name, Kriss Kringle, that too can chalked up to pronunciation. For centuries German Protestants have given gifts on December 25 in recognition of the birth of the Christ child, Christkindl. Because Christkindl is difficult to say, the name eventually became Kriss Kringle and is used interchangeably with Santa Claus.

Whether it is stocking hung by the chimney with care or caroling for friends and neighbors, our Christmas customs have roots in varied cultures across the globe, which may bring each one of us closer in spirit to all mankind.