Category: Culture Articles

The Bahai New Year is called Naw Ruz. Naw Ruz is one of the nine Holy days of Bahai community. The event takes place in the VernalEquinox, on 21st March. It also marks the on set of Spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. The celebration of Naw Ruz also indicates spiritual growth and regeneration.

Presently, the Bahais are a popular independent religion across the world. They believe in one God, who has sent His message to people through His Messengers in different times. These Messengers include Buddha, Zoroaster, Moses, Christ and Mohammed. Baha’is belive that the Messengers for this time are the Bab and Baha’u’llah, who have brought the essential message of unity of mankind.

The origin of Naw Ruz is quite interesting. According to the Badi calendar, it is Yamaullah or the Day of God. Naw Ruz is also called Bab or the Day Of Point. It is also significant, for its association with the promised Messenger of Bab, whom God will make manifest.

The Festivities of Naw Ruz

Bahais go through nineteen day fast before Naw Ruz. On the bright morning of the Naw Ruz they break their fast.

The nineteen-day fasting is broken with a huge feasting. Baha’is all over the world celebrate Naw Ruz according to local customs. Iranian Baha’is usually celebrate with the customs of Persian New Year such as the Seven S’s and symbolic decorations used in Norouz, while in Western countries, they usually celebrate with a potluck dinner.

On the day of Naw Ruz people do not go to work. They pray and celebrate for the whole day. The Naw Ruz festivities are full of pomp and pageantry and it culminates with a grand dinner. There is a lot of music and dancing on Naw Ruz as both of these are seen as encouraged arts in the Baha’i Fath. It is also a season of sharing greetings and gift.

The origins of Fathers Day go back to the early 20th century when a little girl was listening to a sermon about Mothers Day and since she was raised by her father when her mother passed away she thought about a day to honor her father and show him how much she loved him. The first Father’s Day celebration was in the state of Washington and after a few years a Fathers Day committee got together in NY and after years of trying to make the day a national holiday, it finally happened when congress recognized the Day and then Nixon made Fathers Day the third Sunday in June of every year a nationally observed holiday. Calvin Coolidge had mentioned making it a national holiday years before this but it was never made official.

Nowadays people celebrate the day by giving Fathers Day gifts to their dads and spending the day with them. This holiday means a lot to the Fathers of the world and many of them enjoy many different things. There are many great gifts that you can buy for your Father; if he is a wine drinker you could buy him a nice wine gift basket. Perhaps your father likes a good dinner and a movie, so you could take him out to celebrate the special day with him for a nice dinner and movie of his choosing. Many people make it a whole family occasion and have a nice Father’s Day dinner. There are many other great things you can do year round to show your Father how much you care about him and appreciate all he has done for you throughout your entire life.

The happy family festival, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States, Canada and many other countries. This day observes the feast of the Pilgrim Colonists and the Wampanoag members at Plymouth in 1621. Thanksgiving Day is an annual single-day holiday for offering thanks for what one receives at the end of the harvest season.

It is a special day of thanking God for His blessings and also thanking the loved ones for their support and love. The best part of the festival is feasting with one s family. In the US, the day falls on the Fourth Thursday of November, whereas in Canada, the celebration occurs in the second Monday of October.

Origin of Thanksgiving in the US

In Texas, the town El Paso is known to have the first Thanksgiving Day in the US. Back then it was not a harvest celebration. The first Thanksgiving mass took place in April 30, 1598 in North America.

The Pilgrims expressed their gratefulness to Squanto, as without the help of this Native American, it would not be possible for them to grow corn and catch eel. Squanto was also their interpreter. However, at that time in 1621, this was not a Thanksgiving observance; it was more of a day to celebrate their first harvest.

Thanksgiving in Canada

The Thanksgiving is a three-day weekend in Canada. This liturgical celebration is related to the continental European and the English Harvest festival. The festivities call for adorning the Churches with corn, pumpkins, cornucopias, wheat sheaves and other harvest items. The Canadians take the Thanksgiving meal on any day of the three-day weekend. This holiday is more of a great time for outdoor activities, like fishing, hunting, hiking and family getaways, rather than a family occasion among the French Canadians.

The Customs

The Thanksgiving Day customs include praying to God in homes and Churches, thanking Him for His blessings. Feasting with one s family is an integral part of the festival; it can be a great experience to enjoy roasted turkey with the family.

It is a day for sending messages to the dear ones and expressing gratitude for them through Thanksgiving cards. People also decorate their homes with fresh flowers, wreathes and dried flowers. The tables are decorated with antique silver cutlery and Chinaware.

The Thanksgiving Food

The US serves a traditional spread of meals on Thanksgiving Day. The predominant item on the food list is turkey and that is why this day is also referred to as the Turkey Day . The other favorite food items are sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing the mashed potatoes with gravy, pumpkin pie, the Indian corn and other harvest vegetables.

The Thanksgiving Games

A popular tradition of Thanksgiving Day is watching NFL football. The traditional game that took place between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions still continues.

The Parades

When President Lincoln declared the Thanksgiving Day to be an official holiday, the parades began. It is a way of revealing the country s discipline and military strength. Today, parades are coupled with celebrations and musical shows on the Thanksgiving Day.

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holyday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The actual date of Christ s birth is not known and even the New Testament does not give a specific date. Back in 350 A.D., Pope Julius I declared December 25 as the official date for celebrating Christmas. This might have something to do with the pagan celebrations in the winter solstice, wherein December 25 was celebrated as the date of the birth of the Unconquerable Sun .

The name Christmas derives from the Old English word Cristes M sse meaning the mass of Christ .

Christmas Traditions

Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas for the length of the Christmas season which starts on the Christmas Eve when Jesus was born and ends on January 6 – the day the Three Wise Men visited him with gifts.

Initially, however, the declaration of the birth-date of Jesus Christ did not call for feasting or celebration. The early converts wanted it to be a solemn religious occasion in opposition to the pagan concept of merry-making and revelry. The earliest reference of Christmas traditions occurs in the Calendar of Filocalus – a manuscript compiled in Rome in 354.

Present day Christmas traditions involve family get-togethers, exchange of gifts and cards, good food and a lot of hilarity. Christmas carols, Christmas tree and Santa Claus are central to Christmas celebrations.

Ceremony

Ceremony, so to say, is rather simple on the Christmas Day. Religious services are held in Churches until late in the midnight with followers of the faith singing carols. Re-enactment of the Nativity scenes may sometimes be a part of the ceremony.

Decorations

Being a colorful festivity, it also includes tasteful decorations with bright hues like red, blue, green, white, silver and gold playing prominent part in it. Lights, both electric lights and candles, have always been a part of Christmas traditions.

Christmas trees are decorated with candies and cookies, lights and small trinkets; gift-boxes are tied to the Christmas tree. Other decorations include on this holyday display of Nativity scenes following tradition. Houses are also decorated with floral wreaths.

Interesting Christmas Traditions Anecdotes

In the year 1841, Prince Albert, the German husband of the British Monarch Victoria, brought the first Christmas tree in England.

America had its first Christmas tree a year later in 1842, with the professor of Greek at the College of William and Mary, Dr. Charles Frederick Minnegerode, introducing the Christmas tree in Williamsburg, Virginia, America.

The invention of electricity and the use of electrical lights to decorate Christmas trees popularized the Christmas tree.

The artificial Christmas tree has come a long way with the passage of time, thanks to the technological advancement of manufacturing crafts. These wonderful recreations of woodland splendor are very different in a whole lot of ways than Christmas trees in the previous times. Truth be told, a company that manufactured brushes took to fabricating the very first artificial Christmas tree. Now, things have changed. There is no lack of materials that decorates a modern day Christmas tree, today.

Artificial trees in comparison to real trees are far more suitable. Not just that they do not even punch a hole in your pocket. You will never run short of variety while fishing for your own artificial Christmas tree. They come in a wide range of colors and species and not to mention the different lights adorning them. And the best part is that once the artificial Christmas tree has played its part you can disassemble and store it for the next year.

Finding out what your Christmas tree is made up of is vital, especially on safety issues. A Christmas tree with plastic needles is something you will want to do away with choking hazards on part of your pets or children. And what about the trees that have ornaments fixed to it? They are still better off than otherwise because children do have natural knack of pulling them off to say the least.

How about buying advantages out of a pre-lit Christmas tree. In the late 1970’s the first pre-lit Christmas trees came to the front. They had a base that turn around, which gave the impression of light dancing by the side of the branches of the tree. You can still avail this kind of retro color wheels if you are so into it. There is altogether a different scenario with the modern pre-lit Christmas trees that are either made of fiber optics or with customary Christmas light bulbs. Both the above-mentioned lightings are simply stunning while the latter also comes at an affordable price.

White Christmas trees are a throwback to the 70’s and they come with fiber optic lighting and not to mention pre decorations with colorful Christmas balls. Another option that lies with you is the very popular fire resistant tinsel trees. When it comes to ordering a Christmas tree, place your order as early as 6 weeks before the Christmas season.

Artificial Christmas trees are gaining popularity everyday. These trees are not only soaked in a spectrum of colors but also come in materials like PVC, vinyl and tinsel. The younger generation prefers the slender artificial trees bathed in wild colors. Speaking of the trendy colors, the ones that come to mind are the red and white. And there is nothing like the pine scent of a fresh cut tree. With it your artificial Christmas tree will truly come alive.

As you look into the evolution of the artificial Christmas tree you will notice a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors, patterns, shapes and textures.

Christmas is a universal vibrant episode geared with the most loved eternal symbol of the event, your dear Santa Claus. Santa Clause is the traditional gift giver who lavishes gift on children on Christmas Eve.

The Origin

Today s Santa Clause is derived from a figure of a Dutch folk tale. This tale tells the story of the real Santa Claus, St Nicholas, a bishop from Turkey who bestowed presents on the poor people. Thus was born the legendary figure of Sinterklaas and your favorite Santa Clause is the result of its American mispronunciation.

But the lovely pictures of Santa wearing the red coat, the fur boots having a long flowing white beard is derived from the Russian figure Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost .

Who Is Santa Clause?

Santa Clause is a happy, kind-hearted and pot-bellied man who wears spectacles and lives with his wife Mrs. Clause and the elves. These elves make toys. On the Eve of Christmas, Santa Clause visits the houses of the village in his sleigh pulled by flying reindeers. He enters the houses through the chimneys and goes out through the fireplaces.

Santa s Home

Nobody really knows the real address of Santa Clause. Some people say that he lives in northern Canada and according to some he lives in the North Pole. Some other guesses place the residence of Santa in Dalecarlia in Sweden, in Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland and in Greenland. L. Frank Baum thinks the real address of the snowy village of Santa Clause is The Laughing Valley of Hohaho.

In Christmas, Santa Claus Laughs

The laughter of Santa Clause, the booming ho ho ho is the life breath of any Christmas party. This sonorous laughter sprouts from the merry round belly of Santa, as written in the traditional Christian poem; A Visit from St. Nicholas which says that Santa has … a little round belly
That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly

The Reindeer Episode In Santa s Life

Traditionally there are eight reindeers that pulls the sleigh of Santa Clause, namely Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner and Blitzen. These names are derived from Clement C Moore s poem The Night Before Christmas .

Santa s ninth reindeer known as Rudolph, the Red-nosed one was formed in 1939 for the Montgomery Ward and quickly became famous.

Today the lovable Santa Claus, ready with bountiful gifts, has become a part and parcel of Christmas celebrations worldwide.

The day before Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus Christ is Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve traditions on December 24th forms a part of the entire Christmas season. For setting up and adorning the Christmas tree, the day of the Christmas Eve is the traditional day, though the trees have been set up for weeks before Christmas Day.

Nearly all countries keep Christmas Eve a shortened business day with financial markets closing by early noon. It is the formal day for adorning the homes and churches during the Christmas season.

For the western Christian Churches, the liturgical season of Christmas virtually begins on Christmas Eve. Many Christmas Eve traditions of Catholic Churches throughout the world celebrate their midnight mass on Christmas Eve, which marks the beginning of the Christmas Day.

Decorations

Christmas wouldn’t be christmas without decorations! Nowadays you can find more things imaginable to show your spirit for the holiday. There are several options for lighting your tree and home. There is an unending amount of Christmas tree decorations and ornaments as well. You can find holiday wallpaper, wrapping paper and lawn ornaments in just about any store selling Christmas products. With the amount of products available it’s not hard to create your own unique look for your home.

The Christmas Eve Food

Turkey or ham mainly dominates the food list as part of typical Christmas Eve traditions. Roasted goose is the traditional dish in Germany during this holiday. However, the people of Poland and Lithuania serve a traditional spread of 12 meatless dishes as part of their Christmas Eve traditions before unfastening the gifts. On the other hand, in Spain it is popular to start the meal with a seafood dish and then move onto some hot homemade soup.

The Gifts From Santa Claus

Christmas Eve is also the night when children long for gifts from Santa Claus. They hang up stockings for Santa Claus to tuck their gifts into. They also leave mince pies as a treat for Santa Claus and carrot for the reindeers. Their stockings are supposed to be filled if they have been good children.

The gifts are opened at different times in different countries. In the United States and United Kingdom the gifts are opened on the Christmas Day morning, whereas Germany opens its gifts on the evening of Christmas Eve. Latin America chooses to keep awake till midnight for opening their presents.

In cases where a divorce has occurred in a family, the children usually spend the Christmas Eve with one part of the family and Christmas with another part of the family. The most important fact is that even if a family is poor, they still afford to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through eating and merry-making.

Carol Service

Christians go to a carol service as part of Christmas Eve traditions. There are actually two carol services- one for the children and the other is closer to midnight allowing the people to rejoice and welcome the coming of our Lord on Christmas day.

Wonderful Christmas Eve Traditions during the First World War

On the midnight of Christmas Eve in 1914, there was a sudden stop to the firing from the German coaches. Christmas carols were played by a German brass band. Though the allied soldiers at first mistook it for a trick, they soon shook hands, sang carols and exchanged gifts of cigarettes and plum puddings among themselves. They even played a game of soccer together.

Regarded for the starting of the Christmas celebrations, the day of the Christmas Eve is celebrated all over the world for ages.

The Christmas tree is the most popular symbol of Christmas. It is normally an evergreen coniferous tree decorated with colorful lights and ornaments around Christmas time. Traditionally trees are brought to the house not earlier than Christmas Eve on 24th December and removed on 6th January i.e. day after 12th night.

History

The origins of the Christmas tree are traced to a Pagan custom where an evergreen tree symbolized renewal of life.

The modern custom, although probably related, cannot be traced directly to Pagan traditions. They are traced earliest to 1570 in Germany. A Bremen guild chronicle reports a decorated tree for the guild member s children. The custom entered homes in the 17th century. By the 18th century the custom was common in towns of upper Rhineland but not in the rural areas. Wax candles were now being used. However, it remained a Protestant custom. In the early 19th century it spread to Catholics of lower Rhine and then to Russia and Austria. In France the first Christmas was introduced in 1840.

Types of trees

Natural as well as artificial trees are used for Christmas.

Natural trees

The Abies species of fir are the best because they have a good scent and foliage and their needles do not shed when dry. The less traditional conifers used are Giant Sequoia, Leyland Cypress and Eastern Juniper.

Some trees are bought live with roots and soil, planted outside the house and used for several years. However the root loss due to digging and warmer and more humid indoor conditions shorten the life of the trees. Indoors they become dormant and unable to cope with the outdoor mid-winter weather. They should be kept indoors for few days to prevent such damage.

Naturally grown and unsheared trees are preferred in Europe while in U.S. close-sheared trees with denser foliage, but less space for decoration, is preferred. Shearing also spoils the attractive natural symmetry of the trees. Christmas trees, once harvested from the wild are now almost entirely commercially grown on farms in U.S.

Artificial trees

Artificial trees are becoming popular now because they are cheaper and more convenient. These come in many colors and sometimes pre-decorated. The trees can be dis-assembled and stored. They are a necessity in apartment homes where dry natural wood pose a fire hazard.

Brush manufacturers using animal bristles made the first modern artificial trees and then moved towards plastic bristles and dyed pine green to make the needles. These were inserted between twisted iron wires to make branches. Later PVC was used. Artificial trees are becoming more realistic every year.

Decorating a Christmas tree

It s not very difficult. The tree should be rounded and have enough space for decoration but not to be seen through.

The lights should well cover the tree. If you want to use ornaments then have less lights and more sparkle. To give depths to the tree have some lights inside the tree hidden by the branches.

Next drop generous swags of garland between the branches allowing them to fall freely and gracefully.

A wide variety of ornaments depicting specific themes are available. Choose your theme to fit with the overall color scheme.

The topper, whatever it is, should be big enough to be seen.

Think of Christmas and the first thing that comes to mind are evergreen Christmas trees. For who can think of celebrating Christmas without the traditionally decorated tree?

The history of the Christmas tree tradition is often traced to the Christianization of the prehistoric pagan belief that the evergreen tree signifies a commemoration of the rejuvenation of life. Medieval myths however spoke about the marvelous “flowering” of trees during Christmas. Then again, the Germanic tribes considered Patron trees as sacred. The tree is also often associated with the concept trinity signified by its triangular shape.

Among more modern traditions, Ingeborg Weber-Keller (Marburg professor of European ethnology) found the earliest reference of a decorated fir tree for the occasion of Xmas in a Bremen guild chronicle of 16th century Germany.

If you follow the tradition of Christmas trees, then you cannot bring in and decorate the trees until Christmas Eve (24 December) and cannot remove them either before the day after twelfth night (i.e., January 6th). If you do this, you bring bad luck.

However, consumerism has put this custom in the backseat. In the US, it is a popular norm to put up the decorated tree right after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and to remove it after the New Year.

Again, some others prefer not to have the tree at home until the second week of December and have it around until 6 January. German Catholics again follow a custom wherein they remove the Christmas trees as late as 2 February.

Though only natural trees were used in olden times now artificial trees are also quite popular. However, since some fake trees are made out of PVC, a toxic material that is often stabilized with lead, it is an issue of environmental concern. Polyethylene trees are the less toxic kinds, though more costly than the PVC type.

Then again, artificial trees cannot be recycled and results in pollution. Real trees on the other hand can be recycled as a crop.

Let us take a close look at some types of Christmas trees:

Natural trees

• Fir (Abies is the most popular kind, with the advantage of not shedding dry needles, bright foliage color and aroma. Silver Fir Abies alba (the original species), Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana, Noble Fir Abies procera, Grand Fir Abies grandis to name a few others.
• Conifers too are sometimes used such as Giant Sequoia, Leyland Cypress and Eastern Juniper.
• Then there is Blue spruce but has very sharp needles
• Virginia Pine is still grown on some tree farms in the southeastern United States, but its wintertime color is too dull for decorations.
• The long-needled Eastern White Pine is sometimes used.
• Norfolk Island pine is popular in the Oceania region
• In Australia, few species of the genera Casuarina and Allocasuarina are used as Christmas trees.

Artificial trees

Artificial trees embellished with lights and crafts, are popular for convenience and cost sake. The first modern artificial Christmas trees were made by companies, which made brushes. Some of the most popular among these Christmas trees are the indoor prelit trees, tabletop feather trees, metallic designer trees, outdoor-branched trees made of heavy white-enameled steel wires etc.