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Images of the old Father Christmas cloned the model for the new Father Christmas. However, around the 19th century, the custom of St Nicholas had not completely disappeared and alternated with the tradition of the baby Jesus. But the reformer Martin Luther did not like the Catholic saint as a gift bearer and so a new Protestant gift bearer was born: the Christ Child who brought gifts on the 24th night or on the 25th of December. The historical model for Father Christmas at Christmas time is St Nicholas. There was also a custom in which St Nicholas entered the house accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht (called 'Krampus' in Austria). Children would hang up their shoes in the evening and the next morning they would find them filled with nuts, apples and sweets. In the past, St Nicholas used to bring presents on his feast day, 6 December. Santa Claus has not existed for long, he is an invention of the modern era. Santa Claus as gift-giver is an invention of modern times. This custom is renewed every year, through the story that every 6 December children wait for gifts from the chimney. The Christmas custom of St Nicholas is therefore based on the Legend of the Virgins. They were saved from their fate by finding the gold in their socks and boots hanging out to dry. To prevent them from becoming prostitutes, Nicholas helped them by leaving gold in the fireplace. The legend tells of an old parent who did not have the money to marry off his daughters. The day of St Nicholas' death is said to be 6 December, a day that is celebrated as a holiday in memory of his good deeds. There are many legends about the bishop and the origin of St Nicholas Day. The name comes from the Greek and means 'victory of the people'.
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We owe this to the holy Bishop of Myra, born in Lycia (modern Turkey) in the 3rd century and baptised with the name 'Nicholas'. St Nicholas Day is celebrated on 6 December, when it is customary for children to put their boots outside the door to receive gifts. The liturgical year in Catholic and Protestant churches begins on the first Sunday of Advent. He set the number of Sundays in Advent from six to four. The Advent season as we know it today, with its four Sundays before Christmas, dates back to Pope Gregory the Great (540-604). What Christmas customs are there in Germany before and after Christmas? AdventĮvent (from the Latin "the coming") originated - probably in the mid-4th century - as a period of fasting and penance between St Martin's Day (11 November) and the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, at which time the birth of Jesus was celebrated. As with all customs, Christmas customs differ from region to region and are subject to constant change. Since then, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December instead of the winter solstice. But the celebration was strongly anchored in society, so the church leaders decided to dedicate the feast to Jesus. However, the Church condemned the solstice festival as a pagan custom and forbade it. Around 500 BC, the Romans commemorated the birthday of the Sun God on 25 December, while Germanic peoples celebrated a festival in July. Also in antiquity, the Egyptians and other cultures celebrated the birthdays of their gods on the winter solstice (21 December). The feast has its origins in the birth of Jesus, although some customs date back to ancient winter and lighter customs. Where does the Christmas tradition come from?Ĭhristmas customs are recurring and characteristic traditions of the Christmas festival.
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