There are many good sites about the early New England Christmas and about the southern states early Christmas, including Williamsburg at the time of George Washington. The thing that is so stupid about wanting to ban Christmas is that, because we are a nation of immigrants, many of our forefathers brought their customs with them to this country, and by wanting to ban the religious aspect of the holiday, we are offending MANY nationalities. To say nothing of those who don't hyphenate, and just use the term, "Americans", when stating our nationality.
For instance:
>>>>>The fun-loving Dutch colonists of New .Amsterdam, although they
observed Christmas with church services, carols and quiet family
gatherings, made it their principal holiday when "Sint Klass" (St.
Nicholas) came on his white horse to fill the children's stockings. In our
southern colonies there was much visiting between plantations, feasting,
dancing and fireworks, with a "Christmas gift" to every servant and a
holiday as long as the huge Yule log burned. The Christmas tree was
introduced during the War of the Revolution by the Hessian soldiers
who later founded communities of "Pennsylvania Dutch". The names
Kriss-Kringle -- a misunderstanding of their German word for the
Christ-child -- St. Nicholas and Santa Claus, did not become generally
applied to the children's patron saint until the 1820's and 1830's. Other
old-country customs were brought here by the Scandinavians, the
Italians, the Slaves and other nationalities who have added flavor to
America's "Melting Pot".<<<<<
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umkc.edu
history.org
newton.dep.anl.gov |
