Christmas History

The real Truth of Christmas is that it was not originally an American Tradition or even a Christian one. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season. This is a Historical fact that can be researched and confirmed. So Christmas is not an American tradition but a story written by an Author. Here are some more facts about Christmas I think the Public needs to be aware of. The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking. In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia, a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun. Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year. In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, and then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today's Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the "lord of misrule" and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined "debt" to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens. In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. Now having all those facts in hand lets really discuss Christmas. Any one who wants to verify my facts please do so. I enjoy Christmas as much as the next person but I do know the truth of its origin and I will share that with all.

For all my Friends in Fast food and retail! Please pass This on.

As the Holiday season approaches many people who work in fast food or retail get verbally abused by customers who themselves have short tempers this time of year. Well here is a list of "rules" for customers to THINK about!

1. Be patient (Often time we have NO control of how fast the kitchen makes your food OR how fast we can find something on the showroom floor, stock room then really expect a wait we don't have transporters)

2. Get off your phone. (It's rude and we are giving you our attention!)

3. Ask the right person! (Don't ask the greeter where the sock department is OR the cashier who's the milk supplier)

4. IF something is not right, explain what the problem is so it can get fixed! (We do not understand when things are thrown at us; so is that not the right size, wrong order or what?)

5. If you need a translator ask! (Often times we do speak other languages but don't expect and get mad when we don't understand you, This is America after all, THIS also applies for special needs, if you can't talk write it down most of us can't speak ASL!)

6. Time's are posted! (Don't ask for lunch at 7 AM and be mad about the wait or breakfast at 4pm, it's not going to happen, we will not open early just for you sorry but often time safes and alarms do NOT allow for this!)

7. IF you are at drive thru and we ask you to repeat your order chances are you can not be heard!! (This happens ALOT with high idle cars like DODGE rams, Hummers and Mustangs, be polite and turn it off!, Also ordering from the passenger seat or backseat we are not mind readers we can not hear that)All Those who work drive thru should be given medals if it was up to me!

8. It's the holidays expect a wait (I know this is tough to swallow but the people in front of you are JUST as important as you, we are busy and doing our best!)

9. It's not our fault your card is declined! (We run it through a computer system if the system says no then it's NO; sorry!)

10. Don't treat us like we are stupid! (Many people in retail have degrees some with Master's degrees and choose to work in retail for the flexibility and friendships among the teams, MOST of us are not high school drop outs! Be polite and above all don't call us stupid out loud OR with your expression, we don't assume why do you?)

Thanks and have a good Holiday!