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Christmas Religious Traditions
So much is the fun and revelry surrounding Christmas these days that some people even seem to have forgotten the religious significance behind it. Christmas is first and last a religious festival. It is the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ, and is a seminal event according to Christian belief. It signifies God’s arrival in the mortal world to atone for man’s sins.
Midnight Mass
A Midnight Mass is held in churches on the night of the Christmas Eve. The
fact that it is at night makes it convenient for people to attend the service.
On the actual Christmas day families are so busy welcoming visiting relatives,
unwrapping presents, and cooking elaborate meals that it will be difficult for
anyone to make it to the church.
Nativity Scene
Besides the mass, every church is likely to organize its own plays, pageants,
contests, and storytelling sessions on the days preceding or following Christmas.
Most churches and many homes set up an elaborate nativity scene in front – consisting
of Jesus’ parents Mary and Joseph, the infant Jesus, the three Wise Men who
have come with gifts for the newborn Jesus, and a couple of animals to make
the barn look natural. Many have statues that they use year after year for crafting
the nativity scene, while there are those who use real human beings for theirs.
Religious Gifts
In many countries around the world, the arrival of Christmas is looked forward to with great eagerness and even greater excitement. The celebration of Christmas is the high point of the year and people spend a lot of time choosing the correct gift for their friends and family. Giving and receiving gifts has been central to Christmas since the time Jesus was born and the three wise men came bearing gifts for the Lord. Gifts should be given keeping in mind the temperament and nature of the recipient. Giving religious gifts to people who appreciate your gesture can only strengthen your ties and will clearly portray the love that you have for them.
Religious and nativity gifts
- Advent candles crafted with love and care can become perfect Christmas gifts for a religious minded person.
- Biblical cross is an excellent gift to show personal appreciation to a family member, your church or a clergy member.
- Jesus on the cross symbolizes Christianity and the true Christian spirit that reminds us to forgive even those people who do not know what sins they have committed. A Sunday school teacher or a friend or relative would truly appreciate such a gift.
- The Bible makes an ideal gift for most people. Since the bible now comes in many forms, it can become an ideal gift for a traveler or a student or even the stray agnostic.
- Statue of Mother Mary is another gift that would be appreciated by all believers. It sends a message of hope, faith and tolerance and would make an ultimate gift for most people.
- Inspirational Christmas card packs also make very practical gifts for people on the move who would like to keep in touch but never seem to find that extra time to be able to do so.
- Nativity pins, Christmas icons (like Raphael's classic Mother and Child) and Christmas calendars are some other Nativity and religious Christmas gifts that can be given to the religiously minded.
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