Christmas
Christmas is a most important
religious holy day for
Christians, who attend
special church services
to celebrate the birth
of Jesus of Nazareth.
Christmas is not only a
religious holy day, but
became one of the first
federal holidays in 1870.
On this day most businesses
and offices remain closed
and the greatest possible
number of workers, including
government employees, have
the day off. Many places
even close early on the
day before.
Naturally Christians
observe Christmas according
to
the traditions of their
particular church. Besides
the strictly religious
traditions, however,
other common Christmas
practices
are observed by people
who are not religious
or who are not Christian.
In this way, some Christmas
traditions have become
American traditions.
Gift-giving is so common
at Christmas time that
for most stores it
means a sharp increase
in sales.
Stores, in fact, are
full of shoppers from
Thanksgiving
time in late November
until the day before
Christmas.
This situation has
caused many religious
people
to complain that the
religious
meaning of Christmas
is being subverted,
that Christmas
has become "commercial." Despite
the criticism, Christmas
shopping is a major activity
of many Americans in the
month of December. Gifts
are given to children,
members of the family and
close friends. They are
given to people who have
done favors to others or
who work for them. Some
people bake cookies or
make candies or other special
food treats for friends
and neighbors. Many businesses
give their workers a Christmas "bonus" -
gifts of extra money -
to show appreciation for
their work. Christmas is
also a time when most Americans
show great generosity to
other less fortunate than
they. They send money to
hospitals or orphanages
or contribute to funds
that help the poor.
Most Americans send greeting
cards to their friends
and family at Christmas
time. Some people who
are friends or relatives
and live great distances
from each other
may not be much in contact with each other during year - but will usually exchange
greeting cards and often a Christmas letter telling their family news.
The decorating of homes for Christmas is very common. Most American who observe
Christmas have a Christmas tree in their homes. This may be a real evergreen
tree or an artificial one. In either case, the tree is decorated and trimmed
with small lights and ornaments. Other decorations such as lights and wreaths
of evergreen and signs wishing a "Merry Christmas" can be found inside
and outside of many homes.
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