Popular Christmas Stories, Traditions, and Beliefs

We all have heard quite a lot of Christmas tales. None of them has been proved to be true, but the only thing we are sure of is that it keeps on changing through out the years. There are even controversies about whether December 25 is the exact date for Christ's birth date. Some skeptics also questioned why shepherds were out in the cold watching their flocks at night. They have created the idea that Jesus was probably born in spring time. There are so many stories and tales about Christmas that we cannot be surprised at everything that we have heard.

One of the most common tales especially to children is the story of Santa Claus. To others, he is also known as Saint Nicholas. If it were true, where does he really live, and how does he deliver all those gifts in one night?

Americans believe that Santa Claus has two homes. There is one in Torrington, Connecticut and another in Wilmington, New York. The first home is believed to be used as a distribution point to hand out gifts with the help of his elves. The second home is where Santa and his reindeer live. What about the popular belief that he lives in the North Pole?

In Finland, people believe that their country is the official residence of Santa Claus because you can visit Santa's workshop any time of the year. It only closes once every year-on Christmas Eve. They also believe that Santa and his reindeer do not reach children's homes by flying.

If people could talk to Santa on his workshops in Finland, they would probably ask him about what his real story is. And maybe, Santa has some questions for us too. Although there has been no news about having any chance of talking to Santa Claus himself, it would be fun imagining all the questions that we could ask him.

There are also tales about the Christmas tree originating from Germany through immigrants. During the 16^th century, Christian immigrants started to place decorated trees into their homes. They also started building Christmas pyramids that were made out of wood and decorated with evergreens and candles.

One Christmas tale tells us that a man named Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, was the first to add lighted candles to a Christmas tree. He was inspired by the brilliant lights of the stars in the dark night. He placed wires with tiny lighted candles around the branches of a tree that he brought to his room. This is what we have come to know as the tale of the Christmas tree.