For more than 2000 years, people around the world have been observing Christmas as a religious holiday. Christmas is a cultural and commercial phenomenon, respected with traditions and practices that are religious and secular as well. Not only the Christians, people from different faiths across the globe, celebrate Christmas.
Centuries before Christmas began to be observed as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ (the spiritual guide whose teachings laid the foundation of Christianity), middle of winter was being celebrated around the world. Europeans celebrated it with light in the darkest days of winter, rejoiced during winter solstice leaving behind the worst of the winter, looking forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
Some Interesting Christmas Facts:
- Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the USA on June 26, 1870.
- The Orthodox churches of Greece and Russia, celebrate Christmas 13 days after the 25th December. This day is believed to be the one when the three wise men found infant Jesus in the cradle.
- During the Middle Ages (c. 1000 to 1453) Christmas celebrations were crude and blatant.
- During 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.
- Around 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the USA alone. There are around 21,000 Christmas tree growers. Typically the trees grow for about 15years before they are sold.
- In Scandinavia, the Yule or Christmas used to be celebrated from December 21st, the winter solstice through January. People would burn logs and feast until the log burnt out which could take 12 days.
Certainly, Christmas has been an age-old tradition. No matter which particular day it is observed, the spirit remained the same always. Joy, celebration, and welcoming of summer and bounty.
Why Hello Salamanca Celebrates Christmas
Christmas can bring an entertaining distraction from the study stress brought by the entire school year. The children feel excited, joyous. Hello Salamanca environment gets uplifted with the positive energy of delight and celebration. Even Hello super teachers feel excited about the much-coveted break from the teaching-learning cycle that goes on throughout the year. Even if it is for a short period.
1. Inculcate The Spirit Of Giving
Christmas is all about celebration and offering. Students at Hello Salamanca, get to experience the joy of giving. Children are taught to make hand-made gifts for others. They take part in the food-drive, toy-drive or gift-drive to less fortunate ones focusing on their needs.
2. Special Learning For The Young Ones
The youngsters, the first or second graders at Hello Salamanca, read about Santa, the winter solstice, winter holiday traditions throughout the world.
The second graders at Hello Salamanca, learn writing friendly letters to Santa, not only asking for toys or gifts but also wishing something for the world. Peace for everyone for example, or help endangered animals, food for all, keeping the planet clean and green. This instills the spirit of consideration for others in their tender minds.
3.Unity In Diversity
Hello Salamanca Students from different backgrounds participate in decoration and festivity. They learn the differences, and yet the bond of love, warmth, cheer and selflessness that bind mankind together.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our Hello Super Team!!
