Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night.
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. 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, 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.
In Luke, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, and Jesus is born there and laid in a manger. Angels proclaimed him a savior for all people, and shepherds came to adore him.
Hope shines bright in Nativity Window, a gleaming collection of glorious stained glass – a perfect celebration of the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated by the Christians, on 25th December, in the major part of the world, to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the world.
Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus and other gift bringers, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive. The modern popular image of Santa Claus, however, was created in the United States, and in particular in New York. The transformation was accomplished with the aid of notable contributors including Washington Irving and the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902). Following the American Revolutionary War, some of the inhabitants of New York City sought out symbols of the city’s non-English past. New York had originally been established as the Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam and the Dutch Sinterklaas tradition was reinvented as Saint Nicholas.
If you’re not sure what to give friends, family, co-workers and loved ones, check out the Gift Guide to find the perfect present for everyone on your list. There’s also a special assortment of gifts for kids of any age, including babies, toddlers and older kids. Find everything you need to bring the Christmas spirit to each room in your home. Also, remember to check out early Black Friday sales to save on Christmas decor.
Mini-suites offer a full-size decorated Christmas tree and in-room whirlpool tub and gas fireplace; 2-room suites have two full-size decorated Christmas trees, kitchen with full-size appliances, and a sleeper sofa in the sitting room. Make sure while you’re visiting you take a glance around our gift shop filled with Major Awards, Pink Nightmare bunny pajamas and many other A Christmas Story classics. A Christmas Story House has two free parking lot and free street parking on the streets in front of and directly adjacent to the property.