


With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God, and the savior of all people. With the birth of Christ, Christianity essentially begins; thus, Christmas also celebrates the beginning of Christianity.
Though Christmas is normally celebrated on the 25th of December, strong evidence suggests that Jesus may have in fact been born in the spring. Though many Christians date Christ's birth as the end of the "Before Christ" or BC era, most believe Christ's birth can actually be dated to 4 BC. This is a bit ironic, since the Christian era is thought to begin with the birth of Christ, but actually begins later.

Sweden
Christmas goats have a big role in Swedish Christmas celebrations from small ornaments to gigantic goats like this one in the city of Gavle that is set up every year in December. The big Gavle goat is famous for being vandalized or burnt down frequently. Since 1966, the Straw Goat has survived until Christmas Day only 13 times.
Japan
In many Japanese homes a KFC bucket with fried chicken is the main dish at Christmas. Thanks to a lack of turkeys and smart marketing by KFC the fried chicken is so popular you have to order weeks in advance for the holidays.
Spain
The ti is a tree trunk with a hole inside, little legs and a face painted on it. Each night, the children give the ti a little bit to "eat" and cover him with a little blanket so that he won't be cold at night. On Christmas day they put the ti partly into the fireplace and order it to poop. To make him poop, the children beat him with sticks, while singing various songs of Ti de Nadal. Out comes candies and nuts for everyone to share.
Britain
In Britain, the Christmas Pudding, also called plum pudding, is a big deal. Many families have their own recipes that go back generations. The puddings are almost black, thanks to the long cooking time and the dark sugar, and are moistened with juice or brandy. Usually, you make the pudding at least four or five weeks before Christmas, and it can last up to a year. Traditionally, every member of the household stirs the pudding while making a wish. When it's time to serve the pudding, tradition calls for bathing it in brandy and setting it on fire.
Germany
Rumor has it that in Germany the last decoration to go on the tree is a pickle and that the first child to find it on Christmas receives an extra present. As popular as this story is around the world, the truth is that most Germans would have no idea what you are talking about. It's a rumor, albeit a rumor that someone is making a killing selling glass pickles off of.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
"He had a broad face and a round little belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly,
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself"
Clement Moore, "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
On the night before Christmas, all across the world, millions of children will be tucked in their beds while "visions of sugarplums dance in their heads." When they awake they will check their stockings to see if Santa Claus has come.
Santa Claus has become the most beloved of Christmas symbols and traditions. The image of the jolly old elf flying in a sleigh pulled by reindeers and leaving toys and gifts for every child is know worldwide.
So Wait for your Santa to Sneak in a give you a gift!
Happy Holidays.
Merry Christmas.
HO..HO...HO..HO..