Premium Only Content

1944-12-24 AFRS Christmas Show
Christmas, celebrated by most Christians on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Americans, like many of the world’s peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances, and these have changed greatly over time.
Today, most Americans blend religious and secular customs with their own family traditions, often incorporating food, decorations and rituals from places they or their ancestors once called home. Roast turkey and ham are popular for Christmas dinner throughout the country, but depending on the region, so are tamales, roast goose with red cabbage, crawfish jambalaya, roast pork or “seven fishes” seafood salad.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN CHRISTMAS
The early New England Puritans frowned on boisterous Christmas celebrations. In 1659, the Massachusetts colonists briefly criminalized observance of the day, and Christmas remained a regular workday in much of New England and Pennsylvania. Other parts of British North America, however, celebrated with gusto, with costumed revelers going door to door and receiving small gifts of food and drink.
The modern, commercialized Christmas began to emerge in the 19th century with the new custom of purchasing gifts for young children. Seasonal “Christmas shopping” began to assume economic importance.
Other Christmas traditions similarly began during the 19th century. Santa Claus — derived from the Dutch Sinter Klaas and the German Saint Nicholas — assumed the persona of a jolly dispenser of gifts and pilot of a reindeer-drawn sleigh through such works as the 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.”
Germany is credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees in the 16th century. According to legend, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther first added lighted candles to a tree to remind his children of the wonders of God’s creation. Christmas trees became popular in Britain and the United States in the 19th century.
-
2:00:11
Redacted News
4 hours agoMELTDOWN! Trump’s Tariffs causing outrage on both sides, gold surges, markets meltdown | Redacted
101K41 -
22:46
JasminLaine
3 hours agoDid Carney Just CONFIRM It’s RIGGED? Poilievre WRECKS Reporter ON AIR
11.1K23 -
12:48
Tactical Considerations
4 hours ago $0.58 earnedM&P Carry Comp.. Almost Perfect Or Is It?
14.7K5 -
1:41:13
vivafrei
8 hours agoTrump Tariff War IS ON! Canada's Political Prisoners Sentenced! Eric Adams Runs as independent?
77K38 -
43:43
Kimberly Guilfoyle
7 hours agoThe Global Gravy Train is Over, Live with Elizabeth Pipko & Rob Bluey | Ep210
72K31 -
LIVE
Dr Disrespect
9 hours ago🔴LIVE - DR DISRESPECT - WARZONE - OG VERDANSK
2,605 watching -
11:10:40
LFA TV
1 day agoLFA TV - ALL DAY LIVE STREAM 4/3/25
136K18 -
2:14:02
The Quartering
7 hours agoBlack Youth KILLS White Kid At Track Meet, Stock Market Crash, Fast Food Prices & More
196K108 -
1:05:34
Russell Brand
9 hours agoIs Musk out?? Are We Rewarding Political Violence Now? – SF560
210K214 -
1:16:45
John Crump Live
4 hours ago $0.79 earnedATF's Political Prisoners!
22.5K4