Siam Villa Guide to Christmas

Chrsitmas is a popular holiday accross the world. It is celebrated every 25th of December. It marks a series of holidays that culminate into the celebration of the New Year. It is known as a season for giving, the time of the year spend time with our family and exchange gifts with our loved ones. We have been celebrating the holiday for centuries and if you ever wonder when did it all began?, we got you! Let us explore the roots of this famous holiday - where did the gift giving jolly season all began?

Christmas is associated with the sacred religious holiday formerly known as the Feast of the Nativity which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Although the Bible did not mention it specifically that it was December, the Catholic church at that time, decided to celebrate at the same season as the pagan celebration of the unconquered sun associated with the Norse belief in Yule, or the return of the sun. It also coincides with the Roman celebration of Saturnalia for abundant food and drinks. Adapting these celebrations made it easier to transition and accept the new Catholic celebration.

At the time of Jesus' birth, three kings offered him gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold to recognize him as the King of kings. This marks the beginning of Jesus' journey in this world of which the new testament is based on. The feast is to celebrate his coming into one's life or family. It was then spread around the world and was widely accepted as holiday connected to the New Year celebrations.

What about Santa Claus? He was based on St. Nicholas, a monk who was born in Turkey in 280 AD who lived a rich life but chose to give up all his belongings to share it to the poor. That is why we can see Santa Clasue giving gifts and not expecting anything back. It was then added as a popular belief that if you are good, you give agift but if you are bad, then you get a piece of coal. Mostly I think it was to teach kids to behave.

Weather, you celebrate Christmas as part of your religion, culture or tradition, it would still be that season when the air gives you a cold yet relaxing feeling, the time of the year when you get excited to shop for you family and friends, it is when you pack your bags and go home to your family and spend the night with them, its that month where everyone feels the generosity towards others. This is why I believe it became a popular holiday since the whole world associated these warm sentiments towards its celebration. It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year!