Naty Crib Scene History

Despite being the product of separate, largely dissimilar religions, Christmas and Hanukkah fulfill a similar goal. Although the specific food traditions throughout Christianity and Judaism differ greatly, the role of food in these holidays is largely the same. Food is imbued with a sense of remembrance and reverence, creating a level of similarity between two very distinct traditions. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a central holiday in modern Judaism. Although it is not a Biblical holiday, it marks a significant cultural event in Jewish history, commemorating the Maccabean revolt and subsequent rededication of the temple by Judah Maccabee.

The central focus and purpose of teaching this learning segment is to educate students about other holidays and cultures, but specifically focusing on Christmas in Italy. While this unit is essentially literacy based, it is also linked to Social Studies when students use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of themes, traditions, and stories in different countries. This unit supports diversity within the classroom and it will expose students to the different ways of celebrating holidays among various cultures. The essential literacy strategy used throughout this unit is to analyze, explain, and describe the similarities and differences between Christmas in Italy and Christmas in their own home in the United States. The students are required to examine the way Christmas is celebrated in Italy in a variety of different ways, through both teacher directed guidance and student centered learning.]

Christmas has been kept for hundreds of years with traditions, in many countries around the world. The United States starts to prepare for Christmas months in advance. From decorating with lights, to shopping, Americans are so hyped up about this holiday. But Americans seem blinded about other countries’ cultures, so that blind fold will be taken off now. The Christmas traditions and customs of Brazil, Egypt, and Sweden will be explored to show how others celebrate Christmas.

Then on December 16th, the Posadas begin. This is when a small procession with the images of Joseph and Mary is taken from house to house each night until December 24th. Then on the 24th, families come together to share a delicious Christmas dinner. They spend all night, chatting, drinking, playing games and having fun while waiting for midnight. Once midnight strikes, a whole bunch of fireworks go off while everyone hugs each other and wishes one another and “Happy Christmas”.

There are similarities and differences between Christmas in America and Christmas in Italy. The Christmas holiday originated with the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, a day around the shortest day of the year. Therefore, the main reason we celebrate the holiday is to celebrate Christ's birthday. Another reason for celebrating Christmas includes the changing of the seasons and the days that will become short before becoming long again. The shortest day, not necessarily falling on Christmas, is Winter Solstice which happens also to be a Pagan, agricultural holiday to mark the changes is the seasons. Most simply, we celebrate Christmas across the world as inspiration to imitate ethical behaviors of Christ who unconditionally loved all men and women regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.

That said, Christmas also moved around the globe between 900 - 1000 Common Era (C.E.) and was adapted to match their winter celebrations there as well. Christmas evolved slowly and gradually, with no firm mention of it until the mid 11th century, where we actually find the first reference to it. It evolved and changed and

In addition, all passed generations of the Morocho have all been catholic because of their belief and faith in God and Jesus. The Morocho family has all turned to God and Jesus in time of need and thanked Jesus for giving them everything they have. An essential part of being catholic is children have to be baptized, do their first communion, and confirmation. Going through baptism, first communion, and confirmation give them the fundaments to learn more about their religion also how to communicate with god. Oscar a member of the Morocho family stated, “I learned the importance of believing in my religion and I pray for my whole family and I, using what I have learned in religion school”. In the Morocho’s Family parents sign their children up to be part of the play of Jesus birth in Bethlehem.” Through religion school they learn to say prayers and make the sign of the cross that is used in mass and in the mass of Christmas Eve. Lourdes said “We praise Jesus on Christmas because he is the Son of God and did so many things for us for example he sacrificed himself for us”. All in all, purpose of practicing religion on Christmas Eve is to honor Jesus’s birth.

Christmas is the most popular festival globally. Christmas is an occasion that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The origin and the history of Christmas have pagan roots. It is said that the origin of Christmas began 2000 years ago when the birth of Christ took place. History mentions that Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary in a manger and it is said that a star guided the three Magi who traveled from the East to Jerusalem to shower gifts on baby Jesus. It is believed that Jesus was the Son of God and he came to the world to spread the message of God. The New Testament is unable to provide any information regarding the date or year related to the birth of Jesus Christ. St. Mark, which is an ancient

Christmas was to be a festival to reflect on society in a way to show that it was better than the past. The medieval time periods has perfect models that seemed to bring sheer celebration to christmas. “Merrie England” and the “Olde Christmas” provided the foundation to help build a new Christmas, one that fit the time period, and

As I said before, families almost always have at least one Nativity Scene in their home. They also carve gourds and transform them into Nativity Scenes as well. In poorer cities, Christmas isn’t even celebrated, and is just treated as a normal workday. It is a rarity to give gifts, even though some families give a

Christmas is celebrated in many places, many ways, and at different times. Have you ever thought about how other people celebrate Christmas around the world? And some places might not even celebrate at all, it depends on their religion what type of family they grow up in. For instance, in some countries do most of the same things people do in America like skiing and ice skating. Now let's talk about how people in Canada celebrate Christmas.

The annual December ceremony, when the “birthdays” of all children are celebrated. This is a ritual full of rites of passage. As the kids grow older, these rights allow them more responsibility. At eight for example they are given pockets and they take away their stuffed animals.

In Portugal, on Christmas Eve, noite de Natal, families gather around their Christmas tree and the Crèche, a model representing the scene of Jesus Christ. Catholicism is the main religion in Portugal. Thus, the Crèche is a very important part of the family celebration. It is very rare to not see the children of the family collecting the materials for Crèche. There are two ways Portuguese families decorate the Crèche. Some families only put three figures, baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph. Other families decorate their Crèche with many figures alongside the three main figures, baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joesph including the shepherd and the sheep, The Three Wise Men, lakes (made of mirrors), and hills (made with clay, moss,

Did you know it was common that no meat should be eaten on Christmas eve? Instead of meat, a light seafood meal was eaten. After the meal, people go to Midnight Mass service. When they return from Mass , they might have a slice of Italian Christmas cake named Panettone if it's cold. A popular tradition is to have the feast of the seven fishes, and it has it's root in Southern Italy. Some common fish eaten were Baccala, Clams, Calamari, Sardines, and Eel. Epiphany was an important part of the Christmas celebrations in Italy. It was the main day for present giving. Children believe that on Epiphany night, an old lady named Befana bring presents. Stockings were put up by the fireplace for Befana to fill. In some parts of northern Italy, the three

Christmas was first started by the Mesopotamians. The Mesopotamians were pagans and they believed in many gods such as a Chief God named Marduk. They believed that Marduk would battle monsters in the winter months so to help him in his struggle they held a festival every New Year. In this festival the Mesopotamians would “sacrifice a mock king” so he could help Marduk in his battle