Washington. Christmas, which most Christians observed on December 25, devoted to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Americans, like many nations of the world, have formed their own Christmas traditions and celebrations, and over time they have changed a lot.

Today, most Americans combines religious and secular customs with their own family traditions. Therefore, although for many Americans Christmas is an event of religious importance, the federal courts have confirmed his status as an official holiday. As pointed out by one court, "giving federal workers a paid day off on Christmas, the government only recognizes the cultural significance of this holiday.

BECOMING AMERICAN CHRISTMAS

The first Puritans in New England often stormy condemned Christmas celebration, which they watched at home. In 1659 the colony of Massachusetts briefly announced the celebration outside the law, and Christmas remained a normal working day in many parts of New England and Pennsylvania. However, in other parts of the British North American holiday celebrated with pleasure, from house to house went the masks and received small gifts in the form of booze and snacks.

Contemporary Christmas, a more commercialized leg began to take shape in the 19 th century with a new custom of buying gifts for young children. Seasonal "Christmas purchases" began to acquire economic value.

It is in the 19 th century began to take shape, and other Christmas traditions. Santa Claus - derived character, which combines the features of the Dutch Sinter Klaas and the German Saint Nicholas - a cheerful giver took shape on the sleigh reindeer sleigh through such works as written in the 1823 poem "The guests came to St. Nicholas and Santa Claus' portrait of the artist Thomas Nasta in "Harper's Weekly." Many organizations, from the charity the Salvation Army to the Coca-Cola, has since used this image.

According to legend, the Christmas tree back to Martin Luther, German religious figure in the 16 th century, whose criticism of the prevailing customs of the Catholic Church has accelerated the Protestant Reformation. According to legend, Luther bought a house for their children and decorated it with lighted candles, a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve to remind them of the wonders of God's creations.

In the 19 th century, this custom came to Britain and the United States. Today, many modern Americans get a freshly cut tree or a reusable artificial tree made of plastic and aluminum. Christmas tree placed in the family room and is decorated with lights and toys - as a rule, balls with pictures of angels and other figures associated with the holiday. In some families, the morning of Dec. 25 under the tree appear gifts and put back home or, as they believe the younger children, brings Santa Claus, who sits on the roof in a sleigh with reindeer, and sneaks through the chimney, where all children are fast asleep.

Christmas cards received in mass production in the last quarter of the 19 th century. In 1996, Americans purchased and mailed 2.6 billion Christmas cards. They are depicted religious subjects, and even more secular, often humorous messages. With the proliferation of the Internet is an increasingly popular option for becoming "electronic postcards".

MODERN CELEBRATIONS

As the Christmas shopping is vital for many sellers, Christmas has become an independent "season". During the Great Depression of the 1930's President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed to move the Thanksgiving Day at an earlier date, to extend the time between purchases this holiday and Christmas. Today, Friday after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday". This is an important trading day (some stores open for a few hours earlier than usual) brings to many companies such proceeds that removes them from the negative to a positive balance, and represents a significant portion of annual profits.

This extended Christmas season is dedicated not only purchases. For many Americans, this period of goodwill in general, and an occasion for charity and voluntary work. To some extent, non-Christian holidays - especially African-American and Jewish Hanukah Kwanza - also woven into the overall holiday season.

Many years of love and popularity of Americans enjoy movies "Miracle on 34 th Street" (1945) and "What a wonderful life" (1946). Recently was added to the "Christmas Story" (1983) on radiorasskazam Jean Shepard.

On the TV show often and cartoons on the Christmas theme. Some, such as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolph the red deer, were removed back in mid-1960 and the same love and present to children and their parents.

More and more radio stations are now rebuilding their formats with a focus on Christmas music, sometimes devoting entire broadcast only to her, for 4-6 weeks before the holiday. Broadcast live or recorded popular classical works, including the chorus of "Hallelujah" from Handel's Messiah, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and the "Christmas Oratorio" IS Bach, often heard in the previous Christmas week.

The original religious meaning of the holiday for many remains the most important element. Some congregations organize Christmas performances with dioramas barn where Jesus was born, filled with figures depicting the infant Jesus and those who were present at his birth. Many churches hold Christmas services by candlelight or midnight. Sometimes they include the Christmas Mass or a play about the birth of Jesus. Visitors lot.

Like many other events of American cultural life, Christmas in the United States reflects the values of free people who come from different countries.