FULLY CATHOLIC

The 25th of December is only a few days of way, which means Christmas is almost here. This is an exciting and festive time of the year, especially here in my native Trinidad and Tobago as the sweet sound of parang music fills the air every where you go.  Unfortunately,  most people seemed to have forgotten what Christmas is really about.  Our local parang music - like Christmas carols - once focused on that joyous night, that Holy Night, when Jesus Christ was born; however due to heavy commercialism now sing on almost everything under the sun, and all in the name of Christmas.

The tradition of Christmas caroling first gained popularity in Italy, in the mid 13th century. Saint Francis of Assisi added lyrics to well known Christmas music in an effort to teach people about the birth of Jesus. These songs were often performed in plays as a form of entertainment for the congregation. The plays primarily focused on Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus.

The Tradition of Christmas is different around the world. People everywhere celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But the way they celebrate is different according to the customs and traditions of the region.

Christmas Around World

There is one and only one time of the year when the world becomes a less tense, a little more joyful and on that single day, there is a solemn recognition of the birth of Jesus Christ. Each December 25th, families gather together to share the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger in Bethlehem.

Christmas traditions of most American families include trimming a tree, singing songs, spending money on things they don’t have to buy to show their appreciation of people they barely see, giving Santa Claus too much credit and eating large amounts of food at holiday parties all in the name of “good spirit and cheer” to produce warm, fuzzy feelings for themselves. While spending time with loved ones is important and people being nice is wonderful, the whole purpose of why Christmas was established is completely missed in the process. “Christmas” was established to recognize and honor the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – hence, the reason the name of “Christ” is in “CHRISTmas”.