Here in Germany, we celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th of December. (-> "Heiliger Abend" = "Christmas eve")</strong><hr></blockquote>Yes, but it s not a public holiday.
Actually, the observance of the Christmas holiday has often been controversial and not universally celebrated. The Puritans saw Christmas as a Papist corruption and so refused to observe Christmas. Even the word "Christmas" - the mass of Christ - alienated them.
Also, the feast of <a href="http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7175/stnich-page.html"; target="_blank">St. Nicholas</a>, who was a real person, is/was celebrated on Dec. 6. In the Greek church - he was an Orthodox bishop - saints are celebrated on the day of their passing which in Nicholas' case was Dec. 6. St. Nicholas was revered for his generosity and so the giving of gifts became associated with his feast day. This tradition, of course, was eventually folded into the Christmas celebration. The Dutch called St. Nicholas Sinterklaas and it is my understanding that Dec. 6 is still observed in the Netherlands.
Discussions on how to speel Christmas aside Christmas Day is on the 25. here of course but the evening of the 24. is where the gifts are exchanged. The next day is used to cure headaches before you you create a new one later that day.
Hope to see you here Leonis. It would be stupid to miss that chance. Hey it could actually end up being the largest AI meetup EVER if you, Kelib, Power Apple (who I guess you are visiting) and I met up
I would have asked you to bring me a Ti (book not the person) but since I am working on a contact in US who can get it at edu pricing I won´t do that. Instead I will ask you how many iPods you have been asked to bring untill now (I hear that customs here don´t believe that a number above four is for "personal use")
<strong>St. Nicholas was revered for his generosity and so the giving of gifts became associated with his feast day. This tradition, of course, was eventually folded into the Christmas celebration. The Dutch called St. Nicholas Sinterklaas and it is my understanding that Dec. 6 is still observed in the Netherlands.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I believe Father Christmas used to be depicted dressed in Green or Gold, more closely resembling St. Nicholas. The current red and white Santa is just the result of a Coca-Cola advertising campaign several decades ago. It shows how commercialised Christmas has become.
You know, I gotta believe Hawaii is way warmer than Denmark or Canada for Christmas. And their Santa Claus / St. Nicholas in Europe looks like he's wearing a bathrobe.
Besides, in Hawaii, I think everyone gets lei'd for Christmas, while only Romanians get lei here.
Comments
<strong>
Here in Germany, we celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th of December. (-> "Heiliger Abend" = "Christmas eve")</strong><hr></blockquote>Yes, but it s not a public holiday.
- T.I.
<strong>
Christmas is always on the 25th of december.
and, leonis, don't forget to take ALL your money with you and come visit switzerland.
There's nothing better than a BIG swiss bank account
Well I KNOW Christmas is, silly.
But I could find no reference on any of my calendars to an XMAS. Seems to be two different words, to me.
Also, the feast of <a href="http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7175/stnich-page.html"; target="_blank">St. Nicholas</a>, who was a real person, is/was celebrated on Dec. 6. In the Greek church - he was an Orthodox bishop - saints are celebrated on the day of their passing which in Nicholas' case was Dec. 6. St. Nicholas was revered for his generosity and so the giving of gifts became associated with his feast day. This tradition, of course, was eventually folded into the Christmas celebration. The Dutch called St. Nicholas Sinterklaas and it is my understanding that Dec. 6 is still observed in the Netherlands.
Finally, the abbreviation "<a href="http://www.kencollins.com/Holy-02T.htm"; target="_blank">Xmas</a>" is not irreligious.
[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: spaceman_spiff ]</p>
<strong>Well, they are taking mine
- T.I.</strong><hr></blockquote>
see, Leonis ?
they even take ti's money ! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Hope to see you here Leonis. It would be stupid to miss that chance. Hey it could actually end up being the largest AI meetup EVER if you, Kelib, Power Apple (who I guess you are visiting) and I met up
I would have asked you to bring me a Ti (book not the person) but since I am working on a contact in US who can get it at edu pricing I won´t do that. Instead I will ask you how many iPods you have been asked to bring untill now (I hear that customs here don´t believe that a number above four is for "personal use")
<strong>St. Nicholas was revered for his generosity and so the giving of gifts became associated with his feast day. This tradition, of course, was eventually folded into the Christmas celebration. The Dutch called St. Nicholas Sinterklaas and it is my understanding that Dec. 6 is still observed in the Netherlands.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I believe Father Christmas used to be depicted dressed in Green or Gold, more closely resembling St. Nicholas. The current red and white Santa is just the result of a Coca-Cola advertising campaign several decades ago. It shows how commercialised Christmas has become.
[ 10-20-2002: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>
Well, there is ONE.
I sucessfully made some pretty decent profit by auctioning some of my excess "inventory" on eBay
The money is now put into the "Pollux' Christmas Trip to Denmark Foundation"
[ 10-21-2002: Message edited by: Leonis ]</p>
Anyway.......
I think I should start the count down
[ 10-26-2002: Message edited by: Leonis ]</p>
<strong>25 days!
what are you going to do in all that time?
36 days for me
<strong>wow... that is a hell of a long time to be spent over there
what are you going to do in all that time?
36 days for me
25 days is the countdown.
I am staying there around 25 and a half days to be exact
<strong>
25 days is the countdown.
I am staying there around 25 and a half days to be exact
It's almost Xmas!!!
(I still have to write my calendar company to get that added.)
Besides, in Hawaii, I think everyone gets lei'd for Christmas, while only Romanians get lei here.