Popular Superstitious Beliefs Surrounding Christmas
Christmas is surrounded by mystery, surprises and secrets. This day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and as in any birthday, gifts are bought as part of the celebration. People decorate their homes and yards in celebration of this day and there is even a special visitor that many, especially children, look forward to with great anticipation. Christmas has also hadseveral superstitionsthat have built up around it. Some of the superstitions have been around so long that they almost seem like a tradition that has been around as long as the day itself.
Decorations
Decorating the house and yard for Christmas is almost a ritual in some places. It seems in America, the decorations go up before the feast of Thanksgiving is completed. Before very long the red, green, silver and gold ornaments are everywhere. Behind many of the decorations lay some superstitions that may seem familiar to some, but strange to others.
When decorating the tree the first star should be placed before any of the lights are put on. There is also the day that the tree should be brought in and decorated. Superstition says that the tree should be brought in the house on December 24th and decorated after the children are in bed. There is even a superstition on when the decorations should be taken down. Not before the twelfth day of Christmas in some places or in others not until the Feast of the Grand Candle mass on February second.
Candles have superstitions around them also. A candle was to be left burning in a window to brighten the path for good luck.
Greenery
One of the sights and scents that are associated with Christmas is the green color and the aroma of the evergreen. There are garlands, wreaths and, of course, the tree. This aspect of Christmas also has some beliefs and superstitions behind it. Some of the superstitions include removing all signs of greenery and when it was removed, not before February second and that children needed to a part of the removal. If any needles are left behind, it was believed that a goblin would be encountered for each needle left.
Another way of bringing good luck into the house with the greenery was to bring some of the greenery home after church; it was considered to be very lucky. If it was to continue to bring good luck to a house, it needed to be hung inside the house for the next year.
Many homes use holly as part of their decorations. It may be because of the protective powers that this plant is supposed to have. If a holly bush, with berries, was found while removing the greenery, it was considered to be sign of good luck. Plus this little bush is supposed to be the best weapon against both witches and lightening. If prickly holly is brought into the house it was believed that a man would rule the house for the next year. A woman would rule if the holly was smooth.
Superstitions are a part of every-day life and many people believe that what they state is true. For example, avoid walking under a ladder and do not allow a black cat to cross the path. Just as many believe these superstitions, many have also believed the superstitions about Christmas. In a way, they gave people something to hope for in bleak times or something to cling to in times of good fortune.
