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Japanese
 1,000
years ago before Christianity it was to celebrate the Winter Solstice
- the end of winter, and welcome the arrival of spring.
Christmas
was first introduced as a Christian Celebration during the 4th century
AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine, who was converted to Christianity
and decreed that his subjects must now call their festival 'Christmas'.
It
originally ran from Dec 24th - January 6th (the 12th Night). Although
now, we always begin the celebrations on Christmas Eve Dec 24th. All
the decorations must be taken down by Jan 6th, otherwise it is considered
very unlucky.
 Father
Christmas was introduced in the 15th Century AD to England. He is based
on a 4th Century Dutch character called St Nicholas - the patron Saint
of Children. The official Feast of St Nicholas day in Holland is celebrated
on Dec 6th and this is also traditionally the day we should send our Christmas
cards - but it is no longer strictly adhered to.
Father
Christmas arrives at each house in a sleigh pulled by reindeer during
the middle of the night on Christmas Eve. He enters through the chimney
pot to fill the Christmas stockings on the mantelpiece and eat his mince
pies left out for him together with a glass of sherry.
Presents and stockings are opened on christmas day morning.
CARON COOPER / FOSSE FARMHOUSE
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