Religious Traditions

Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus each December. Whether the celebration is scriptural, musical or a living nativity, these traditions help us celebrate the miraculous birth.

Links to Religious Holiday Sites

	A Holy Christmas - extensive collection of links
	Bethlehem: The Site Where Jesus Was Born
	Children Pray: Advent & Christmas
	Christ in Christmas / Advent Resource Links
	Christmas Stories and Articles
	The Christmas Story
	Christmas in Cyberspace
	Silent Night, Holy Night

Advent Calendars

Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar, the turning over of the liturgy to the starting point of a new church year. Whether you purchase or make your own Advent calendar, try one this year! An Advent calendar helps you remember what the Christmas season is all about--the birth of Jesus.

An Advent calendar is generally a picture of a winter or holiday scene with numbered panels or doors that correspond to the number of days left until Christmas. Each day, a panel or door is opened in sequence, from the beginning of Advent to Christmas.

Religious Traditions That You Can Adopt

	Participate in the annual singing of Handel's Messiah or attend a performance of the Messiah. If your community does not perform the Messiah, purchase the tape or CD and spend an evening listening to the beauty of the music.
	Decorate a Jesse tree. A Jesse Tree is decorated with ornaments associated with Old Testament events, from creation to the birth of Jesus. In some churches a Jesse tree is used to collect clothing for the poor. The tree is decorated with hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, socks--any small item of warm clothing.
	Experience a new worship tradition during the holidays. You may want to attend a Christmas cantata, a children's Christmas pageant, a choir concert, a "Living Christmas Tree" presentation, an outdoor Living Nativity scene, or a Bell-ringing service.
	Read aloud the Christmas Story from the Bible.

Traditions from our Readers

Read Christmas traditions sent in from our readers.

If you have a Holiday tradition that you would like to share, email traditions@techdirect.com. Select submissions will be posted to the Traditions page.