just curious!
2006-11-20 04:41:40 · 8 answers · asked by b7s 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
thanks i have always wondered this!
2006-11-20 05:03:26 · update #1
Because he didn't leave a forwarding address.
2006-11-20 04:45:21 · answer #1 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Jesus' actual birthday is not even in December. It was around summer, if I remember correctly. That being said, I don't think they've had Christmas yet around that time. So the presents are likely for Jesus' birthday.
2016-03-29 02:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, Christmas has pagan roots. It wasn't officially a Christian celebration until around 300AD after it was banned for a lengthy period of time because it had pagan roots.
St Nicholas who was a bishop in the Middle Ages is believed to be the first one who passed out presents. Other cultures have a similar figure. Italy has a Strega in their folklore who is a female "Santa Claus" type figure. Even well before that, the Norse god Odin is believed to be another place where Santa and his reindeer originated.
2006-11-20 05:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A couple of theories. One, to copy the gifts presented by the Magi to Christ. Two, St. Nicholas gave out dowries about this time of year, so giving gifts evolved from that. Three, merchandisers. Four, it is just fun. Five, in some older cultures, people did give gifts to others to celebrate their own birthday.
2006-11-20 05:27:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Christmas is not really Jesus' birthday. It's an ancient European winter holiday, and the Catholic Church just adapted it to be Jesus' Birthday.
2006-11-20 05:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by tim 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had always been told it was either to symbolize the gifts from the Magi to the Christ child or to emulate the gift-giving of St. Nicholas.
2006-11-20 04:44:18 · answer #6 · answered by Bob S 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's a symbol of the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh that were given to Jesus
2006-11-20 04:53:20 · answer #7 · answered by c4sgurl 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
emulate the caring and the sharing of the magi for JESUS
2006-11-20 05:18:12 · answer #8 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋