【正文】 with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green.[19] The heartshaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolise the ing to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.[20]Nativity scenes are known from 10thcentury Rome. They were popularised by Saint Francis of Asissi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe.[21] Many different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources. The first mercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.[22]The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship.[23] The English language phrase Christmas tree is first recorded in 1835[24] and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century[23] though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century.[25][26] From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had bee even more widespread throughout Britain.[27] By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree.[28] Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.European Holly, traditional Christmas decoration.In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.[29]In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also bee a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels.In many countries a representation of the Nativity Scene is very popular, and people are encouraged to pete and create most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom. Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5. The traditional colors of Christmas are pine green (evergreen), snow white, and heart red.Music and carolsMain article: Christmas musicTrumpeter at a concert of Christmas music.The first specifically Christmas hymns that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, were austere statements of the theological doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to Arianism. Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Father39。s greetings.Christmas cards are purchased in considerable quantities, and feature artwork, mercially designed and relevant to the season. The content of the design might relate directly to the Christmas narrative with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem, or a white dove which can represent both the Holy Spirit and Peace on Earth. Other Christmas cards are more secular and can depict Christmas traditions, mythical figures such as Santa Claus, objects directly associated with Christmas such as candles, holly and baubles, or a variety of images associated with the season, such as Christmastime activities, snow scenes and the wildlife of the northern winter. There are also humorous cards and genres depicting nostalgic scenes of the past such as crinolined shoppers in idealized 19th century streetscapes.StampsMain article: Christmas stampA number of nations have issued memorative stamps at Christmastime. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mail Christmas cards, and they are popular with philatelists. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are valid for postage yearround. They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities.In 1898 a Canadian stamp was issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The stamp features a map of the globe and bears an inscription XMAS 1898 at the bottom. In 1937, Austria issued two Christmas greeting stamps featuring a rose and the signs of the zodiac. In 1939, Brazil issued four semipostal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star of Bethlehem, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child.Both the US Postal Service and the Royal Mail regularly issue Christmasthemed stamps each year.Santa Claus and other bringers of giftsMain articles: Santa Claus and Father ChristmasSinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, considered by many to be the original Santa Claus.Christmas has for many centuries been a time for the giving and exchanging of gifts, particularly between friends and family members. A number of figures of both Christian and mythical origin have been associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. Among these are Father Christmas, also known as Santa Clau