{"id":3241,"date":"2022-12-10T04:53:59","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T09:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodgenesgenealogy.com\/?p=3241"},"modified":"2022-12-10T04:53:59","modified_gmt":"2022-12-10T09:53:59","slug":"how-our-ancestors-christmas-traditions-brightened-our-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodgenesgenealogy.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/10\/how-our-ancestors-christmas-traditions-brightened-our-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"How our ancestors’ Christmas traditions brightened our lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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“When I was a child, I remember my grandmother giving each of her grandchildren a large candy cane and $5 in an envelope. It didn’t matter how young or old we were, we all waited for and loved getting this gift at Christmas,” said Veverly Byrd-Davis of her grandmother who is now one of our ancestors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas traditions. The Good Genes Genealogy team recalls each Christmas receiving an orange or clementine, an apple, candy cane and bits of other candy in a small brown paper bag from our great-grandmother, Edna Robinson. Our dear ancestor made sure that each grandchild and children participating in the annual Christmas Eve pageant received the humble gift bags. It was a tradition born from the blend of African, European and indigenous Americans’ traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First fruits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Rwanda, African, a Christmas tree ornament honors the “first fruits” tradition of offering the food to symbolize the annual rich harvest. We hang the ornament<\/a> — a handmade, miniature basket — on our Christmas tree to symbolize the African tradition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Deeply rooted Christmas traditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Slaves, the St. Nicholas traditions, the Great Depression and the Black churches all have a common bond related to the presenting of so-called Christmas fruit bags<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Share your Christmas memories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Good Genes Genealogy team asks that you share your memories of holiday gifts. You may place them in this post and\/or make them a part of your holiday discussions with family and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Holidays<\/p>\n\n\n\n