| Its core dogma of the Incarnation, however, solidly established the giving and receiving of gifts as the structural principle of that recurrent yet unique event | Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas |
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| Italian children receive gifts or money on New Year's Day | Some people referred to New Year's gifts as "Christmas presents" because New Year's Day fell within the twelve days of Christmas, but in spite of the name they still were gifts given on January 1 |
Most people today trace the practice of giving gifts on Christmas Day to the three gifts that the Magi gave to Jesus.
12| The winter solstice was a time of festivity in every traditional culture, and the Christian Christmas probably took its place within this mythical context of the solar cult | But in reality it was they, together with all their fellow men, who received the gift of God through man's renewed participation in the divine life' ibid |
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| But in reality it was they, together with all their fellow men, who received the gift of God through man's renewed participation in the divine life' ibid | Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas |
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| In many European countries like Italy, Portugal and Netherlands, families start the new year by attending church services and then calling on friends and relatives | People in the United States go to church, give parties and enjoy other forms of entertainment |
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| Some people referred to New Year's gifts as "Christmas presents" because New Year's Day fell within the twelve days of Christmas, but in spite of the name they still were gifts given on January 1 | 'Children were given presents as the Jesus child received gifts from the magi or kings who came from afar to adore him |
Its core dogma of the Incarnation, however, solidly established the giving and receiving of gifts as the structural principle of that recurrent yet unique event.
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