'Joy to the World'
The meaning of Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the belief in God's birth as a first-century Judean man, Jesus Christ, celebrated each year on Dec. 25. Faithful observers believe the all-powerful, uncreated God became "incarnate" to redeem humanity from a fallen state by dying and rising again at Easter (though sects disagree on specifics). In recent centuries, the religious feast expanded into a major holiday season of gift-giving, celebrated by an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide.
Its timing and many of its customs trace back to ancient seasonal festivals, such as Saturnalia and Yule, when communities in Europe celebrated the winter solstice. As Christianity spread through the continent in the fourth century, church leaders placed Christmas on Dec. 25 and adopted some of these long-standing traditions.
Amid the holiday's gradual secularization, the legend of Saint Nicholas’s gift-giving and the Dutch tradition of “Sinterklaas” helped shape the modern conception of Santa Claus (what we've learned about the figure). Customs solidified in Victorian England transformed Christmas into the family centered celebration recognized today—popularizing Christmas trees, cards, and carols. The holiday season brings in nearly $1T in revenue for retailers in the US.
... Read what else we learned about the holiday here.
Also, check out ...
> See Christmas traditions from around the world. (Read)
> The title of "World's Largest Christmas Tree" is disputed. (Watch)
> Before electric lights, Christmas trees were lit with candles. (Watch)
> A Swedish town erects a giant straw Christmas goat each year—often burned down by pranksters. (View)
Home Sweet Home
Homeownership, 101
Historically, homeownership has been considered a cornerstone of the American Dream. Today, about 65% of American households own a home, and roughly 5% own more than one. Homeowners view these residences as not only a place to live, but also a path to building substantial wealth.
Centuries ago, homeownership became more common as political systems evolved to allow individuals, rather than governments, to own land. In the US, the number of homeowners increased as mortgages became more accessible: Roughly 74% of today’s US homeowners used a mortgage to finance their home.
Real estate makes up roughly half of the typical American homeowner’s household net worth. The financial benefits of homeownership include diversifying one’s financial portfolio while protecting it from inflation, building equity, and more. The numerous costs associated with homeownership are often cited in the ongoing debate over whether renting or owning makes more financial sense, including homeowners insurance, property taxes, and budgeting for maintenance and repairs.
... Read our full explainer on homeownership here.
Also, check out ...
> The vast majority of homeowners feel that they've made a good investment. (Read)
> See a guide to home buying. (Read)
> Is it better to rent or buy? (Calculate)
> The income needed to buy a home in each state. (Explore)
Homeownership, 101
Historically, homeownership has been considered a cornerstone of the American Dream. Today, about 65% of American households own a home, and roughly 5% own more than one. Homeowners view these residences as not only a place to live, but also a path to building substantial wealth.
Centuries ago, homeownership became more common as political systems evolved to allow individuals, rather than governments, to own land. In the US, the number of homeowners increased as mortgages became more accessible: Roughly 74% of today’s US homeowners used a mortgage to finance their home.
Real estate makes up roughly half of the typical American homeowner’s household net worth. The financial benefits of homeownership include diversifying one’s financial portfolio while protecting it from inflation, building equity, and more. The numerous costs associated with homeownership are often cited in the ongoing debate over whether renting or owning makes more financial sense, including homeowners insurance, property taxes, and budgeting for maintenance and repairs.
... Read our full explainer on homeownership here.
Also, check out ...
> The vast majority of homeowners feel that they've made a good investment. (Read)
> See a guide to home buying. (Read)
> Is it better to rent or buy? (Calculate)
> The income needed to buy a home in each state. (Explore)
SOURCE: 1440 NEWS
No comments:
Post a Comment