why is Christmas is celebrated

The history of Christmas

The core belief of the Christian religion is the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

Christmas is a time to remember when he was born. 

Christmas gets its name from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus).

Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life at a mass service, which is also called Communion or Eucharist.

The only service that could happen after sunset (and before sunrise the next day) was called "Christ-Mass."

It was held at midnight. So we get the name "Christmas," which comes from the words "Christ-Mass."

No matter if they are Christian or not, people all over the world now celebrate Christmas.

It's a time when family and friends get together and think about what they're thankful for.

People, especially kids, like Christmas because it's a time for giving and receiving gifts.

The word "Yule" may have come from the Germanic word "jl" or the Anglo-Saxon word "gel," which meant "winter solstice feast."

Most likely, the words for "nativity" in other languages, like "Navidad" in Spanish, "Natale" in Italian, and "Nol" in French, all mean the same thing.

The word Weihnachten in German means "holy night."

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday.

It was celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike, with no religious elements and a gift exchange that gets more and more complicated every year. 

Santa Claus, a fictional figure, is the most important part of this nonreligious Christmas celebration.

Christmas will be on December 25, 2022, which is a Sunday.

Origin or Christmas

Early Christians knew that there was a difference between knowing the date of Jesus' birth and celebrating it in a liturgical way.

The actual celebration of the day of Jesus' birth took a long time to arrive.

During the first two hundred years of Christianity, there was a lot of pushback against celebrating the birthdays of martyrs or even Jesus.

A lot of Church Fathers didn't like how people used to celebrate birthdays when, from the church's point of view, saints and martyrs should be remembered on the dates of their deaths, which are their real "birthdays."

When is the Christmas season?

Christmas is usually celebrated on the 25th of December in the United States and all over the world, but the day of the week varies.

Here are the days of the week on which Christmas will fall for the next five years.

Why Christmas is December 25

Many people think it's because of Jesus' birth, but that's wrong.

The Bible doesn't indicate when he was born, but shepherds guarding their flocks suggest spring.

Christ's birthday wasn't celebrated until 375 years after his birth.

Pope Julius I chose the date around 350 AD, and Emperor Justinian validated it in 529 AD. (This timeline is controversial, and early Christian history research continues.)

Date wasn't random. Many historians believe the Pope and Emperor liked this date because it corresponded with traditional winter solstice rituals.

(The winter solstice is Dec. 21 or 22.)

Combining Christmas with these old celebrations allowed the church to retain the winter holiday custom while focussing the festivity on the "new" faith of Christianity.

Another hypothesis suggests choosing a date on the shortest day of the year was symbolic.

The sun became brighter each day afterward, like how the Christ child became immortal.

Christmas origin of word?

The adoption of a new religious name was a significant step in rebranding the old festival.

In truth, the word Christmas derives from Cristes maesse, which is Old English for "Christ's Mass" and refers to the Catholic tradition of celebrating Jesus with a particular mass service.

What is the origin of Christmas?

The celebration of Jesus' birth has become a worldwide festival with religious and cultural significance.

Many cultures have a tradition of celebrating the winter solstice at midwinter. Easter is the oldest Christian festival because it commemorates Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

It is two events that were central to early Christian festivities after Jesus' death.

About three centuries later, when the Christian church had grown significantly in size and power, ecclesiastical and political leaders sought a method to lead to better understanding of Christian festivities without erasing the significance of pagan rituals.

It was decided that the best answer would be to celebrate both Christmas and the winter solstice on the same day, even if that meant giving Jesus a crafted birth date.

Christmas, like other Christian celebrations, went global as Christianity did.

After that, it was adopted by many different cultures and celebrated in many different ways.

When Christmas was first celebrated

The Date of Christmas

Jesus' birthday is unknown. Why do we celebrate on December 25 yet the Bible gives no date? Early

Christians debated when to celebrate. Jesus was presumably born between 2 BCE/BC and 7 BCE/BC, possibly in 4 BCE/BC (there is no 0 - the years start from 1 BC/BCE to 1).

In 336, during Constantine's reign, Christmas was first celebrated on December 25. (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor).

This wasn't a Roman state festival.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 according to several traditions and interpretations.

The Annunciation, the day Mary was told she would have Jesus, is still honored on March 25th. After nine months, it's December 25th.

Some early Christians believed the world was created on March 25th and that Jesus was conceived and died on the same day.

Near the March/Vernal Equinox was selected (when the date and night are of equal length in March).

Jesus died on Nisan 14, the Jewish Passover festival. The Jewish calendar is lunar, thus it moves with the Gregorian calendar.

Ephrem the Syrian (306–373) said Jesus was conceived on Nisan 10.

March 25th became a 'fixed' date on the Gregorian calendar to mark 'movable' Jewish dates.

It's unknown how December 25 became Jesus' birthday. New Testament offers no clues.

Sextus Julius Africanus identified December 25 as Jesus' birth date in 221; it became universally accepted.

December 25 is the Christianization of the Roman celebration dies Solis invicti nati ("day of the birth of the unconquered sun").

It honored the winter solstice as a symbol of the sun's resurrection, the end of winter, and the beginning of spring and summer.

After December 25 became widely acknowledged as Jesus' birth date, Christian writers often linked the sun's rebirth to the birth of the Son.

This theory says the Christian church was willing to adopt a pagan festival when the early church was determined to separate itself from pagan beliefs and customs.

A second perspective identifies the spring equinox as the date of the world's formation and the fourth day of creation, when the light was formed, as the day of Jesus' conception (i.e., March 25). 

Jesus' birthday was December 25, nine months later.

Jesus' birth was once honored with his baptism on January 6.

Christmas began to be celebrated with a liturgy in the 9th century, although it never surpassed Good Friday or Easter in importance.

Protestant churches hold Christmas candlelight services late on December 24. Roman Catholic churches conduct the first Christmas mass at midnight.

A "lessons and carols" service interweaves Christmas carols with Scripture readings chronicling redemption history from the Fall in Eden through Christ's birth.

E.W. Benson's service has become popular at Cambridge.

Contemporary customs in the West

None of the modern Christmas traditions derive from theological or liturgical assertions, and the majority are quite recent.

Sebastian Brant, a humanist of the Renaissance, noted in Das Narrenschiff (1494;

The Ship of Fools) the practice of inserting fir tree branches inside homes.

Even though the date and origin of the Christmas tree custom are disputed, it appears that fir trees decked with apples were first observed in Strasbourg around 1605.

In 1611, a Silesian duchess was the first person to place candles on such trees.

The Advent wreath, composed of fir branches and four candles representing the four Sundays of the Advent season, is even more recent, especially in North America.

The custom, which originated in the 19th century but has roots in the 16th, initially involved a fir wreath with 24 candles (the 24 days before Christmas, beginning on December 1),.

But the difficulty of having so many candles on the wreath led to the number being decreased to four.

A similar tradition is the Advent calendar, which gives 24 openings to be opened daily beginning on December 1.

According to legend, the calendar was designed in the nineteenth century by a Munich housewife who became tired of being asked again when Christmas would arrive.

In 1851, the first commercial calendars were published in Germany.

As evidenced by the placing of Christmas trees in sanctuaries even before December 25, the commercialization of Christmas has led to a blurring of the traditional liturgical difference between Advent and the Christmas season.

End of the 18th century, giving family members gifts became common.

Theologically, the feast day reminded Christians of God's gift of Jesus to humanity, while the Magi's visit to Bethlehem showed Christmas was about presenting gifts.

The 15th-century tradition of giving gifts contributed to the perception that Christmas was a secular family event.

This is why Puritans in Old and New England disliked Christmas and banned it in England and America.

Christmas original songs

Several English "Christmas" carols, such as :-

• "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and
• "Deck the Halls,"

It highlight the secular family holiday tradition of Christmas.

It's also apparent in the 19th-century practice of sending Christmas cards.

The origin of Santa Claus

In Austria and Germany, the Christ Child is identified as the gift-giver during the family celebration.

St. Nicholas brings candies and other presents to children in some European countries on his feast day (December 6).

The poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (better known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas") linked Saint Nicholas' gift-giving duty in the days before Christmas to Santa Claus.

The title of Santa Claus, his attire (a variant of bishop's garb), and the job of questioning children about their past behavior reflect his Christian roots, although he is a secular figure.

Santa Claus wears red swimming trunks and a white beard in Australia, where people attend outdoor carol concerts and have Christmas supper on the beach.

Most European countries exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, December 24, in honor of Jesus' birth.

North Americans exchange gifts on December 25 morning.

In 17th- and 18th-century Europe, families exchanged gifts after Christmas mass.

When the 24th became gift-giving night, Christmas mass was moved to the afternoon.

Except for Catholic and certain Lutheran and Episcopal churches, most North American churches no longer hold services on December 25.

This is a noteworthy example of how societal traditions influence liturgical practices.

Under Christian influence, most European countries mark December 26 as a second Christmas holiday.

This practice echoes the old Christian ritual idea that Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost should last a week.

The weeklong celebration was reduced to Christmas and December 26.

Christmas dates

Early Christians also celebrated Christmas on January 6, when they also celebrated the Epiphany and Jesus' baptism.

Like the December 25th date, this was based on Jesus' death/conception from April 6th.

Now Epiphany celebrates the Wise Men's visit to Jesus, but then it commemorated both.

Jesus' Baptism, when he began his ministry, was once considered more important than his birth.

Hanukkah begins on Kislev 25. (the month in the Jewish calendar that falls at a time that is roughly equivalent to December).

After many years, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication and reopening of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus was a Jew, therefore this may have helped the early Church choose December 25.

The Gregorian Calendar was first created by Pope Gregory XIII in the year 1582.

Before that, the Julian Calendar was utilized (named after Julius Caesar). 

The Roman calendar had too many days, therefore, the Gregorian calendar is more accurate.

After the transition, the 4th of October 1582 became the 15th. In 1752, the UK switched calendars. The next day was September 14.

Orthodox and Coptic churches follow the Julian Calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7. (This is when December 25th would have been on the Julian calendar). 

On January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates.

Some parts of the UK still name January 6th 'Old Christmas' since this would have been Christmas Day if the calendar hadn't been adjusted.

Some folks claimed the new calendar 'cheated' them of 11 days.

Early Christians believed Jesus was the world's light, thus, they celebrated his birth at this time.

Some winter Solstice practices, like Holly, Mistletoe, and Christmas carols, became Christianized.

St Augustine of Canterbury probably started the widespread celebration of Christmas in large parts of England by introducing Christianity to Anglo-Saxon regions in the 6th century.

Other Celtic parts of Britain were already Christian, but there are few documents about how they celebrated Jesus' birth.

Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to Rome, where the church adopted the Roman Calendar, hence, western countries celebrate Christmas on December 25.

Then Britons and Western Europeans celebrated Christmas on December 25.

When was Jesus born?

There's a practical reason why Jesus may not have been born in the winter.

Winters can be very cold, so shepherds probably didn't keep sheep on the slopes (which can get snowy).

In March or April, Jews celebrate Passover.

This event commemorates the Jews' departure from Egypt some 1500 years before Jesus' birth.

Passover sacrifices in Jerusalem's Temple required several lambs.

Jews from the Roman Empire flocked to Jerusalem for Passover, so the Romans might have taken a census.

The census brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (Bethlehem is about six miles from Jerusalem).

In September or October, Jews celebrate Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. It's the most biblical festival. 

After escaping Egypt and spending 40 years in the desert, Jews remember how much they relied on God.

It commemorates the harvest's end.

During the holiday, Jews reside in temporary shelters (the name 'tabernacle' comes from the Latin for 'booth' or "hut").

Many Bible scholars believe that Sukkot could have been the time of Jesus' birth because there was 'no room in the inn' Many Jews went to Jerusalem for the holiday and carried their own tents/shelters.

Joseph and Mary couldn't carry a tent while Mary was pregnant.

Christmas history of

Early Christmas celebrations were a mix of pagan and Christian customs.

This led to things like bonfires, trick-or-treating, and street parties like Mardi Gras.

When the Pilgrims got to America, they forbade it in several communities because of its reputation for depravity.

Christmas was not lost to history, but rather began to enjoy a rise in popularity around the middle of the 1800s.

Christmas was shown in a happy, family-friendly way in A Christmas Carol and The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

Their imaginary tales inspired Victorians. President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas a national holiday on June 26, 1870.

Since then, Americans have built their own Christmas customs by adopting those of others and developing new ones.

Families' Christmas customs bring meaning and joy.

There is still a religious component, and many people attend church the night before or the day of Christmas, but most American Christmas festivities focus on secular activities.

Pew Research Center survey: 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, although less than half do so for religious reasons.

What's Santa's origin?

The cheerful old elf with the magical sleigh comes from the narrative of a Turkish monk named St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas became a saint after giving his wealth to the poor. He's the patron saint of children, and his day is Dec. 6.

Early Dutch colonists in the United States named Santa Claus. They carried on the tradition of celebrating the saint's death.

They called him "Sint Nikolaas," which transformed into Santa Claus.

In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem about Santa that talked about his gifts, his "nice" or "naughty" list, his reindeer, and his funny antics in the chimney. 

The famous poem associated with Christmas "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" begins with the line "Twas the night before Christmas."

Coca-Cola added Santa's grandfatherly style. Early 1900s Coke ads showed a rosy-cheeked, white-bearded man with twinkling eyes.

It became the conventional image of Santa, who's now the main character in many children's Christmas novels and movies.

Modern and Traditional practices of Christmas

December 25 is Christmas in Eastern Orthodox churches.

This day corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar for people who use the Julian calendar.

Oriental Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas differently.

In Armenia, the first country to officially adopt Christianity, the church follows its own calendar; January 6 is Christmas. 

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church celebrates Christmas on January 7 since the 4th century. At the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Syriac Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 6 with the Armenian Apostolic Church. 

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria congregations follows December 25 on the Julian calendar or Khiak 29 on the old Coptic calendar.

Other contemporary customs of Christmas

Christmas celebrations grew outside Europe and North America as Christianity spread.

In many of these countries, Christians aren't the majority, hence the religious festival isn't a cultural one.

The inhabitants of these countries were introduced to Christianity as a Western religion and cultural artefact.

Christmas is celebrated differently in South and Central America.

In Mexico, days before Christmas, Mary and Joseph's hunt for a place to stay is recreated, and children shatter a toy-filled piata. 

Christmas in Brazil is a summer event with picnics, fireworks, and midnight mass celebrated by priests.

In some parts of India, mango trees or bamboo trees substitute evergreen Christmas trees, and houses are decked with mango leaves and paper stars.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that isn't frequently celebrated.

Japan is another example. In this primarily Shinto and Buddhist society, secular components of the holiday, including Christmas trees and decorations, are extensively observed.

Conclusion

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts. It's also a time when people think about what they're thankful for.

Christmas gets its name from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus), which was held at midnight on December 25th, 12th Century.

The word "Yule" may have come from the Germanic word "jl" or the Anglo-Saxon word "gel," which meant "winter solstice feast".

The word Weihnachten in German means "holy night". Christmas will be on December 25, 2022.