Christmas is the globe’s most prominent Christian holiday. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they believe to be the Son of God. The word or term ‘Christmas’ is derived from Christ’s or Jesus’ Mass. Jesus died for his people and then rose again at a Mass event, which is also known as Eucharist or Communion. The ‘Christ-Mass’ service actually occurred after sunset and before dawn the next day, so the Midnight tradition began. And it was for this reason that we were given the name Christmas.
What is the significance of December 25th as a Christmas date?
The yearly Christian celebration of Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The significance of Christmas is found in the commemoration and celebration of God’s presence in our world via Jesus, God manifested in flesh. Non-Christians often observe Christmas as a seasonal festival, with popular customs such as gift-giving, eating, and caroling taking place.
Despite the fact that the exact date of Christ’s birth is uncertain, the 25th of December has been symbolically observed since the 4th century.
Scholars disagree on the actual date of Christ’s birth, and the circumstances surrounding the start of Christmas as we know it are unknown. Some third-century chronographers believed December 25, near the winter solstice, was the most likely day. The Chronographer (or Chronography) of 354, commonly known as the Philocalian Calendar, has the first documented record of a feast to commemorate Christ’s birth in the western Church.
Pope Julius I, in 350 A.D., established December 25 as the day on which the Church would remember the birth of Jesus. Many historians assume the Church sparked interest in a holiday at this time of year to counter the pagan feasts that around the solstice, although no historical source clearly explains Rome’s motivations for choosing December 25.
“Christmas” is derived from the Old English Cristes maesse, which means “Christ’s Mass.”
What Are Our Christmas Traditions?
The rich tapestry of Christmas traditions that exist today stretches back through the past from all around the world. The Yule log, which was lighted to persuade the Sun to return as part of the jol(Yule) celebration in ancient Scandinavia, may have evolved into the candles and lights associated with Christmas, which are believed to signify guiding beacons for the Christ child.
Here are two additional well-known Christmas customs, along with their origins:
- What sparked the concept for a Christmas tree?
Evergreens were thought to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and even disease in certain societies. The Feast of Adam and Eve was celebrated on December 24th throughout the Middle Ages, replete with a Paradise Tree, which was a fir tree decorated with scarlet apples. Today, utilizing decorated evergreen trees as part of the Christian celebration of Christmas is a tradition that originated in Germany over 400 years ago.
- What is the history of the tradition of giving Christmas gifts?
On the calendars (first day) of January, ancient Romans exchanged presents, a custom that expanded across the Roman Empire. Christians eventually relocated the tradition to December 25, however many Christians still offer presents on January 6, the Epiphany, which commemorates Jesus’ divine identity being revealed to the Magi.
Conclusion
The celebration of Christmas was expanded throughout the non-Western globe when Christianity moved beyond Europe and North America. Because the people were exposed to Christianity as a religion and cultural artifact of the West, Christmas festivities in these nations generally resemble Western traditions.
