As the clock ticks and the year-end is near, the anticipation of holidays starts growing. One of the festivals celebrated in these holidays is Christmas, widely celebrated all over the world on December 25th.
On this occasion, people celebrate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, remembering the holy son of Mary, who was born to a virgin mother. The believers of Christ also believe that Jesus, as the holy son of God, was crucified on behalf of people’s sins.
On 25th December, people share Christmas gifts, wish each other Merry Christmas, decorate their homes, visit their family members, cook special food, and give away to the needy.
But why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Is there something special about this date? Let us dive into the history of Christmas and its origins!
1. History of Christmas Festival
To understand the traditions and celebrations of Christmas from the early times, it is important to analyze its origin. Let us consider the beginnings of the holy, the only son of God, and the most anticipated messiah.
1.1. The 1st and the 2nd Century
The observance of this festival was majorly evolved by paganism and Roman traditions. In the early 1st and 2nd centuries, no exact birth date or year witnessed the celebrations of Jesus’s Birth.
The Bible (Luke 2: 8) states that shepherds tended to flock at night when Jesus was born. The Scholar’s point of view was mainly theoretical but not chronological.
At this time, there was not a single evidence of the birth of Jesus Christ in the notations of initial writers called “Irenaeus” (c. 130-200) and “Tertullian” (c. 160-225).
Finally, in 200 AD, a teacher who practiced Christianity in Egypt was one of the early Christians who cited the date when Jesus was born. They claimed he was born between March and April on the 24th or 25th. However, there was a huge debate regarding the birth of Messiah.
1.2. The 3rd and the 4th Century
During the initial decades of these centuries, two dates were widely recognized. These dates were 25 December, according to the Western Roman Emperor Constantine, and 6 January, following Eastern Egypt.
Jesus’s birthday is derived specifically from the Roman almanac in the mid-fourth century, which cites the death dates of Christian bishops and martyrs. Even today, the Armenian Church observes Christmas on January 6.
The most popular reason for the arrival of Christmas dates was gathered from pagans celebrations. The Romans celebrated the “Saturnalia” festival in the last days of December.
Following this theory, Christians intentionally proposed broadening Christmas during the Roman festival rule. Despite the admiration of Christmas beginnings, it had its consequences. The authors noticed a relationship between the solstice and the support of the birth of Jesus.
A church father named “Ambrose” (c.339 – 397) narrated Jesus as the true son, they observe pagans replace Jesus as a true god.
1.3. From 12th to 19th Century
Finally, in the middle ages of the 12th century, people recognized celebrating Jesus’s birthday during the pagans festivals.
In ancient times, one of the biblical commentators and church officials decided to propose the Christmas holiday be from 6 January to 25th December. Prior Christians did not know what was Jesus’s birth date.
They usually assumed to celebrate Christmas on the pagans’ summer solstice and winter solstice festival for their intentions. Thereby, Christian celebrations flooded western and northern Europe. The Christmas tree, for instance, was tied up with medieval practices.
1.4. From 20th Century to 21st Century
In these century timeframes, the religion of Christianity is abruptly changing. Gradually, Christianity is declining in the Western world in terms of authority. When it became the original religion of the Roman Empire, it played an immense role in human values.
Communication with the gospel maintains the history of Christianity. As a result, Christianity was able to withstand regardless of the fall of Israel by keeping the central communication with society.
2. The Time When Jesus Was Born
The exact date of birth of Jesus is not found in the gospels, but most profound scholars predicted between 6 BC and 4 BC.
2000 years ago, an angel named Gabriel visited a young lady named “Mary.” According to a bible reference site, Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son named “Jesus,” who would be regarded as the son of God.
She was perplexed and anxious about this news. However, she believed and trusted God and said, “I am the servant of my Lord, so let it be.”
2.1. Travel to Bethlehem
Mary and her fiance, Joseph, stayed in “Nazareth”. Nonetheless, they had to move to Bethlehem to schedule a count organized by the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. Nazareth and Bethlehem are now recognized as Israel today.
When they reached Bethlehem, they could not shelter or accommodate as the inn was full. They spent the whole night where animals were preserved, and Jesus was born.
There was no crib available, so they laid the baby Jesus on the feeding box of animals. The feeding box had fresh hay and a comforting bed for the baby.
2.2. Shepherds Admired Jesus
At the time of night, some shepherds were roaming and taking care of their flock of sheep. Then, the angel emerged and told them that a saviour had been born.
The angel also told the shepherds that Jesus was lying in a feeding trough. Out of nowhere, a group of angels said, “Glory to the god to the highest and peace on earth.”
The shepherds ran into Bethlehem and found Jesus lying on the trough. After seeing Jesus, they widened the news, and everyone who listened to this news was in happiness.
2.3. Some Wise People Came to Meet Jesus
After that, some clever men, also known as magi, originally from eastern countries, visualized a star that indicated the birth of a King. Furthermore, they travelled to Judea around Jerusalem and Bethlehem to devote Jesus.
The king of Judea, named Herod, called the knowledgeable men to go and worship the new king. These men continued to Bethlehem and abided by the star until it stopped straight ahead of where Jesus was born.
They got to know Mary and Jesus and kneeled to worship them, they brought a lot of gifts, gold, and several ancient things.
2.4. Trip to Egypt
The King of Judea, Herod, lied when he told the men to worship Jesus. He was frightened and tensed that he would replace him as the king of Judea. Nevertheless, he was not aware that Jesus would become the king of the spiritual kingdom, but not the king of Judea.
Herod planned to search for Jesus and kill him. He became extremely frustrated when his men could not locate Jesus. He gave orders to his soldiers to go to Bethlehem and assassinate all the children who were below two years old, thinking that Jesus would be one of them.
However, the holy god told Joseph to run away to Egypt in a dream. Fortunately, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus came to Egypt in a safe environment. When King Herod became old, they came back to Nazareth.
2.5. Narrations That Cited Jesus Birth
The evidence of Jesus was also linked to the past and present. The situations mentioned in the Old Testament proposed the prophecies of Messiah in “Isaiah” Chapter 7, verse 14, and “Mathew” Chapter 1, verse 23.
Jesus was born in one of the calming situations. Likewise, he showed how God’s favour keeps up with the ones who are poor and in poverty. The Gentle, clever man later worshipped Jesus, these people were mostly Christian.
3. Traditions of Christmas Celebration
On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, people visit the church and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
As this is a major festival celebrated widely, a public holiday is declared on this day. All the Christians around the world have Christmas dinner with their loved ones.
3.1. The Christmas Trees
As a portion of solstice celebrations, the paganists decorated their homes with green trees as they were eager to wait for the spring season. All the trees remained green and did not change their colours, so people thought they held some special power.
Christians followed this tradition and decorated the trees with bells, lights, and toys.
3.2. The Santa Claus
The Christian traditions have Christian roots instead of pagans. In ancient times, in southern Turkey, a bishop named Saint Nicholas in an old Christian church was accused of his faith and was jailed. He was from a wealthy family and was known for helping the poor.
Once upon a time, he rescued three daughters from slavery. The father of these daughters did not have enough finances to get them married. Saint Nicholas saved them from these problems by tossing gold through the windows and changing their luck.
The gold he threw through the windows landed in a sock drying beside the fire. So, children started hanging socks near the fire, expecting St. Nicholas to throw gifts into their houses through windows.
In his memory, December 6th was declared as St. Nicholas Day. According to some parts of the world and their languages, he was called Sinter Class, and Americans changed this word to Santa Claus.
3.3. Christmas Traditions in American Culture
The Tradition in America is a mix of everything. A certain number of English protestants banned Christmas as it was from the pagan roots. On the other hand, natives of Europe continued to celebrate as in their homeland.
The Germans brought the Sinter Klass to America in the 16th century and Trees in the 17th century to celebrate in their society. After that, the image of Santa became a fat bearded man in a red costume in America.
3.4. The Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day and is also declared a legal holiday yearly. It is recognized to celebrate on December 24 as Western Christmas.
FAQ’s
1. What is the relationship between Jesus and Santa Claus?
There is no relation between Jesus and Santa Claus.
2. For how many days is Christmas celebrated?
The Christmas festival is celebrated for 12 days, the celebrations begin on December 25 and end on January 5, the day before Epiphany.
3. What are artificial Christmas tree setups?
It takes a very little amount of time to set up an artificial Christmas tree. Initially, it is spread, decorated from the bottom, and shaped into a cone structure.
After this, the tree looks exactly like an original Christmas tree. Various lighting in star shapes, glitters, baby socks, and bells are decorated to make it look more beautiful.
4. What is the special dish for Christmas dinner?
The primary and traditional dish for Christmas dinner is a large ham which is eaten with a mustard sauce or bread. Smoked Salmon is also served along with ham, potato, and carrots.
The conventional Christmas beverage is mulled wine that can also be alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
5. Does Christmas have pagan roots?
In ancient times, December 25 was the festival of the unconquered sun god, which indicated the revert of longer days. It was the Saturnalia festival, where people exchanged gifts and feasted.
A church in Rome started celebrating Christmas on the 25th of December in the fourteenth century under the rule of Constantine, probably due to weak pagan traditions.
Closing Thoughts
Christmas is widely celebrated around the world, specifically in Christian countries. The Holy Son God, whose name is Jesus in English and Yeshua in Hebrew, was sent by the god to bring peace and happiness on earth.
The day of December 25 is marked as the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated by the Christian faith and traditions that evolved from time to time.
All other Christmas celebrations, including Santa Claus and Jesus’s birth, are celebrated by helping the poor and the needy, playing Christmas music, gift-giving, and visiting relatives.
So, in remembrance of the birth of Christ, Christians celebrate every year around the globe on December 25th.
Last Updated on by Gourvi Gupta