Merry Christmas day 2023 - Origin, History, and Why Do We Celebrate It

Dive into the enchanting world of festive cheer as the globe unites in celebration on the 25 of December which is celebrated as Happy Christmas day every year across the world with utmost fun and enthusiasm. Read on to learn the history of Christmas, its significance, and the celebration of the day. 

The most significant holiday for Christians worldwide is Christmas, which is observed in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they see as the Son of God. People celebrate a Happy Christmas Day 2023 with their family, friends, and other relatives with joy and affection.

There are many traditions and interpretations of the festival and what is celebrated. The term “Christmas” comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A mass service, also called Communion or Eucharist sometimes, where Jesus died for his people and returned to life. This is why the 'Christ-Mass' is the only service that took place after dusk, i.e. sunset, and before sunrise the next day, so people had it at midnight. This is the way we got the name Christ-Mas, which is Christmas.

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What is Christmas?

A long time ago, in a world filled with beliefs and customs, there was a special day that echoed through history. It was Christmas, a celebration filled with love, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, a respected leader in Christianity. Every year, people from all around the world, who follow Christianity, gathered to honor this important day, remembering the miraculous event of Jesus being born. Christmas wasn't just about religion; it became a worldwide celebration, bringing joy and goodwill to everyone and weaving itself into the cultural traditions of different nations.

Origin of Christmas Day

Why is 25 December Christmas day on each year? Most people think it is celebrated as the birth date of Jesus Christ, but no one knows the real birth date of Jesus. The Bible has no date regarding the birth of Jesus. The early Christians had many arguments regarding the birth of Jesus. 

The first recorded date of celebrating Christmas in the Roman Church was on 25 December in 336 AD, during the time of Roman Emperor Constantine. He was the first Christian Roman Emperor who had adopted Christianity as the effective religion of the empire. This was when Christmas started, and people started following the new religion. 

Later in 529 AD, Pope Julius I declared Happy Christmas Day a civic holiday and announced the date of December 25th to be the date to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. However, there are many different traditions and arguments towards the background of 25 December Christmas Day.

According to a primitive Christian tradition, the day when Mary was informed that she would give birth to a special child, Jesus (called the Annunciation), was on March 25th. The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus estimated Jesus’s conception to this date, which, after 9 months, is December 25th. Hence, the day is celebrated as Happy Christmas day. 

However, March 25th was also the day some early Christians believed the world was created and even the date Jesus died when he was an adult. 

December 25th also marked the celebration of “Winter Solstice” and the popular Roma festival called the “Saturnalia”. 

Winter Solstice is considered the darkest day of the year, where there is a short time gap between the sun rising and sun setting that takes place on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. The pre-Christians/pagans celebrate this mid-winter festival to commemorate the sun winning over the darkness of winter. They lit bonfires and candles to keep the darkness away. 

In Scandinavia and Northern Europe, the Winter Solstice is known as Yule. In Eastern Europe, it is known as Koleda, while in Iranian/Persian culture, the day is known as Yalda night or Shab-e-Cheleh. People come together to eat, drink and recite poetry.

Saturnalia, the Roman festival, was celebrated between December 17 and 23. Saturn, their deity of agriculture, is honoured on this day. They celebrated the birth of Mithra, their sun god, on December 25.

So, when was Christmas Day first celebrated? It was in Rome on December 25, AD 336, by Roman Emperor Constantine.

A Festive Countdown: The 12 Days of Christmas

In a magical holiday time, the "12 Days of Christmas" kicked off, spreading joy and tradition. From December 25th to January 5th, each day brought a unique gift, like partridges in pear trees, shiny golden rings, and lords who loved to dance. Families joyfully followed this festive countdown, exchanging gifts and sharing happiness throughout the season. It was a special time when everyone came together, creating cherished memories filled with laughter and the warmth of holiday traditions.

Origin of the Christmas Tree

Long ago, during the ancient times, Christmas had a different story to tell. It was a time when people, following various traditions, celebrated the winter solstice by decorating their homes with greenery. The green symbolized hope for prosperity and the promise of spring. Among these Christmas day decorations, the evergreen Fir trees held a special place, believed to possess unique powers. Romans, during their festive Saturnalia, adopted this tradition, adorning their homes with Fir trees decked in ornaments. The Greeks, too, seemed to have a similar custom, decorating trees in honor of their gods. It's a tale that connects diverse cultures through shared festive practices.

Do you know that the first ever decorated Christmas tree took place in Riga, Latvia, in 1510? In Germany, people decorated the first Christmas tree with apples, wafers, and sweets. It was in the 19th century, the first artificial Christmas tree was developed. 

Who is Santa Claus? Why is he Famous?

Wait!! How did we get our Santa Claus? The origin of Santa Claus is based on the life of Saint Nicholas, a real-life, historical follower of Jesus Christ. St. Nicholas was born in Turkey around 280 AD and became a saint after giving away all his wealth to aid the poor and the needy. He is popularly known as the patron saint of children and is remembered on December 6th. On Christmas eve, Santa Claus distributes gifts to the kids. People eat cakes, feast, and express joy and happiness.

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Why is Christmas called Xmas?

Xmas is another name for Christmas. But why? The Greek letter chi/X is the letter that resembles an X in the Greek alphabet. It is Christ's initial in the Greek alphabet. Christians utilised the letter X as a symbol to identify themselves as members of the historic Christian church. Because Christmas is a combination of “Christ” and “mas”, Xmas and Christmas imply the same thing in Greek.

How is Christmas Celebrated?

Now you know a few facts about the history of Merry Christmas day. People celebrate this day with delight, cheerfulness and excitement. On the occasion, people go to church, sing carols, exchange gifts, decorate their homes in Christmas themes and enjoy family feasts together. Also, special meals are prepared out of potatoes, vegetables, turkey, gravy, etc. Additionally, people exchange greeting cards and gifts with friends and family.

One of the major attractions of Christmas day 2023 is the nativity play, where people re-enact the nativity of Jesus. Giant Christmas trees are adorned with the traditional colours of the festivities in red, green, and gold. These colours signify various aspects associated with the life of Jesus Christ.   

Christmas is celebrated as a festival in the Lutheran Church with a grand feast. It is very common on this day. On Christmas Eve, many churches organize exceptional candlelight services.

Christmas Day Prayer:

On Christmas, many people take a moment to say a special prayer. It's like having a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend, but instead, it's with a higher power. People might thank the universe, God, or any spiritual force for the love and happiness in their lives. They also often ask for blessings for their family and friends, and for peace and goodwill to spread all over the world. It's a way of sharing gratitude and spreading positive vibes.

Christmas Day Wishes:

Wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" is like giving them a big, warm hug through words. People share wishes to spread happiness and good feelings. You might wish someone a joyful and peaceful Christmas, or you could say something like, "May your days be merry and bright." It's a way of letting people know you care about them and want them to have a wonderful time during the holiday season. Wishes can be as simple as a kind message or as elaborate as a heartfelt card, all with the aim of making someone's Christmas extra special.

In essence, both prayers and wishes during Christmas are about sharing love, expressing gratitude, and sending positive vibes to those around us. It's a beautiful way to connect with the spirit of the season and show kindness to others.

Some Christmas Day Facts:

1. Santa's Many Names: Santa Claus goes by different names around the world. In England, he's Father Christmas, while in France, he's known as Père Noël. No matter what you call him, he's the jolly guy who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The story of Rudolph, the reindeer with a shiny red nose, was created in 1939. He became a star in a Christmas song and a popular character in Christmas stories. Rudolph's bright nose helps Santa navigate through the night sky!

3. Christmas Colors: Red and green are the traditional colors of Christmas. Red represents the festive spirit and warmth, while green symbolizes the evergreen trees and the hope of spring's return.

4. Mistletoe Tradition: Kissing under the mistletoe is a fun tradition. It's believed to bring good luck and love. So, if you find yourself under the mistletoe with someone special, a kiss is in order!

5. Christmas Stockings: Hanging stockings for Santa to fill with gifts is a charming tradition. It is said to have originated from a legend about a kind man named St. Nicholas, who helped three poor sisters by leaving gold coins in their stockings.

6. Christmas Cards: The custom of sending Christmas cards started in the 19th century in England. Today, people all over the world exchange festive cards to spread holiday cheer.

7. The Biggest Christmas Present: The largest Christmas present ever was the Statue of Liberty! France gifted it to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship, and it arrived on American shores on Christmas Day.

8. Christmas Cookies: Baking cookies during the holiday season is a sweet tradition. Gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and candy canes are some popular treats that people enjoy making and sharing.

9. The 12 Days of Christmas: The famous song "The 12 Days of Christmas" isn't just a catchy tune. It's also a countdown to the days between Christmas Day and the Epiphany on January 6th, celebrating the arrival of the Magi or Wise Men.

Conclusion

Now that you're aware of the diverse traditions and beliefs woven into the history of Christmas, revel in the joy of this day. It's a time of celebration, particularly for kids who eagerly anticipate gifts from family and the beloved Santa Claus, a central figure in Christmas festivities. Make the day even more special by celebrating with your family and engaging your children in delightful Christmas arts and crafts activities. It's a wonderful way to add an extra touch of excitement and creativity to their holiday experience.