Aarti Deegwal
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people worldwide. The traditional Christmas narrative, known as the Nativity of Jesus, recounts that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, with Joseph by her side. The customs associated with Christmas vary across countries and include gift-giving, completing an Advent calendar, Christmas music, viewing Nativity scenes, exchanging Christmas cards, attending church services, sharing special meals, and displaying various decorations.
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to early Christian centuries, with the earliest church records indicating that Christians were celebrating the birth of Jesus. Over time, Christmas has evolved from a raucous, drunken carnival-like festival to a tamer, family-oriented celebration. Today, it is a time for gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts, and spreading goodwill.
For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas lies in their belief that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for humanity's sins. This faith in God's incarnation as Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Christmas celebration, reminding believers of God's love and salvation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theme | Faith in God, Christmas |
| Main colours | Gold, red |
| Symbols | Star of Bethlehem, angels, baby Jesus |
| Mood | Peaceful |
What You'll Learn
The birth of Jesus Christ
The story of the Nativity begins with the Emperor Augustus ordering a census, requiring Joseph and the pregnant Mary to make the 150-kilometre journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Upon their arrival, Mary goes into labour, and with no room available at the inn, she gives birth to Jesus in a stable, laying him in a manger.
During this time, an angel appears to a group of shepherds watching their flocks in a nearby field, telling them of the birth of the Saviour and Messiah, Jesus Christ. The shepherds immediately set out to find the baby, whom they find lying in a manger, as the angels had described.
After some time, three wise men, or magi, see a brilliant star in the sky, which they follow to Bethlehem. They find Jesus and worship him, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men then return home by a different route, having been warned in a dream that King Herod, who wanted to kill the baby, did not intend to worship him.
The birth of Jesus is celebrated annually on December 25th by Christians around the world, in a holiday known as Christmas.
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The Star of Bethlehem
There has been much debate about what the Star of Bethlehem was. Some say it was a miracle, while others claim it was a natural astronomical phenomenon. Some believe it was a comet, a nova, a supernova, or a conjunction of several planets.
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Christmas cards
The traditional greeting on a Christmas card is "Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". However, some people prefer to include a poem, prayer, or Biblical verse, while others opt for a more secular message with an inclusive "Season's Greetings".
The design of Christmas cards often relates directly to the Christmas story, with illustrations of the Nativity, or Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem, a white dove, or angels. Other cards might feature mythical figures like Santa Claus, or objects associated with Christmas such as candles, holly, and baubles.
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Christmas carols
Many well-known carols focus on the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. These include "We Three Kings", "Good King Wenceslas", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Joy to the World", "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen", "Away in a Manger", "Once in Royal David's City", "Angels from the Realms of Glory", "The First Noel", "The Holly and the Ivy", "Ding Dong! Merrily on High", "See Amid the Winter's Snow", "In the Bleak Mid-Winter", and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear".
Other Christmas carols are related to St Stephen's Day, St John's Day, the Feast of Holy Innocents, St Sylvester's Day, and the Epiphany. For example, "Good King Wenceslas" is a carol for St Stephen's Day, and "We Three Kings" is an Epiphany song.
Some Christmas carols are not explicitly about Christmas but have become associated with the festive season. For example, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is an Advent chant, and "Deck the Halls" has no religious references.
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Christmas trees
The religious significance of Christmas trees can be traced back to their historical and cultural roots. In ancient times, people used plants and trees for religious purposes. For example, ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun god, Ra, and brought green palm rushes into their homes to symbolise the triumph of life over death. Similarly, the Romans decorated their homes with leafy greens and boughs during Saturnalia, their mid-winter festival. Pre-Christian pagans in Europe also worshipped trees and their deities within groves.
The use of evergreen trees as a symbol of eternal life is another factor contributing to the religious significance of Christmas trees. In Northern Europe, priests decorated temples with evergreen branches to represent immortality and eternal life. Christians later incorporated this symbolism into their religious beliefs, associating the evergreen tree with the Tree of Life in Eden and Calvary.
However, it is essential to note that the Bible does not specifically mention Christmas trees. Jeremiah 10:1-5 in the Bible warns against idol worship, and some interpret this as a reference to avoiding the worship of idols like trees. Additionally, the origin of Christmas trees as a tradition came years after the Bible was written and the birth of Jesus, which is the central event of the Christmas celebration.
The adoption of Christmas trees as a holiday tradition has evolved over time and through different cultures. In the early 1500s, German Christians decorated trees or pyramid-shaped wood stacks in their homes, and this practice later spread to other parts of Europe. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world when German relatives of the British royal family brought the custom to Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In summary, the religious significance of Christmas trees depends on one's perspective and cultural background. While some Christians view Christmas trees as religious symbols connected to their faith, others see them as festive decorations without inherent religious meaning. Ultimately, the decision to view Christmas trees as religious symbols is a personal and cultural interpretation.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The traditional Christmas narrative, recounted in the New Testament, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary.
The traditional colours of Christmas decorations are red, green, and gold. Red symbolises the blood of Jesus shed during his crucifixion, green symbolises eternal life, and gold was one of the three gifts of the Magi, symbolising royalty.
Popular Christmas traditions include gift-giving, completing an Advent calendar, Christmas music and caroling, viewing a Nativity play, exchanging Christmas cards, attending church services, enjoying a special meal, and displaying various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.
The biblical reference for Christmas can be found in the Gospel of Luke, where it is written that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, with angels proclaiming him as a saviour for all people.
