Christmas: A Celebration of Light and Birth
Christmas is a Christian festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God and the savior of the world. The word Christmas comes from the Old English term Cristes mæsse, meaning “mass of Christ”. Although the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, December 25 was chosen as the official day of celebration by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Christmas is also a secular and cultural holiday that is observed by millions of people around the world, regardless of their religious beliefs. It is a time of joy, peace, generosity, and family, marked by various traditions and customs that have evolved over the centuries.
The Origins of Christmas
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient times, when people celebrated the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The winter solstice was seen as a symbol of the rebirth of the sun and the hope for the coming spring. Many ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Celts, and Scandinavians, had festivals and rituals to honour the sun god or the return of light. Some of these festivals included decorating evergreen trees, lighting candles and bonfires, exchanging gifts, and feasting.
The early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus, as they considered it a pagan practice to honour the birthdays of gods or rulers. Instead, they focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus, which they celebrated during Easter. However, as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, it encountered many pagan religions and cultures that had their own winter solstice celebrations. In order to convert the pagans to Christianity, the church leaders decided to adopt some of their customs and traditions and incorporate them into the Christian faith. Thus, they declared December 25 as the birthday of Jesus, coinciding with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which honoured the god of agriculture and the harvest. They also adopted the symbols of evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, and wreaths, which represented eternal life, fertility, and protection.
Also Read: Christmas: The Definition, Characteristics, History, Role and Impact Explained
The Traditions of Christmas
Over the centuries, Christmas has developed into a rich and diverse holiday that has many traditions and customs that vary from country to country and from region to region. Some of the most common and popular traditions include:
- Decorating Christmas trees: The tradition of decorating evergreen trees for Christmas dates back to Germany in the Middle Ages, where people would bring fir trees into their homes and adorn them with candles, fruits, nuts, and paper flowers. The first recorded Christmas tree was set up by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther in the 16th century, who was inspired by the stars shining through the branches of a fir tree. The Christmas tree became popular in England in the 19th century, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who was German, displayed a decorated tree at Windsor Castle. The Christmas tree was also introduced to America by German immigrants and other European settlers in the 19th century.
- Exchanging gifts: The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas has several possible origins. One is the biblical story of the Magi, or the three wise men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. Another is the Roman custom of giving presents to each other during Saturnalia, such as candles, coins, dolls, and fruits. A third is the legend of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Turkey, who was known for his generosity and kindness to children. He would secretly leave gifts of money, food, or clothing for the poor and the needy. Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of children and sailors, and his feast day was celebrated on December 6. In some countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, children still receive gifts from Saint Nicholas on his feast day. In other countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy, children receive gifts from other figures, such as the Christ Child, the Three Kings, or an old woman named Befana. In America, the figure of Saint Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus, a jolly old man who lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts to children around the world on Christmas Eve, with the help of his elves and reindeer.
- Singing carols: The tradition of singing carols, or songs of praise and joy, at Christmas dates back to the 13th century, when Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order, introduced the idea of singing songs in the local language, rather than in Latin, during religious services. He also organized nativity plays, or dramatizations of the birth of Jesus, which featured songs and music. The word carol comes from the French word carole, meaning “a dance with a song”. The first carols were sung and danced in a circle, and often had themes of nature, the seasons, or the New Year. Later, carols became more focused on the Christmas story and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Some of the oldest and most famous carols include “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, and “Joy to the World”.
- Attending church: The tradition of attending church at Christmas is a way of celebrating the religious significance of the holiday and worshipping God and Jesus. The most important and solemn service is the Midnight Mass, which is held on the night of December 24, or the eve of Christmas. The Midnight Mass commemorates the moment when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and is often accompanied by candles, bells, incense, and music. Another popular service is the Christmas Day service, which is held on the morning of December 25, and usually includes readings from the Bible, prayers, hymns, and a sermon. Some churches also have special services on the days leading up to Christmas, such as the Advent service, which marks the beginning of the season of preparation and anticipation for the coming of Jesus, or the Christmas Eve service, which celebrates the arrival of Christmas.
- Sharing meals: The tradition of sharing meals at Christmas is a way of expressing gratitude, hospitality, and fellowship with family and friends. The meals vary depending on the culture, cuisine, and preferences of each country and region, but they usually consist of a main course, such as turkey, ham, goose, duck, or fish, and a dessert, such as pudding, cake, pie, or cookies. Some of the most common and traditional dishes include:
- Roast turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy, which is popular in America, Canada, and Britain.
- Roast goose with red cabbage and potato dumplings, which is popular in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia.
- Bacalhau, or salted cod, with potatoes, cabbage, and olive oil, which is popular in Portugal, Brazil, and other countries with a Portuguese influence.
- Panettone, or a sweet bread with candied fruits and nuts, which is popular in Italy, Argentina, and other countries with an Italian influence.
- Bûche de Noël, or a cake shaped like a log and decorated with chocolate and cream, which is popular in France, Belgium, and other countries with a French influence.
The History of Christmas
The history of Christmas is a long and complex one, involving many political, social, and cultural changes and influences. Some of the most important and interesting events and developments in the history of Christmas include:
- The first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25 was in Rome in 336 AD, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- The first Christmas tree was set up by Martin Luther in Germany in the 16th century, as a symbol of the light of Christ and the beauty of God’s creation.
- The first Christmas card was sent by Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant and inventor, in 1843, as a way of encouraging people to use the newly established postal service.
- The first Santa Claus was based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Turkey, who was known for his generosity and kindness to children. He was also influenced by other figures, such as Father Christmas, a personification of the spirit of Christmas in Britain, and Sinterklaas, a Dutch version of Saint Nicholas who wore a red suit and rode a white horse.
- The first Christmas cracker was invented by Tom Smith, a British confectioner, in 1847, as a novelty item for his customers. He was inspired by the French bonbons, or candies wrapped in paper with a twist at each end. He added a strip of paper that made a cracking sound when pulled apart, and later included a small toy, a joke, and a paper crown inside the cracker.
- The first Christmas lights were used by Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, in 1882, as a way of decorating his home in New York. He strung 80 red, white, and blue bulbs around his Christmas tree, creating a dazzling spectacle that attracted many visitors and reporters.
- The first Christmas broadcast was made by King George V of Britain in 1932, as a way of reaching out to his subjects around the world. He delivered a short speech on the radio, expressing his hopes and wishes for peace and goodwill. The tradition of the Christmas broadcast has been continued by his successors, including Queen Elizabeth II, who has also used television and the internet to deliver her message.
Many interesting facts about Christmas
- The first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25 was in Rome in 336 AD, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- The word Christmas comes from the Old English term Cristes mæsse, meaning “mass of Christ”. The shortened form of Christmas is Xmas or Xmass, which is derived from the Greek letter X, which is the first letter of Christ’s name in Greek.
- The tradition of decorating evergreen trees for Christmas dates back to Germany in the Middle Ages, where people would bring fir trees into their homes and adorn them with candles, fruits, nuts, and paper flowers. The first recorded Christmas tree was set up by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther in the 16th century, who was inspired by the stars shining through the branches of a fir tree.
- The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas has several possible origins. One is the biblical story of the Magi, or the three wise men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. Another is the Roman custom of giving presents to each other during Saturnalia, a festival that honored the god of agriculture and the harvest. A third is the legend of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Turkey, who was known for his generosity and kindness to children. He would secretly leave gifts of money, food, or clothing for the poor and the needy.
- The tradition of singing carols, or songs of praise and joy, at Christmas dates back to the 13th century, when Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order, introduced the idea of singing songs in the local language, rather than in Latin, during religious services. He also organized nativity plays, or dramatizations of the birth of Jesus, which featured songs and music. The word carol comes from the French word carole, meaning “a dance with a song”. The first carols were sung and danced in a circle, and often had themes of nature, the seasons, or the New Year.
- The figure of Santa Claus was based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Turkey, who was known for his generosity and kindness to children. He was also influenced by other figures, such as Father Christmas, a personification of the spirit of Christmas in Britain, and Sinterklaas, a Dutch version of Saint Nicholas who wore a red suit and rode a white horse. In America, the figure of Saint Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus, a jolly old man who lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts to children around the world on Christmas Eve, with the help of his elves and reindeer.
- In Japan, it is a tradition to eat KFC for Christmas. This started in 1974, when the fast-food chain launched a marketing campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii” or “Kentucky for Christmas”. The campaign was a huge success, and since then, millions of Japanese people order fried chicken from KFC on Christmas Eve. They need to place their orders in advance, at least two months before, to avoid long queues and sold-out signs.
