Christmas celebration | Birth of Jesus | Top Facts | Gifts
Deepak Kumar- Dec 21, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 2, 2024
Table of Contents:
Background
Christmas is a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed on December 25th every year . The festival has its roots in the 4th century and was set on December 25th to coincide with pagan festivals . Over time, diverse cultures incorporated customs like gift-giving and feasts. In the Middle Ages, caroling gained popularity, spreading joy.
Today, Christmas is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike, and is marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role. Now days this festival is being celebrated by the all no matter what religion they belong to. In this articles I will share about the Christmas celebration Birth of Jesus, Top Facts and Gifts ideas for this eve.
History and origin of the Christmas?
Consequence upon the birth of Jesus Christ Christmas Eve is celebrated in Christian tradition. Originating in the 4th century, the date was set on December 25 to coincide with pagan festivals. Over time, diverse cultures incorporated customs like gift-giving and feasts. In the Middle Ages, caroling gained popularity, spreading joy. The Puritans frowned upon festivities, but by the Victorian era, Christmas trees and cards became widespread.
What is the significance of Christmas ?
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of the Jesus Christ and it holds very important significance as a joyous celebration worldwide, symbolizing love, peace, and togetherness, promoting goodwill and kindness. Families of Christian unite, exchanging gifts and relishing festive feasts. Decorations illuminate homes, fostering a warm, festive spirit.
Beyond religious connotations, Christmas fosters a universal sense of generosity, encouraging acts of charity and compassion. The holiday season promotes reflection, gratitude, and bonding, emphasizing the importance of spreading happiness.
Why Christmas celebrated on 25th December?
The exact date of Jesus' birth is not specified in the Bible, so December 25th was chosen by early Christians to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivals. December 25th is celebrated as Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. This strategic selection aimed to integrate Christianity into existing celebrations, making it more acceptable. Over the time, December 25th became widely accepted as Jesus' birthday, leading to the global celebration of Christmas. The festive day emphasizes joy, love, and goodwill, with traditions like gift-giving and festive decorations fostering a sense of unity and happiness among people worldwide. Present time this festival is being celebrated by the all no matter what religion they belong to.
Christmas celebration Birth of Jesus Top Facts Gifts
Top interesting fact about Christmas;
Christmas is a Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians regard as the son of God.
Not all Christians celebrate Christmas on the same day. In countries with significant Orthodox Christian populations, like Russia, Ukraine, and Romania, Christmas Day is observed on January 7th. Some Greek Orthodox Christians also mark Christmas on the same date.
During the Christmas season, people worldwide indulge in festive traditions.
Not many know that in 1644, Christmas celebrations faced prohibition in England and subsequently extended to the English Colonies in America.
Christmas trees gained popularity in Victorian Britain but first appeared in 16th-century Germany.
The top six Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin.
You will be surprised to know that over 40 years ago, KFC launched a brilliant marketing campaign that successfully positioned itself as the ultimate Christmas dinner choice. The impact of this campaign is still evident today, as people across Japan eagerly flock to KFC to place their Christmas orders, often making reservations up to two months in advance.
While Christmas-themed TV shows and movies abound, Sweden has a unique tradition. Instead of the usual fare, Swedes prefer to gather and watch Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve—a tradition that dates back to 1960.
During Christmas in Poland, a distinctive tree decoration stands out: the spider web. This tradition stems from a captivating legend that recounts a spider weaving a blanket for Baby Jesus in the manger. In Polish culture, spiders symbolize goodness and prosperity during the festive season.
It is said that Santa Clause lives at the North Pole with his sweet wife. There he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves and receives several letters from children asking for Christmas gifts.
The first known date of Christmas being rejoiced on December 25th was in 336 AD, through the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine who was the first Christian Roman Emperor. After some years, Pope Julius I formally announced that the birth of Jesus would be rejoiced on the 25th December.
why is Christmas day celebrated on 25th December ?
The exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown, but December 25th was chosen as the date of Christmas Day by the early Christian church. This is because it was around the time of the pagan Roman holiday Saturnalia, which was a popular celebration of light and renewal.
Who was Santa Claus ?
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas, is a legendary figure with origins rooted in both Christian traditions and folklore. The modern depiction of Santa Claus has evolved over centuries and is a amalgamation of various cultural influences.
The historical figure that contributed to the Santa Claus legend is Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop from Myra (in modern-day Turkey). Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness, particularly towards children and the needy. Over time, stories of his deeds spread, and he became a symbol of gift-giving and benevolence.
Who invented Santa Claus ?
The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to a monk named St Nicholas who was born in Turkey around A. D. 280. St. Nicholas gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick, becoming known as the protector of children and sailors.
St. Nicholas first entered American popular culture in the late 18th century in New York, when Dutch families gathered to honor the anniversary of the death of “Sint Nikolaas” (Dutch for Saint Nicholas), or “Sinter Klaas” for short. “Santa Claus” draws his name from this abbreviation.
In 1822, Episcopal minister Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known today by its first line: “‘T was The Night Before Christmas.” The poem depicted Santa Claus as a jolly man who flies from home to home on a sled driven by reindeer to deliver toys.
The iconic version of Santa Claus as a jolly man in red with a white beard and a sack of toys was immortalized in 1881, when political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Moore's poem to create the image of Old Saint Nick we know today.
Christmas gift ideas;
On the occasion of Christmas, we should give such gifts which will be useful in someone’s life and preserve the memories along with the gifts given. The gifts could be given to loving ones on this Eve:
1. We can donate food, warm clothes, bedding items, blankets etc. to the needy persons residing near us.
2. Give home decoration items, Cholclates, Christmas cards, Christmas dress, Christmas Tree, Christmas candles, Christmas mug, photo frame, wallet, watches, cosmetic items, deo & perfumes, warm scaraf, warm shocks, warm gloves etc.
3. You can also gift equity shares to loving ones which can be redeem in future.
Top Christmas Churches to Visit in India :
Christ Church in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: A historical Neo-Gothic church in the midst of the Himalayas
Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa: A UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the remains of St. Francis Xavier
St. Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai, Maharashtra: One of the oldest churches in Mumbai with Gothic architecture
St. Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata, West Bengal: A prominent landmark in Kolkata known for its Victorian architecture
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji, Goa: A picturesque church with a blend of Portuguese and Goan traditions
Here are more churches to visit in India for Christmas ¹ ²:
St. Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata, West Bengal: An Indo-Gothic church with captivating architecture
St. Thomas Cathedral in Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The first church in India, established by St. Thomas in 52 AD
Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount in Mumbai, Maharashtra: A 300-year-old church and a popular place for midnight mass
Mary Help of Christians Cathedral in Shillong, Meghalaya: A beautiful church in a city that celebrates Christmas with zeal
Domus Dei Cathedral in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu: A must-visit church in a city with a pleasant December weather
St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Bangalore, Karnataka: A beautiful church in a city known for its culinary delights
St. Michael’s Cathedral Catholic Church in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: A beautiful church in a snow-laden hilly area
St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Ooty, Tamil Nadu: A stunning architectural church in a picturesque hill station
St. Mary’s Church in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir: A beautiful church in a hill station known for its winter sports and snow-covered landscapes
Embracing the Spirit of Christmas: A Guide to Praying on Christmas Eve;
Find a quiet and peaceful spot: Take a few moments to find a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably and focus on your prayer.
Start with a prayer of gratitude: Begin by expressing your gratitude to God for the gift of life, love, and family.
Reflect on the Christmas story: Read the Christmas story from the Bible (Luke 2:1-20) and reflect on the birth of Jesus, the savior of humanity.
Pray for loved ones: Offer prayers for your family, friends, and loved ones, asking God to bless and protect them.
Pray for the world: Offer prayers for peace, love, and harmony in the world, and for those who are struggling or in need.
End with a prayer of thanksgiving: Close your prayer by thanking God for the gift of Jesus and the joy of Christmas.
Remember, prayer is a personal conversation with God, so feel free to express yourself from the heart. May your Christmas Eve prayer be blessed with joy, peace, and love!
Summary;
Christmas Eve is a special night that fills our hearts with joy, love, and gratitude. Let's make the most of this magical night by spreading love, kindness, and cheer to those around us. May your Christmas Eve be blessed with happiness, peace, and harmony!
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