Why Christmas so Special?

Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died and then came back to life.

Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

German immigrants brought their tradition of putting lights, sweets and toys on the branches of evergreen trees placed in their homes. This tradition of setting up a Christmas tree soon spread to many American homes.

Since Christmas Eve is not usually an official federal holiday, most people have to work. However, it is a partial day off or a full day off in some states. Many workplaces hold Christmas parties or celebrations, so there is a celebratory air to the day.

The Dutch brought Sinter Klaas with them to New York in the 1600’s. The Germans brought their tree traditions in the 1700’s. Each celebrated their own way within their own communities. It wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the American Christmas began to take shape.

Although no date is indicated in the gospels, early Christians connected Jesus to the Sun through the use of such phrases as “Sun of righteousness.” The Romans marked the winter solstice on December 25. The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336.

The date of birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources but most biblical scholars assume a year of birth between 6 and 4 BC.

The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, possibly to weaken pagan traditions.

And in December 1889 President Benjamin Harrison began the tradition of setting up a Christmas tree at the White House. Christmas had finally become an American holiday tradition.

Metallic accessories and clothing pieces are fashionable for Christmas. Traditionally speaking, Christmas fashion tends to lean toward “classic” items that make us feel alternatively cozy or glamorous: from silly holiday sweaters and flannel to glistening accessories to color-coordinating green and red.

Brunei. The public celebration of Christmas has been banned in the tiny oil-rich Islamic state of Brunei since 2015, with anyone found violating the law facing up to five years in jail or a fine of US $20,000, or both.

The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25 (the same date upon which he held that the world was created), which, after nine months in his mother’s womb, would result in a December 25 birth.

Much earlier, the American cartoonist Thomas Nast fashioned Santa Claus’s image on the pages of the American magazine Harper’s Weekly. The character of Santa Claus is believed to descend from Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century.

The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany, where families set up a paradise tree in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They hung wafers on it (symbolizing the eucharistic host, the Christian sign of redemption).

Featured Photo by Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash