Christmas Day, also known as Noël, Nativity, and Xmas, is a public holiday in many countries across the world. It is celebrated for religious reasons by most Christians. Similarly, many non-Christians also celebrate the day with full honor. Christmas is the annual observation of the birth of Jesus Christ, primarily on December 25. It is a major religious and cultural holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world.
Christmas Day 2024 Date
The highlight of the Christian liturgical year, preceded by the season of Advent or Nativity Fast, is followed by the beginning of the Christmas season. Traditionally in the West consists of twelve days and culminates in the Twelfth Night. This day varies on several dates from December 25 to January 19.
- It is celebrated on December 25 in part of Western Christianity and Eastern churches.
- Most Eastern Orthodox and part of the Eastern Orthodox church celebrate Christmas on January 7 (O.S. December 25).
- The Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Evangelical Church celebrate Christmas on January 6th
- The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrates this day on January 19 (O.S. January 6).
History of Christmas Day
The nativity sequences in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke inspired early Christian writers to propose different dates for the anniversary. Although no date is specified in the Gospels, the early Christians associated Jesus with the sun as the “righteous sun” and recorded the Christmas celebration in Rome on December 25, 336 AD.
Jesus Christ Born Date
The oldest Christmas story in the New Testament, known as the Nativity, states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, by messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in town, the inn had no room so they were given a stable, where the Christ Child was soon born. The angels brought the news to the shepherds, who spread the news to the world.
There are various hypotheses about the birth of Jesus. In the early fourth century, the church placed it on December 25. This corresponds to the ancient date of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar. This is exactly nine months after the Annunciation on March 25, which is also the day of the spring equinox. Most Christians celebrate December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar, which is almost universally used in the civil calendar used by countries around the world.
What is Christmas?
The term ‘Christmas’ comes from the mass of Christ (Jesus). A Mass, which is sometimes called Communion or the Eucharist, is where Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The ‘Christ-Mass’ service was permissible after sunset and before sunrise the next day. So people did it at midnight! Hence, we get the name Christ-Mass, which means Christmas.
Christmas Day Significance & Importance
The Christmas celebrations are associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed by Christians that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world on Christmas Day. The word Christmas originated from the mass of Christ. At a Christian gathering, Christians commemorate Jesus' death and resurrection.
Christmas Day Celebrations
Gift-giving, family and other gatherings, symbolic decoration, feasts, etc. are among the major festivity held on this day. There are also many closely related and sometimes interchangeable characters like Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, and Christkind. They are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas holidays with their traditions and lore.
Christmas Day Traditions
The holiday traditions connected with Christmas in various countries blend pre-Christians, Christians, and secular themes. Popular modern-day practices of the holiday include gift-giving; finishing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and carols; watching a Nativity play; exchanging Christmas cards; church services; a delicious meal. Christmas decorations include Christmas lights, Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths, nativity scenes, mistletoe, and holly.
How to Celebrate Christmas Day
There are a number of ways one can celebrate Christmas. Among them we have added 5 ways to celebrate Christmas Day below:
1. Learn about Jesus Christ
One of the best ways to celebrate the day is to learn about Jesus and his teachings.
2. Join a church service
On Christmas Day, there are so many Christmas cultural services are held. Participate in any of these to add extra excitement to the occasion.
3. Gifting
Giving gifts is the best way you can celebrate the day. Gift your loved ones anything special to make their day. Don't forget to attach a Christmas card with it.
4. Witness a nativity play
A nativity play is a Christmas scene play that tells the story of the Nativity of Jesus. It is performed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the feast of Nativity.
5. Christmas decorations
Decorate your home and surrounding with Christmas lights, Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths, nativity scenes, mistletoe, and holly.
Besides, you can have delicious Christmas meals.
Why do we celebrate Christmas Day?
For two thousand years, people throughout the world have observed traditions and customs that are both religious and secular. Christians at Christmas celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religious beliefs. We celebrate Christmas Day as it connected relatives and friends after a whole year.
Amazing Christmas Facts
On Christmas Day, we've added some 5 interesting facts about Christmas festivities:
1. The first song played in space is ‘Jingle Bells’
On December 16, 1965, the ‘Jingle Bells’ song made history as the first song being played in space during NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight.
2. Princess Charlotte popularised Christmas trees in England
Generally, when we think of Christmas trees we think of Prince Albert in England. But the first known Christmas tree was erected at Queen’s Lodge in Windsor in December 1800 by Princess Charlotte.
3. Coca-Cola isn’t responsible for how we perceive Santa
The Coca-Cola Company gets the credit for creating the red-coated modern image of Santa, that is known and loved today but that is simply not true! Most of its modern image was collected by Thomas Nast in the 1870s.
4. Queen Victoria was sent their first official Christmas card
Queen Victoria was the first to officially send out a Christmas card.
5. Celebrating Christmas was banned in the US for over 260 years
Christmas celebrations in Oklahoma state in the USA had been banned for over 260 years which was lifted in 1907.
Christmas is the best time of cheer, eye-catching decorations, and the company of family and friends. Whether you celebrate Christmas in a secular or religious way, it is a day of fun, love, and joy. Decorate your home for Christmas and do things to get in the spirit. Don't miss the Christmas enjoyment and traditions with your family and loved ones.