What is Christmas and What We Do on Christmas: Winter reminds us of the festival which is celebrated by most of the world. Almost every country celebrates and rejoices during Christmas and New Year. We have got you the complete history, information, and how to celebrate Christmas.
Significance of Christmas and Why We Celebrate Christmas
The Significance of Christmas is known to everyone around the world. Christmas is celebrated for the birth of Christ into this world. However, the main symbol of celebration is the spiritual life. Jesus Christ is considered to be the Divinity.
During the time of his birth, it was a time of superstition, greed, ignorance, hatred, and hypocrisy in every part of the land.
During these tough times, Christ was born and gave his life for the transformation in the lives of people. He gave a spiritual and new turn to the life of every man and woman.
With all his efforts new era dawned in the world with change upon the land with people started with a new way of life.
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History Of Christmas
Every year 25th of December is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ but in reality, the Bible does not mention about the exact birth of Jesus or even the year. It is said that Jesus Christ was likely to be born between 7 BC and 2 BC.
The name Christmas comes from the Mass of Christ or Jesus. Christmas is a story of romance and the birth of the child Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem. The story of Jesus’s birth is told every Christmas.
As per the story, Mother Mary could not find a place in the inns. Every inn was filled with locals returning in response to an order from Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. He was taking a census of his subject and insisted on returning to Mullock.
Mother Mary and Joseph had to settle in a cave as she was nine months pregnant. She gave birth in the cave with all sorts of unexpected events.
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Why Is Christmas Called Xmas?
Xmas is the abbreviation for Christmas used widely. The abbreviation dates back to approximately the mid-16th century. The X in Xmas stands for the Greek letter chi.
The initial letter in the word Χριστός or Chrīstos which means “Christ.” And the Mass stands for people. Hence Christmas is abbreviated as Xmas.
Xmas has a long and respectable history but today Xmas is offensive to many. Perhaps it is because of its associations with advertising.
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First Xmas Celebrations
Christmas is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. However, his birth is not exactly known. Early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter even before the birth of Jesus.
So symbolically people started celebrating Christmas in the middle of winter so that they could look forward to longer and brighter days of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21st which is the winter solstice, till January. As a symbol of the sun, father and son would bring logs to set fire and feast until the log burnt which could be as long as 12 days. Norse believed that each spark marked the birth of a pig or calf.
During the reign of Emperor Constantine, the church in Rome celebrated Christmas on 25th December in 336. Emperor Constantine made Christianity the religion of his empire which is speculated to be a political motive for weakening the established pangan celebrations.
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How To Celebrate Christmas
Christmas celebrations are all about spending time with family and friends. The entire house is decorated inside as well as outside. It is time for shopping. The most important part is to spend time with family.
As a part of the celebration, all family members would spend time baking cookies, making fudge, and preparing for a gala Christmas dinner.
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a) Thing Required To Celebrate Christmas
During Christmas, many things are mandatory and part of the celebration. Here is the list of things required to celebrate Christmas.
The Wreath To Celebrate Christmas
Green is a symbol of life. This has been the main color of Christmas decorations. The wreath is a sign of ever-lasting life and a way to say God’s endless love for us. The holly berries in the wreath represent his blood. It is believed that the crown of Jesus is made of holly.
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The Christmas Tree To Celebrate Christmas
The site of the Christmas tree is known by everyone. It is evergreen and decorated with lights and tinsels. It is a depiction of a paradise tree or the tree in the Garden of Eden. The use of Christmas trees dates back to the 17th century in Strasbourg, France.
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Christmas Song To Celebrate Christmas
Holiday music is melodious with Christmas Songs and stands as one of the most important pillars. Today many have a vast collection of Christmas songs.
Christmas Carols To Celebrate Christmas
Christmas Carols is one of the ways to up the Christmas spirit. The greatest charm of the season is generosity, warmth, and goodwill. It is always welcome everywhere. People sing carols while going from door to door.
Christmas Poems To Celebrate Christmas
The present form of Christmas is a traditional event even today. The poems give religious feelings and give a persistent invitation to open our minds.
Christmas Costumes To Celebrate Christmas
Christmas is a season for attending parties with family and friends. Christmas costumes play an important role and have themes.
b) Food Preparation To Celebrate Christmas
Christmas Feast on Christ Day is the most important part of the celebrations known as the Christmas family meal. The feast starts with drinks and music and later with food. Every guest is seated around the table and served the food and eaten together.
After the food, dessert is served and people drink and dance. The main food preparations include meat pies, beef, geese, roasted duck, plumb porridge, pigs, fancy cakes, toast, and bowls of wassail.
Some of the special desserts are Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, Mince Pies, Panettone, and Yule Log Cake. The Christmas meal varies from region to region. All food items are prepared to celebrate Christmas.
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c) Gifts To Celebrate Christmas
The gift-giving tradition started with three wise men. These men gave three gifts for the Christ child. Since that time different stories about the gifts have been told to children by their parents and this tradition has been coming down the ages. The person giving gifts is called Santa Claus.
It is a favorite time of the year for gifting people you love. Giving gifts fills merriment for the holiday season of Christmas. Gifting gifts is considered auspicious to celebrate Christmas.
d) Celebrations on Christmas
Christmas is celebrated on 25th December and the day before i.e., the evening of 24th December is known as Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree is decorated with all glory on this day. The midnight masses on Christmas Eve are celebrated by the Pope by the end of midnight.
Christmas festival has come a long way with different varieties and changes. But the spirit of the celebration remains the same.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!
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