History of Christmas
There are very few people in the world today who do not know what the Christmas holiday is all about.
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of the Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the Yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. These traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact day of the Christ's birth it has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose 25th December as the observance of Christmas since than it is celebrated on this day around the world. Fundamentally Christmas celebration is based on the intertwining of two ethnic patterns, Roman transition rites and Germano-Celtic Yule (jiuleis) rites-feasting and mortuary practice.On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees.
The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.The first mention of 25th December as the birth date of Jesus occurred in 336 A.D. in an early Romancalendar. The celebration of Jesus's birth date as Christmas, was probably influenced by Pagan(unchristian) festivals held at that time. For most Christians, the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest 30th November. This date is the feast day of Saint Andrew, one of the 12 apostles of Christ.
The nearest Sunday is the first day of Advent, a four-week period during which Christians prepare forthe celebration of Christmas. The word advent means a coming and refers to the coming of Jesus onChristmas Day. For Christians, the Christmas season reaches its climax at midnight Mass or otherreligious services on Christmas Eve, which is the 'D' day of celebration. . Churches are decorated withcandles, lights, evergreen branches, and bright red poinsettias. People sing Christmas carols and listen to readings from the Gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew. Priests and ministers speak to the congregations about the coming of Christ and the need for peace and understanding among all people.
Most churches also hold services on Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends on Epiphany, 6thJanuary. In Western Christian churches, Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Wise Men to the Christ child.
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of the Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the Yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. These traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact day of the Christ's birth it has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose 25th December as the observance of Christmas since than it is celebrated on this day around the world. Fundamentally Christmas celebration is based on the intertwining of two ethnic patterns, Roman transition rites and Germano-Celtic Yule (jiuleis) rites-feasting and mortuary practice.On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees.The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ.The first mention of 25th December as the birth date of Jesus occurred in 336 A.D. in an early Romancalendar. The celebration of Jesus's birth date as Christmas, was probably influenced by Pagan(unchristian) festivals held at that time. For most Christians, the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest 30th November. This date is the feast day of Saint Andrew, one of the 12 apostles of Christ.
The nearest Sunday is the first day of Advent, a four-week period during which Christians prepare forthe celebration of Christmas. The word advent means a coming and refers to the coming of Jesus onChristmas Day. For Christians, the Christmas season reaches its climax at midnight Mass or otherreligious services on Christmas Eve, which is the 'D' day of celebration. . Churches are decorated withcandles, lights, evergreen branches, and bright red poinsettias. People sing Christmas carols and listen to readings from the Gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew. Priests and ministers speak to the congregations about the coming of Christ and the need for peace and understanding among all people.
Most churches also hold services on Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends on Epiphany, 6thJanuary. In Western Christian churches, Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Wise Men to the Christ child.
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