Christmas Day 2022: It is celebrated on December 25 every year all over the world with full enthusiasm. Read below for the history, meaning, and celebrations of the day. The day reminds of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God.
Christmas is a time when family, friends, and relatives gather together and celebrate in complete joy. Children are mostly happy about the gifts they receive from Santa Claus. Therefore, it can be said that in Christmas, a mythical character named Santa Claus plays an important role.
There are many explanations for the name Christmas and why it is celebrated. One of them is the Eucharist or Holy Communion which is a mass in which Jesus died for his people and then rose again. So ‘Lord’s Mass’ is the ceremony that takes place after sunset and before dawn the next day and from there the midnight trend begins. And in this way we got the name Christ-Mas which means Christmas.
READ| Merry Christmas 2022: 30 Inspirational and Powerful Jesus Christ Quotes and Wishes to Share
Origin of Christmas
The first known Christmas holiday of December 25 was in 336 AD, under Roman Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor. After several years, Pope Julius I officially declared that Jesus’ birth would be celebrated on December 25.
There are various traditions and theories that justify Christmas being celebrated on December 25. A fairly primitive Christian custom attributes the fact that Mary knew she would give birth to a child. especially Jesus, called the Annunciation on March 25 and therefore still rejoicing on March 25. Nine months later, March 25 is December 25. March 25 is even an occasion that few of the first Christians around the globe celebrated, and even the day of Jesus’ death when he was an adult.
December 25 may even have been chosen as the Winter Solstice and the first pagan Roman midwinter festivals called ‘Saturnalia’ and ‘Dies Natalis Solis Invicti’ took place in December near this date – hence this is the time period where individuals previously organized events.
READ| Christmas speech 2022: Christmas speech at school in English
Origin of the Christmas tree
Simply as before Christians introduced pagan Romans by associating Christmas with Saturnalia, even the followers of the Asheira sect and its offshoot members chosen by the Church to impose sanctions on the “Christmas Tree”. Pagans have long worshiped trees in the forest, or grown them in their homes and decorated them, and this ceremony was known to the Church and rejoiced with a Christian appearance.
Did you know the first decorated Christmas tree was placed or kept in Riga, Latvia in 1510? In Germany, the first Christmas trees were decorated with apples, gingerbread, wafers and candies. Different types of trees are used in different countries as Christmas trees and every time they are not fir trees. Like in New Zealand – the ‘Pohutakawa’ tree is used and has red flowers. In the 19th century, in Germany, the first artificial Christmas trees were developed. Modern artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC and the same is true in China. Surprisingly, Christmas trees actually help remove dust and pollen from the air.
READ| Christmas Eve 2022 – Meaning, Celebration And Everything You Need To Know
How is Christmas celebrated?
Christmas is a celebration filled with joy, fun and adoration in human life. On this occasion, people go to church, sing carols, participate in various religious services, exchange gifts, decorate their houses with holly, mistletoe, lights, flowers and Christmas trees as well as organizing family gatherings. On Christmas Eve, churches around the world perform evening services. At midnight, many churches perform special candle lighting ceremonies. Santa Claus is an admired figure at Christmas events, specializing in delivering gifts to children. People prepare various cakes and feasts, express joy and happiness by singing Christmas carols and welcoming God. Children or children often welcome this festival with a mood full of joy, excited about the gifts given by their parents, friends, family members and also eagerly waiting for Santa Claus.
So, now you probably know about Christmas Day, its history and how it is celebrated globally.
READ| Important dates and dates in December 2022
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn