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The popular answer is that it is Jesus' birthday. However, it is necessary to reconsider that belief, No records exist in the Bible, or elsewhere, suggesting Jesus was born on that date. A ceremony called "Blessing of Water" is conducted in the Armenian Church to commemorate Christ's Baptism. According to Catholic tradition, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in honor of the day Jesus was born. One theory holds that this is the right date, postulating that Zachary was high priest and that the Day of Atonement fell on September 24, ergo, John the Baptist was born on June 24 and Christ dropped in exactly six months later on December 25. The period around this is celebrated by different people in lots of ways, especially in Nigeria. The day of this major feast in the Armenian Church is January 6th. Rather, it was an implication of setting the date of conception to March 25. In the first century the Church did not celebrate the birth of Christ. Many secular celebrations followed. Weihnachtsfest, from the preceding sacred vigil.The term Yule is of disputed origin. Today we are going to look into why we celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Christmas stories for children. Christmas celebrates the birth of the Christ child, Baby Jesus. Many Catholics and other Christians are under the impression that what we celebrate on 25th December is the actual birth date of Jesus. The Feast of the Annunciation is the reason why we celebrate Christmas on December 25. It is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Christian religion, is the son of God. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Christian religion, which falls on December 25. The original purpose of Christmas was to recognize the birth of Jesus. Christmas Ornament - Maxpixel/Mark lli. CAIRO - 7 January 2018: Around 37 percent of the Orthodox Christians, mainly in Egypt and Russia, celebrate Christmas on January 7, unlike the Catholics and Protestants who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. So, yes, Christmas does fall on the Roman Holiday of Sol Invictus, but it wasn't selected because of Sol Invictus. The first claim pretends that it replaced the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia, a time of feasting and raucous merry-making held in December in honor of the pagan god Saturn. Christmas celebrations start in Germany on 24th December (Christmas Eve) when Christmas gifts are exchanged. Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Christmas is a very special time for the Catholic church, as it signifies the birth of the savior, Jesus Christ. This is why the Churches who still celebrate on 25 December according to the ancient Julian calendar (such as most of the Byzantine Churches and the non-Chalcedonian churches, except the Armenians) find themselves, in the 21st century, celebrating the Nativity on 7 January of the civil Gregorian new calendar. — The word for Christmas in late O. E. is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131.In Dutch it is Kerst-misse, in Lat. The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome. 2017/11/18 - 07:31 • Culture On 18 November 2017, Ukrainian lawmakers voted to make December 25, celebrated as Christmas by the majority of the world's Christians, as an official state holiday, besides January 7. Some have claimed Christmas is based on the Roman holiday Saturnalia, a festival of the god Saturn. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. But there are regional differences: In many . However, no records exist in the Bible or elsewhere to suggest that Jesus was actually born on this date, which raises the important question - why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th? The first. Christmas is a very special time for the Catholic church, as it signifies the birth of the savior, Jesus Christ. Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on 25 December? December 25th is not the birth date of Jesus Christ, the spiritual leader and founder of Christianity whose birth is the reason why many people celebrate Christmas. In this way, why do Greek Orthodox celebrate Christmas on December 25? Therefore, while the West celebrates the birth of Christ on the 25th December (according to the Gregorian Calendar), the Orthodox Church, in accordance with the Julian Calendar, celebrate Christmas on the 7th January. Nine months from March 25, or six months from June 24, renders the birth of Christ at Dec. 25, our Christmas. Why December 25 is Christmas December 24, 2010 Gene Veith Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Christmas is the fourth most important Christian date after Easter, Pentecost, and Epiphany, a feast held January 6 to commemorate the manifestation of the divinity of Jesus. Simbang Gabi (Filipino for "Night Mass") is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Filipino Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines . It was chosen because Romans celebrated the winter solstice on December 25 and Christians of the day—their faith having been legalized by Emperor Constantine only 23 years before—associated Jesus with the Sun (the source of Light). Christmas is celebrated on 25 December. Christmas Eve/Day. It is unconnected with any word meaning "wheel". Why is Christmas celebrated on the 24th? By that time, Emperor Constantine had made Christianity the official religion of the Roman empire. Published: December 13, 2016 2.01pm EST. December 25 falls in the winter solstice which means that winter was over and a new season is about to come. Why Christmas is on 25th December? Beside above, why do Catholics celebrate Christmas December 25th? Christmas falls on December 25th every year and is universally celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ. That date was later recognized as the Feast of the Annunciation—nine months before December 25. Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th? However, this holiday was celebrated on December 17, and though it was later expanded to include the days leading up to December 23, it was over before December 25. Nobody knows exactly why Christ's birthday is celebrated on December 25. The real date of Jesus Christ's birth is unknown as no exact date or even month is given in the Bible, then why do we celebrate it on December 25. However, there are some cultic type religious groups like INC, SDA, JW, MCGI, and many cults who opposed and do not celebrate Christmas as they believe that December 25 is not really Jesus' birthdate. One of the prevalent theories on why Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25 was spelled out in " The Golden Bough ," a highly influential 19th-century comparative study of religion and mythology. Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, the Gregorian calendar is the world's widest used civil calendar and it is this calendar that Catholic Christians use to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th? Some Greek Catholics also celebrate on January 7th. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. Firstly, the difference between Orthodox and Catholic Christmas is quite simply an issue about dates. Posted onDecember 22, 2015December 22, 2015by Father Carota Catholic History Of Christmas On Dec. 25 The 1914 Catholic Encyclopedia has this very long and some what complicated explanation as to the dates and customs of Catholic Christmas. Religions didn't celebrate Christmas in the early days on Dec. 25. During the festive season, many cities and towns hold christmas markets which open usually from beginning of December until Christmas eve. The date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. Il natale; in Ger. Question: Why do Catholics celebrate Christmason Dec. 25? Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25? In this way the problem of eliminating an already popular holiday would be sidestepped, thus making the Christianizing of the population easier. Which Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on December 25? Spanish holidays are a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions. The Donatist schism originated in A.D. 311 which may indicate that the Latin Church was celebrating a December 25 Christmas (but not a January 6 Epiphany) before A.D. 311. Do Nigerians celebrate Christmas? But was Jesus really born on December 25th? As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. But for the first three centuries of Christianity, Christmas wasn't in December—or on the calendar anywhere. It was then . The pagan celebrates this day because the sun is finally out after a long cold season. If observed at all, the celebration of . The Feast of the Annunciation is the reason why we celebrate Christmas on December 25. The name is a joining of "Christ" and "mass" which means the holy mass (supper, celebration or festival) of Christ. The western date for Jesus' birth was chosen . As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. Most people in the Greek Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Traditionally, families get together on December 24th, Christmas Eve. The popular answer is that it is Jesus' birthday. Additionally, why do Roman Catholic celebrate Christmas? The earliest celebration of Christmas, or the Feast of the Nativity, on December 25 was held in the year AD 336 in Rome. Patheos has the views of the prevalent . Was the Nativity really in December? The ecclesiastical holiday was created in the seventh century and was assigned to be celebrated on March 25; this date is nine months before Christmas, in addition to being the traditional date of the equinox. The religion has many unique customs and rituals that have been practiced for centuries. Christmas is celebrated on 25 December. John 1:5). In fact, the selection of this date has its root in both Persian and pagan traditions. Christmas is the holiday that commemorates the birth of Christ, when Christians celebrate that Jesus Christ, the Son of God "came down from heaven for us men and for our salvation, and by the power of the Holy Spirit became incarnate from Mary the Virgin and was made man," as we confess in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. The Europeans celebrate Christmas on the 24th instead of the 25th of December is because they are celebrating the night that Sinterklaas aka Santa Claus is flying over the earth.They hold that with just as much importance as the Christians do when they celebrate Christ on the 25th. Having turned long ago from worshiping the one true God and creator of all things, many early cultures in the Roman empire had fallen into sun worship. Furthermore, it indicates that Jesus was born, not in the cold, rainy month of December or January but in a warmer season"--as arguedby the Jehovah's Witnesses(JWs). Christmas first came on the church scene about A.D. 440 when the Roman Catholic Church sought to incorporate the festival Saturalia, which honored Saturn and the Roman celebration of Natialis Solis Invicti (birthday of the Unconquerable Sun), both of which were celebrated on December 25th. They celebrated Epiphany on Jan. 6. Catholics can become quite shocked, scandalised and even go into a belligerent mode when others, like Jehovah Witnesses, suggest that this might not be so. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. This holiday commemorated the arrival of the wise men in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. So strictly speaking, Christmas is still kept on December 25, which just happens to fall 13 days later on the Julian calendar," said Calin. And Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2000 book The Spirit of the Liturgy, affirms this connection . For Orthodox Christians who have adopted the Gregorian calendar, Christmas falls on Dec. 25 as it does for others, and Jan. 6 marks the Epiphany, a Christian holiday that celebrates the revelation of God . The Christmas Octave feast days mark important clarifications on the doctrine of Christ's divinity and humanity. As the Julian Calendar slowly drifted and was eventually replaced by the Gregorian Calendar, the date of December 25 stuck, even though it wasn't . The most popular reason why December 25 th was chosen is because the church was Christianizing the pagan celebration of Sol Inviticus — a sun-god — that Roman Emperor Aurelian had introduced on that date in 274 AD. Christmas stories for children. December 25, The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation) On December 25th, Catholics around the world will celebrate The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ which is the Birth of Jesus. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor . Celebrating Christmas on January 7 dates back to 1582 when astronomy scientists . Which countries celebrate Christmas on the 25th? In AD 336, the church in Rome officially began celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. It is important to remember that in the very first few years of the Church, the only feast days being celebrated were those to do with the death and resurrection of Christ: that Over the centuries the holiday was reformed more and more to contain fewer of the old "pagan" elements. Whichever is the case, the liturgical celebration of Christ's birth was commemorated in Rome on December 25 long before Christianity became legalized and long before our . The ancient pagan roman already celebrates important events and festivals. The Europeans celebrate Christmas on the 24th instead of the 25th of December is because they are celebrating the night that Sinterklaas aka Santa Claus is flying over the earth.They hold that with just as much importance as the Christians do when they celebrate Christ on the 25th. The two principal claims for Christmas having pagan origins pretend that the early Church chose December 25 in order to divert Catholics from Roman pagan festival days. It has been suggested that Christians in the 4th Century assigned December 25th as Christ's birthday (and hence Christmas) because pagans already observed this day as a holiday. I n 2017, one more country was added to the long list that celebrate Christmas Day on December 25th when Ukraine decided to make Catholic Christmas a national holiday in addition to Orthodox Christmas on January 6th, going 2/365th of the way to making it Christmas every day. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25. Dies Natalis, whence Fr. However, it is necessary to reconsider that belief, No records exist in the Bible, or elsewhere, suggesting Jesus was born on that date. As people around the world gather around a Christmas tree to celebrate a day unlike any other, many are unaware of why we recognize Christmas on the 25th of December. But is December 25 actually the date when Jesus was born? To us, Christmas and December are inseparable. Why is Christmas celebrated on the 24th? Whichever is the case, the liturgical celebration of Christ's birth was commemorated in Rome on December 25 long before Christianity became legalized and long before our . According to the former — popularly advocated by some skeptics, pagan copycat theorists, and some non-liturgical Christians — December 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate Jesus's birth in . A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th . The religion's most significant holidays were Epiphany on January 6, which commemorated the arrival of the Magi after Jesus' birth, and Easter, which celebrated Jesus' resurrection. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on December 25th with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on January 6th until . (Colossians 1:19-20) Arguments about whether Christians should celebrate Christmas on December 25 th never quite seem to get back around to the fact that we should be celebrating the baby in the . Christmas in Russia is normally celebrated on January 7th (only a few Catholics might celebrate it on the 25th December). Why some Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. With Christmas around the corner, many of the less-reverent types like down-playing the day by telling us the early Church selected December 25 as the date to celebrate Christ's birth because it was trying to stamp out the celebration of a pagan festival that took place at the end of December. However, in his article, How December 25, became Christmas, historian Andrew McGowan suggests December 25 th was selected for a . "The Bible does not give the exact date of Jesus' birth. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas on December 25. The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336 AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). Is Misa de Gallo and Simbang Gabi the same? This got more pagans to celebrate Jesus' birthday. They had a specific reason for doing so. There are popular theories that the December 25 dating was a Christian response to the pagans' feast of Saturnalia or of Sol Invictus, but neither of these theories seems to work out historically. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. Today Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25, but not by most European churches, which continue to combine Epiphany and nativity celebrations on January 6. Update: In late 2017, December 25 became an official state holiday, making Ukraine a country with two official Christmas days: The name is a joining of "Christ" and "mass" which means the holy mass (supper, celebration or festival) of Christ. It is unrelated to the Quartodeciman, which had been forgotten by this time. Catholics and protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25 th, Greeks, Syrians, Russians and other followers of Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on January 7 th, and; The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 18 th, the day of Epiphany. Here, you can discern for yourself. St. Luke also recorded how the Archangel Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John (Lk 1:36), which means the Annunciation occurred March 25, as we celebrate. The Church could have chosen another date on which to celebrate the birth of Christ. The day before Christmas is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Noel, and Ital. Many Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar, which places Christmas around January 6. Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. Christmas, the holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by a majority of Christians on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar. 5:59 ET, Dec 23 2019 EVERY year on Christmas Day, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus with churches across the country telling the nativity story. The term "Christmas" comes from the Old English Cristes Maesse, which means Christ's mass. Catholics traditionally celebrate Christmas every December 25 as the birth of our lord Jesus Christ. The Catholic religion is the world's largest Christian sect and has more than a billion followers. Celebrations throughout Christendom have a tradition of starting on the evening of December 24 due in large part to the liturgical day starting at sunset the previous day, a practice inherited from the Jewish tradition of marking the sabbath. But some still use the Julian calendar and so celebrate Christmas on 7th January! Obviously, the exact date of Christ's birth has not been . Dec. 25 is not the date mentioned in the Bible as the day of Jesus's birth; the Bible is actually silent on the day or the time of year when Mary was said to have given birth to him in Bethlehem. Many people ask me if December 25th is the real day Jesus was born on. Christmas is literally "the mass for Christ", the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. On December 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus (d. 389) preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. This means that starting from 2017, Ukraine officially celebrates two Christmases. If it was not the birth of Christ which set Christmas Day apart from others in the calendar, what was it? "Naija no dey carry last", especially for celebrations. December 31 is New Year's Eve, or Nochevieja in Spanish, the time to say goodbye to the year that's coming to an end and welcome the new year. Christmas comes exactly nine months after the Archangel Gabriel invited the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God,. Christmas. The answer is yes if you are an average person on the street who blindly accepts whatever popular culture and tradition dictate. Christmas comes exactly nine months after the Archangel Gabriel invited the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God,. It is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Christian religion, is the son of God. This move was one of the reasons why the church split in 1043. There are reasons why Christmas was held on December 25. Christmas Eve is the eve of Christmas. 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