about christmas

The Origin Of Christmas Day Christmas is a religious festival. It is the day we celebrate as the birthday of Jesus. There are special Christmas services in Christian churches all over the world,but many of the festivities of Christmas do not have anything to do with religion(like in China ). Exchanging gifts and sending Christmas cards are the modern ways of celebrating the Christmas in the world. The birth of Jesus had a story: in Nazareth, a city of galilee, the Virgins name was Mary was betrothed bitr:t被许配给 to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found with child of the holy spirit. Joseph, her husband was minded to put her away secretly. While he thought about these things, Gabriel, an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and told him did not be afraid to take mary as wife,and Mary will bring forth a son, and he shall call his name, Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Before Jesus birth, Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem. Because all of them need to be registered(户口注册 ) there.When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary brought forth (生产 ) Jesus, and wrapped him in swaddling 襁褓 cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 当马利亚快要临盆的时候，罗马政府下了命令，全部人民到伯利恒务必申报戶籍。约瑟和马利亚只好遵命。他们到达伯利恒时，天色已昏，无奈两人未能 找到旅馆渡宿，只有一个马棚可以暫住。就在這时，耶苏要出生了！於是马利亚唯有在马槽上，生下耶苏。后人为纪念耶苏的诞生，便定十二月二十五为圣诞节，年年望彌撒，纪念耶苏的出世。 And that, Christmas is the feast of the nativity (基督的诞生 )of Jesus, is on 25th, December every year. But nobody know the actual birthday of Jesus, and the Christmas has become popular when Christmas cards appeared in 1846 and the concept of a jolly Santa Claus was first made popular in nineteenth century. The Tradition of Christmas The Tradition of Christmas an Introduction Come December 25, the whole world gets filled with unbounded happiness, cheer, and joy. Its Christmas time time for some true fun. Though a universal occasion for celebration, the tradition of Christmas varies from country to country, from place to place. And in order to know the different traditions of Christmas in detail, you need to learn the basics of this festival. About Christmas Tradition The history of Christmas dates back two thousand years. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ to Mother Mary, in Bethlehem. Several customs have evolved around the world to celebrate Christmas. The main idea of the occasion is to spread and share happiness with each other, make ones time full of fun. People greet and wish happiness to each other To make the occasion a memorable and a happy one, places are decorated with various items, which include Christmas trees, lightings etc. People offer gifts to their near and children play in joyous mood. They also wait for Santa to bring some gifts for them, as they open up their Christmas stockings with great expectations. During the festival, Christmas cards are also sent to the loved ones. The Christmas carols or the Christmas cakes add more shades to the cheerfulness of the festival. And all these, though constitute the Christmas tradition of these days, however, Christmas traditions are ever changing and also vary from place to place even in the present days. Different Place, Different Traditions Though Christmas these days has got some common traits and traditions in every place across the world, however it definitely has got some variations. If you go thousands of years back, you can find many of the present-day Christmas traditions were celebrated even before the birth of the Christ. Some of the traditions of Christmas began with the Mesopotamian celebration of the New Year. Ancient Greeks also used some of the traditions in their ceremonies. Christmas Art If you happen to be a creative person and if you desire to give vent to your creative instincts, this festive season, try your hand at some of the well-known forms of Christmas Art. You can be rest assured that you would not have to repent for your decision one bit and your art pieces are likely to turn more heads than the designer ones, as they would lack the originality that you would invest in them. Flaunt your Christmas Art in style, this festive season and you would probably be way too overwhelmed with compliments. Christmas brings with it loads of fun and merriment. This is the time to take life easy and relax a bit. But interestingly, this becomes the time of the year when people are the most stressed out and post Christmas stress has emerged as a looming problem in many western countries of the world where Christmas is celebrated with much grandeur and ceremony. Thus if you desire to feature among the intelligent lot, organize your Christmas way in advance of the holiday season. Many a people are of the opinion that those desirous of opting for a frugal Christmas are the ones, who harbor an inclination for Christmas Art. But this is an errorous assumption as, art be it paintings or any handicraft for that matter has everything to do with, ones tastes and aptitudes. Christmas Art encompasses a wide range of activities, which deal with specific materials and have a definite thing to do with a persons skill levels. So be it cross stitch, pottery, sewing or making Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas is the time to indulge in your creative self. Provided below area few of the most popular Christmas arts. Christmas Jokes With course of time, the tradition of Christmas has changed a lot. Even in the present world, you will find a little variation in the Christmas traditions in different places like US, UK, Israel, and other Asian countries, European countries, and the Latin American countries. To learn more on this, keep browsing the site. Christmas is the time for great fun and merry making. Everyone wishes to be a bit light hearted during the Christmas time. Popular Christmas jokes bring a quick smile even to a grumble face. Christmas Carnivals offers you a wide collection of Christmas jokes and funny stories to enjoy, use,and forward this Christmas season. . Jokes are just jokes, not meant to be taken seriously. Smile over, and enjoy this Christmas with cheery Christmas jokes from the house of Christmas Carnivals. Night Before Christmas, Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus； Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa and a Very Naughty Little Boy, Twelve Days of Christmas, A Microsoft Christmas, Politically Correct Santa are some well-known Christmas Jokes that evoke hearty laugh during the holiday season. All these jokes are featured combining the central Christmas figurines like the angels, Santa Claus, Twelve Day Christmas carols, Nativity Scene, Three Wise Men and more. The Strange Christmas Scene makes a great Christmas prank. A small town manifested a Nativity Scene that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature was really queer. The three wise men were wearing firemens helmets. When questioned a lady jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. She said The three wise man came from afar. Check out more Christmas Jokes from the pages of Christmas Carnivals Christmas Movies Movies are an integral part of relaxation, celebrations and entertainment. Whatever the occasion may be, movies provide you with that sense of enjoyment and gaiety. In almost all celebrations, people of all age and creed flock the movie halls and theaters. And what if the movies are based on the event that you are celebrating? It can be a wonderful way to boost the celebrations of the event. This is perhaps the same with Christmas movies. They really add to the charm of Christmas Day and make the occasion more jovial. The best thing about movies about Christmas is that they wonderfully portray the charm of the event and also bring out the rich tradition and culture associated with it. The audience can get a deep insight into the customs and traditions that are related to the festival and associate their feelings with the characters in the films. Some of the popular Christmas movies that you can watch are: Categories Christmas Movies: Its a Wonderful Life: Produced in 1946, this movie is a wonderful comedy and a love story which is set at the backdrop of Christmas. It is an all time classic and you will like it wherever you see it. Miracle on 34th Street: Made in the year 1947, this film consists of lots of miraculous scenes to portray the definitive fact that santa clause really exists in reality. It won plenty of critical acclaim and was also taken well by the audience. White Christmas (1954): This is also another classic movie which starred Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby. The film was praised for the action and directorial skills and also for the soothing music. Some of the music was played by renowned country singers. Elf: Released in the year 2003, this movie is a wonderful family comedy and drama which is based around the happenings of a Christmas holidays. Apart from these, there are some other movies about Christmas which have been popular among the audience. Some of them are The Nightmare before Christmas, Bad Santa, The Bishops Wife, Home Alone, A Christmas carols, The Santa Clause, and The Polar Express and so on. So watch the best Christmas movies and get that enjoyment! Christmas Symbol and Their Meanings Christmas is full of symbols. Its a holiday that is centuries old and is full of many traditions. Each culture has its own symbols, but there are some that are almost universal no matter where you travel. Bells: Bells are used to announce the birth of Jesus. The bells called the people to worship him. The bells were rung to guide lost sheep back to the fold. They signify that all people are precious in the eyes of the Lord. Candles: The candles are a reminder of how to be a light unto the world. Candles are also a symbol reflecting our thanks to the star of Bethlehem. Candles may also represent the light of God. Stars: The stars represent the stars of heaven and the star that the wise men followed to see Baby Jesus. The star also represents the hope of mankind. Candy Canes: The candy cane is in the shape of the shepherds crook. The crook was used to help bring the sheep back that had strayed from the fold. The colors of red and white in a spiral symbolize that we are our brothers keepers. Stockings: Christmas stockings are believed to come from a legend in which a nobleman foolishly spent his fortune, which left his daughters without dowries. St. Nicholas heard of the girls position and went to their home. He threw pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they landed in the stockings that were during by the fireplace. Santa Clause: Santa Clause began in the 4th Century when Saint Nicholas would spread good will amongst men. He was a generous man that was said to be devoted to children in particular. The legend of the man spread throughout Europe and in Holland his name was transformed into Sinterklass. The way that we see Santa Clause was developed from a poem composed by Clement C. Moore in 1822. He stands for good will on earth, kindness and generosity. Earth: The symbol of Earth is often used to symbolize peace on earth. Ribbons: Ribbons and gift bows represent that we will be tied together in the bonds of goodwill forever. Tree: The Christmas tree is made from an evergreen that symbolizes Gods everlasting love. The lights on the tree represent the stars of heaven. The star on top of the tree represents the star of Bethlehem that the wise men followed to see Baby Jesus. The Christmas tree also represents everlasting life and light. The needles are said to point up towards heaven. Wreath: The wreath represents Gods undying love for us. It has no beginning and no end. Poinsettias: Poinsettias were used in the 17th century Christmas celebrations of Mexican Franciscans. The plant was named after the US Ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, when he brought the plant to the United States in 1828. A legend associated with the poinsettia says that a young Mexican boy realized that he had no gift for the Christ child at the Nativity scene. He gathered the green branches and spread the leaves in a star-shaped flour. The plant is actually not a flower, but the upper leaves are actually bright red leaves. Red and Green Colors: The color red symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus. Green is the perfect background for the red. Green represents youth, hope and nature. (Read Red and Green Colors?) Angels: The angel is a symbol of good and evil spirits in religion. Frankincense: Frankincense was a gift brought to Baby Jesus by the Magi. Frankincense was the purest incense and produced a white smoke, which was a symbol of prayers and praises to those ascending to heaven. Madonna and Child: The Madonna and Child represents the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. Gifts: Gifts are an act of love symbolizing the act of love that God made when sending us Jesus. Gifts are to remind us that Jesus Christ was a gift to us from God. Holly: The thorn of the holly represents the crown of thorns that Jesus wore. The berries symbolize the drops of blood that were shed from him wearing the crown. Holly was also used in Northern Europe to drive away evil spirits. It would be brought into their homes to brighten the mood and to refresh the air. Mistletoe: Mistletoe was used by Druid priests before the birth of Christ in winter celebrations. The plant had no roots, yet it remained green through the winter. The Celtics also believed that mistletoe had healing powers and used it as an antidote for infertility and to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that it was a symbol of peace. The Scandinavians believed the plant was associated with the goddess of love. They believed that those who kissed under the mistletoe would have a promise of luck an happiness in the new year. Christmas Cards: Christmas cards originated in England and were created by boys practicing their writing skills. They would make cards for their parents with Christmas greetings. The first real Christmas card is credited to Sir Henry Cole in 1843. He was the director of Londons Victoria and Albert Museum. He commissioned an artist named John Calcott to draw an illustration that would be used on the card. The card had three panels. The center panel had a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the message said, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” The cards were sent because he was too busy to send individualized messages to his friends. Xmas: Many people believe that the term “Xmas” is disrespectful. However, the Greek word fro Christ is Xristos. The letter “X” was used as a religious symbol in Greece. Europeans have used Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas since the 16th century. Snow: Many people in ancient times believed that the sky was a dome that was supported by heavenly bodies. They believed that the dome had windows and doors that angels, gods, snow, and rain would descend from when needed. In the book of Job, God has the power to send snow down to protect the water, soil and to hinder soldiers in the battlefields. Because snow is white and fresh, it is often a symbol of purity. Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25-Christmas Day-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870. An Ancient Holiday The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking. In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside. Saturnalia In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnaliaa holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculturewas celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun. Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithras birthday was the most sacred day of the year. In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday； the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger. By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to todays Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the lord of misrule and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined debt to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens. An Outlaw Christmas In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under Americas new constitution. Christmas wasnt declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. Irving Reinvents Christmas It wasnt until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday? The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the citys first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America. In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irvings mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irvings fictitious celebrants enjoyed ancient customs, including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irvings book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended in fact, many historians say that Irvings account actually invented tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season. A Christmas Carol Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The storys message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday. The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to spoil them. As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving. Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation. Christmas Facts Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger. In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucousa lot like todays Mardi Gras parties. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings. Christmas wasnt a holiday in early Americain fact Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the countrys first Christmas under the new constitution. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870. The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smiths 1607 Jamestown settlement. Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828. The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s. Rudolph, the most famous reindeer of all, was the product of Robert L. Mays imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store. Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931. Christmas From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Christmas Day redirects here. For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation) and Christmas Day (disambiguation). Christmass redirects here. For the album, see Christmass (album). Christmas Christmas decorations on display. Also called Christs Mass Nativity Noel Feast of the Nativity Observed by Christians Many non-Christians1 Type Christian, cultural Significance Traditional birthday of Jesus Date December 25 January 6 (in Armenia) January 72 (in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches) Observances Gift giving, church services, family and other social gatherings, symbolic decorating Related to Annunciation, Advent, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord Christmas3 or Christmas Day45 is a holiday observed generally on December 256 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.78 The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived,9 the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar,10 or one of various ancient winter festivals.911 Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.12 Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians,113 and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations； including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several similar mythological figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.14 Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world. Contents hide 1 Etymology 2 Celebration o 2.1 Date of celebration 2.1.1 Orthodox churches o 2.2 Commemorating Jesus birth o 2.3 Decorations o 2.4 Music and carols o 2.5 Food o 2.6 Cards o 2.7 Stamps o 2.8 Gift giving 2.8.1 Legendary gift-bringing figures 3 History o 3.1 Pre-Christian background 3.1.1 Dies Natalis Solis Invicti 3.1.2 Winter festivals o 3.2 Christian feast 3.2.1 Feast established 3.2.2 Middle Ages o 3.3 Reformation into the 19th century 4 Controversy and criticism 5 Economics 6 See also 7 References o 7.1 Notes o 7.2 Further reading 8 External links Etymology The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning Christs Mass. It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes msse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.8 Cristes is from Greek Christos and msse is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century.15 Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas. Celebration Further information: Christmas worldwide Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in most countries of the world, even in many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong)； in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees. Notable countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include Peoples Republic of China, (excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Thailand, Nepal, Iran, Turkey and North Korea. Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporate regional and local cultures. For many Christians, participating in a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance. In many Catholic countries, the people hold religious processions or parades in the days preceding Christmas. In other countries, secular processions or parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries. Others practise gift giving on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, and January 6, Epiphany. Date of celebration For many centuries, Christian writers accepted that Christmas was the actual date on which Jesus was born.16 In the early 18th century, scholars began proposing alternative explanations. Isaac Newton argued that the date of Christmas was selected to correspond with the winter solstice,10 which the Romans called bruma and celebrated on December 25.17 In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a paganization that debased the true church.11 According to Judeo-Christian tradition, creation as described in the Genesis creation narrative occurred on the date of the spring equinox, i.e. March 25 on the Roman calendar. This date is now celebrated as Annunciation and as the anniversary of Incarnation.18 In 1889, Louis Duchesne suggested that the date of Christmas was calculated as nine months after Annunciation, the traditional date of the conception of Jesus.19 The December 25 date may have been selected by the church in Rome in the early 4th century. At this time, a church calendar was created and other holidays were also placed on solar dates: It is cosmic symbolism.which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the winter solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ, and the summer solstice as that of John the Baptist, supplemented by the equinoxes as their respective dates of conception. While they were aware that pagans called this day the birthday of Sol Invictus, this did not concern them and it did not play any role in their choice of date for Christmas, according to modern scholar S.E. Hijmans.20 However, today, whether or not the birth date of Jesus is on the 25th of December is not considered to be an important issue in mainstream Christian denominations；212223 rather, the belief that God came into the world, in the form of man, to atone for the sins of humanity is considered to be the primary purpose in celebrating Christmas.212223 Orthodox churches For details on religious observances, see Christmas Eve. Some Eastern Orthodox national churches, including those of Russia, Georgia, Egypt, Ukraine, the Macedonia, Serbia and the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem mark feasts using the older Julian Calendar. December 25 on that calendar currently corresponds to January 7 on the more widely used Gregorian calendar. Oriental Orthodox churches also use their own calendars, which are generally similar to the Julian calendar. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the nativity in combination with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Most Armenian churches use the Gregorian calendar, but some use the Julian calendar and thus celebrate Christmas Day on January 19, and Christmas Eve on January 18 (according to the Gregorian calendar).24 Commemorating Jesus birth Main articles: Annunciation, Nativity of Jesus, and Child Jesus Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary as a fulfillment of the Old Testaments Messianic prophecy.25 The Bible contains two differing accounts which describe the events surrounding Jesus birth.26 These biblical accounts are found in the Gospel of Matthew, namely Matthew 1:18, and the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26 and 2:40. According to these accounts, Jesus was born to Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem. According to popular tradition, the birth took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, though neither the stable nor the animals are specifically mentioned in the Biblical accounts. However, a manger is mentioned in Luke 2:7, where it states, She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Early iconographic representations of the nativity placed the animals and manger within a cave (located, according to tradition, under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem). Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child.27 The Gospel of Matthew also describes a visit by several Magi, or astrologers, who bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. The visitors were said to be following a mysterious star, commonly known as the Star of Bethlehem, believing it to announce the birth of a king of the Jews.28 The commemoration of this visit, the Feast of Epiphany celebrated on January 6, is the formal end of the Christmas season in some churches. Anbetung der Hirten (Adoration of the Shepherds) (c. 1500 10), by Italian painter Giorgio da Castelfranco Christians celebrate Christmas in many ways. In addition to this day being one of the most important and popular for the attendance of church services, there are numerous other devotions and popular traditions. In some Christian denominations, children perform plays re-telling the events of the Nativity, or sing carols that reference the event. Some Christians also display a small re-creation of the Nativity, known as a Nativity scene or crib, in their homes, using figurines to portray the key characters of the event. Live Nativity scenes and tableaux vivants are also performed, using actors and animals to portray the event with more realism.29 Prior to Christmas Day, the Eastern Orthodox Church practises the 40-day Nativity Fast in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, while much of Western Christianity celebrates four weeks of Advent. The final preparations for Christmas are made on Christmas Eve. A long artistic tradition has grown of producing painted depictions of the nativity in art. Nativity scenes are traditionally set in a barn or stable and include Mary, Joseph, the child Jesus, angels, shepherds and the Three Wise Men: Balthazar, Melchior, and Caspar, who are said to have followed a star, known as the Star of Bethlehem, and arrived after his birth.30 Decorations Main article: Christmas decoration See also: Christmas tree, Christmas lights, Christmas stocking, and Christmas ornament A home elaborately decorated with Christmas lights The practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. From pre-Christian times, people in the Roman Empire brought branches from evergreen plants indoors in the winter. Decorating with greenery was also part of Jewish tradition : Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. (Leviticus 23:40) Christian people incorporated such customs in their developing practices. In the 15th century, it was recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be decked with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green.31 The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolise the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion and the blood he shed.32 Nativity scenes are known from 10th-century Rome. They were popularised by Saint Francis of Asissi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe.33 Many different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources. The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children.34 A Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, New York City The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship.35 The English language phrase Christmas tree is first recorded in 183536 and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century35 though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century.3738 From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain.39 By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree.40 Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments. Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage. In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. It is also common in many parts of the world for town squares and consumer shopping areas to sponsor and display decorations. Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places.41 In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. In many countries, a representation of the Nativity Scene is very popular and people are encouraged to compete and create the most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom. In some countries, Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5. The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red.42 Music and carols Main article: Christmas music Christmas carolers in Jersey The first specifically Christmas hymns that we know of appear in 4th century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, were austere statements of the theological doctrine of the Incarnation in opposition to Arianism. Corde natus ex Parentis (Of the Fathers love begotten) by the Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413) is still sung in some churches today.43 In the 9th and 10th centuries, the Christmas Sequence or Prose was introduced in North European monasteries, developing under Bernard of Clairvaux into a sequence of rhymed stanzas. In the 12th century the Parisian monk Adam of St. Victor began to derive music from popular songs, introducing something closer to the traditional Christmas carol. By the 13th century, in France, Germany, and particularly, Italy, under the influence of Francis of Asissi, a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in the native language developed.44 Christmas carols in English first appear in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, a Shropshire chaplain, who lists twenty-five caroles of Cristemas, probably sung by groups of wassailers, who went from house to house.45 The songs we know specifically as carols were originally communal folk songs sung during celebrations such as harvest tide as well as Christmas. It was only later that carols began to be sung in church. Traditionally, carols have often been based on medieval chord patterns, and it is this that gives them their uniquely characteristic musical sound. Some carols like Personent hodie, Good King Wenceslas, and The Holly and the Ivy can be traced directly back to the Middle Ages. They are among the oldest musical compositions still regularly sung. Adeste Fidelis (O Come all ye faithful) appears in its current form in the mid-18th century, although the words may have originated in the 13th century. Child singers in Bucharest, 1841. Singing of carols initially suffered a decline in popularity after the Protestant Reformation in northern Europe, although some Reformers, like Martin Luther, wrote carols and encouraged their use in worship. Carols largely survived in rural communities until the revival of interest in popular songs in the 19th century. The 18th century English reformer Charles Wesley understood the importance of music to worship. In addition to setting many psalms to melodies, which were influential in the Great Awakening in the United States, he wrote texts for at least three Christmas carols. The best known was originally entitled Hark! How All the Welkin Rings, later renamed Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.46 Felix Mendelssohn wrote a melody adapted to fit Wesleys words. In Austria in 1818 Mohr and Gruber made a major addition to the genre when they composed Silent Night for the St. Nicholas Church, Oberndorf. William B. Sandys Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833) contained the first appearance in print of many now-classic English carols, and contributed to the mid-Victorian revival of the festival.47 Completely secular Christmas seasonal songs emerged in the late 18th century. Deck The Halls dates from 1784, and the American, Jingle Bells was copyrighted in 1857. In the 19th and 20th century, African American spirituals and songs about Christmas, based in their tradition of spirituals, became more widely known. An increasing number of seasonal holidays songs were commercially produced in the 20th century, including jazz and blues variations. In addition, there was a revival of interest in early music, from groups singing folk music, such as The Revels, to performers of early medieval and classical music. Food Further information: Christmas dinner A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the holidays celebration for many, and the food that is served varies greatly from country to country. Some regions, such as Sicily, have special meals for Christmas Eve, when 12 kinds of fish are served. In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey (brought from North America), potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake. In Poland and other parts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish often is used for the traditional main course, but richer meat such as lamb is increasingly served. In Germany, France and Austria, goose and pork are favored. Beef, ham and chicken in various recipes are popular throughout the world. Ham is the main meal in the Philippines.Around the world, Christmas celebrations can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Special desserts are also prepared: The Maltese traditionally serve Imbuljuta tal-Qastan,48 a chocolate and chestnuts beverage, after Midnight Mass and throughout the Christmas season. Slovaks prepare the traditional Christmas bread potica, bche de Nol in France, panettone in Italy, and elaborate tarts and cakes. The eating of sweets and chocolates has become popular worldwide, and sweeter Christmas delicacies include the German stollen, marzipan cake or candy, and Jamaican rum fruit cake. As one of the few fruits traditionally available to northern countries in winter, oranges were long associated with special Christmas foods. Cards Main article: Christmas card Christmas cards are illustrated messages of greeting usually exchanged between friends and family members during the weeks preceding Christmas Day. The custom has become popular among a wide cross-section of people, including non-Christians, in Western society and in Asia. The traditional greeting reads wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, much like that of the first commercial Christmas card, produced by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. However there are innumerable variations of this formula, many cards expressing a more religious sentiment, or containing a poem, prayer or Biblical verse； while others distance themselves from religion with an all-inclusive Seasons greetings. Christmas cards are purchased in considerable quantities, and feature artwork, commercially designed and relevant to the season. The content of the design might relate directly to the Christmas narrative with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem, or a white dove which can represent both the Holy Spirit and Peace on Earth. Other Christmas cards are more secular and can depict Christmas traditions, mythical figures such as Santa Claus, objects directly associated with Christmas such as candles, holly and baubles, or a variety of images associated with the season, such as Christmastime activities, snow scenes and the wildlife of the northern winter. There are also humorous cards and genres depicting nostalgic scenes of the past such as crinolined shoppers in idealized 19th century streetscapes. Stamps Main article: Christmas stamp A number of nations have issued commemorative stamps at Christmastime. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mail Christmas cards, and they are popular with philatelists. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are valid for postage year-round. They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities. In 1898 a Canadian stamp was issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The stamp features a map of the globe and bears an inscription XMAS 1898 at the bottom. In 1937, Austria issued two Christmas greeting stamps featuring a rose and the signs of the zodiac. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star of Bethlehem, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. Both the US Postal Service and the Royal Mail regularly issue Christmas-themed stamps each year. Gift giving See also: Gift economy The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration, making the Christmas season the most profitable time of year for retailers and businesses throughout the Western world. Gift giving was common in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, an ancient festival which took place on December 25 and may have influenced Christmas customs.49 Christmas gift giving was banned by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages due to its suspected pagan origins.49 It was later rationalized by the Church on the basis that it associated St. Nicholas with Christmas, and that gifts of frankincense and myrrh were given to the infant Jesus by the Biblical Magi. Legendary gift-bringing figures Main articles: Santa Claus and Father Christmas See also: Saint Nicholas Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, considered by many to be the original Santa Claus. A number of figures of both Christian and mythical origin have been associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. Among these are Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, Pre Nol, and the Weihnachtsmann； Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas； the Christkind； Kris Kringle； Joulupukki； Babbo Natale； Saint Basil； and Father Frost. The most famous and pervasive of these figures in modern celebration worldwide is Santa Claus, a mythical gift bringer, dressed in red, whose origins have diverse sources. The name Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, in modern day Turkey, during the 4th century. Among other saintly attributes, he was noted for the care of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts. His feast on the 6th of December came to be celebrated in many countries with the giving of gifts. Saint Nicholas traditionally appeared in bishoply attire, accompanied by helpers, and enquired about the behaviour of children during the past year before deciding whether they deserved a gift or not. By the 13th century Saint Nicholas was well known in the Netherlands, and the practice of gift-giving in his name spread to other parts of central and southern Europe. At the Reformation in 16th 17th century Europe, many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, corrupted in English to Kris Kringle, and the date of giving gifts changed from December the 6th to Christmas Eve.50 The modern popular image of Santa Claus, however, was created in the United States, and in particular in New York. The transformation was accomplished with the aid of six notable contributors including Washington Irving and the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840 1902). Following the American Revolutionary War, some of the inhabitants of New York City sought out symbols of the citys non-English past. New York had originally been established as the Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam and the Dutch Sinterklaas tradition was reinvented as Saint Nicholas.51 In 1809, the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Sancte Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City.52 At his first American appearance in 1810, Santa Claus was drawn in bishops robes. However as new artists took over, Santa Claus developed more secular attire.53 Nast drew a new image of Santa Claus annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nasts Santa had evolved into the robed, fur clad, form we now recognize, perhaps based on the English figure of Father Christmas. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.54 Santa Claus is famous around the world for giving gifts to good children Father Christmas, a jolly, well nourished, bearded man who typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, predates the Santa Claus character. He is first recorded in early 17th century England, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness rather than the bringing of gifts.36 In Victorian Britain, his image was remade to match that of Santa. The French Pre Nol evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image. In Italy, Babbo Natale acts as Santa Claus, while La Befana is the bringer of gifts and arrives on the eve of the Epiphany. It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way. Now, she brings gifts to all children. In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter. In other versions, elves make the toys. His wife is referred to as Mrs. Claus. There has been some opposition to the narrative of the American evolution of Saint Nicholas into the modern Santa. It has been claimed that the Saint Nicholas Society was not founded until 1835, almost half a century after the end of the American War of Independence.55 Moreover, a study of the childrens books, periodicals and journals of New Amsterdam by Charles Jones revealed no references to Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas.56 However, not all scholars agree with Joness findings, which he reiterated in a booklength study in 1978；57 Howard G. Hageman, of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, maintains that the tradition of celebrating Sinterklaas in New York was alive and well from the early settlement of the Hudson Valley on.58 Current tradition in several Latin American countries (such as Venezuela and Colombia) holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who actually delivers them to the childrens homes, a reconciliation between traditional religious beliefs and the iconography of Santa Claus imported from the United States. In Alto Adige/Sdtirol (Italy), Austria, Czech Republic, Southern Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Slovakia and Switzerland, the Christkind (Jeek in Czech, Jzuska in Hungarian and Jeiko in Slovak) brings the presents. The German St. Nikolaus is not identical with the Weihnachtsman (who is the German version of Santa Claus). St. Nikolaus wears a bishops dress and still brings small gifts (usually candies, nuts and fruits) on December 6 and is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht. Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus and other gift bringers, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive.59 History Mosaic of Jesus as Christo Sole (Christ the Sun) in Mausoleum M in the pre-fourth-century necropolis under St Peters Basilica in Rome.60 Pre-Christian background Dies Natalis Solis Invicti Main article: Sol Invictus Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means the birthday of the unconquered sun. Modern scholars have argued that the festival was placed on the date of the solstice because this was on this day that the Sun reversed its southward retreat and proved itself to be unconquered.citation needed Some early Christian writers connected the rebirth of the sun to the birth of Jesus.8O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun was born.Christ should be born, Cyprian wrote.8 John Chrysostom also commented on the connection: They call it the Birthday of the Unconquered. Who indeed is so unconquered as Our Lord . . .?8 Although Dies Natalis Solis Invicti has been the subject of a great deal of scholarly speculation,.citation needed the only ancient source for it is a single mention in the Chronography of 354, and Hijmans argues that there is no evidence that the celebration precedes that of Christmas.20While the winter solstice on or around the 25th of December was well established in the Roman imperial calendar, there is no evidence that a religious celebration of Sol on that day antedated the celebration of Christmas, and none that indicates that Aurelian had a hand in its institution, according to modern Sol scholar Steven Hijmans.20 Winter festivals Main article: List of winter festivals A winter festival was the most popular festival of the year in many cultures. Reasons included the fact that less agricultural work needs to be done during the winter, as well as an expectation of better weather as spring approached.61 Modern Christmas customs include: gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia； greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year； and Yule logs and various foods from Germanic feasts.62 Pagan Scandinavia celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period.citation needed As Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, its pagan traditions had a major influence on Christmas.citation needed Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul. In English, the word Yule is synonymous with Christmas,63 a usage first recorded in 900. Christian feast The New Testament does not give a date for the birth of Jesus.864 Around AD 200, Clement of Alexandria wrote that a group in Egypt celebrated the nativity on 25 Pashons.8 This corresponds to May 20.65 Tertullian (d. 220) does not mention Christmas as a major feast day in the Church of Roman Africa.8 However, in Chronographai, a reference work published in 221, Sextus Julius Africanus suggested that Jesus was conceived on the spring equinox, popularizing the idea that Christ was born on December 25.6667 The equinox was March 25 on the Roman calendar, so this implied a birth in December.68 De Pascha Computus, a calendar of feasts produced in 243, gives March 28 as the date of the nativity.69 In 245, the theologian Origen of Alexandria stated that, only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) celebrated their birthdays.70 In 303, Christian writer Arnobius ridiculed the idea of celebrating the birthdays of gods, which suggests that Christmas was not yet a feast at this time.8 Feast established The earliest known reference to the date of the nativity as December 25 is found in the Chronography of 354, an illuminated manuscript compiled in Rome.71 In the East, early Christians celebrated the birth of Christ as part of Epiphany (January 6), although this festival emphasized celebration of the baptism of Jesus.72 Christmas was promoted in the Christian East as part of the revival of Catholicism following the death of the pro-Arian Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. The feast was introduced to Constantinople in 379, and to Antioch in about 380. The feast disappeared after Gregory of Nazianzus resigned as bishop in 381, although it was reintroduced by John Chrysostom in about 400.8 The Examination and Trial of Father Christmas, (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England. Middle Ages In the Early Middle Ages, Christmas Day was overshadowed by Epiphany, which in the west focused on the visit of the magi. But the Medieval calendar was dominated by Christmas-related holidays. The forty days before Christmas became the forty days of St. Martin (which began on November 11, the feast of St. Martin of Tours), now known as Advent.73 In Italy, former Saturnalian traditions were attached to Advent.73 Around the 12th century, these traditions transferred again to the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25 January 5)； a time that appears in the liturgical calendars as Christmastide or Twelve Holy Days.73 The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor on Christmas Day in 800. King Edmund the Martyr was anointed on Christmas in 855 and King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066. By the High Middle Ages, the holiday had become so prominent that chroniclers routinely noted where various magnates celebrated Christmas. King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377 at which twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep were eaten.73 The Yule boar was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. Caroling also became popular, and was originally a group of dancers who sang. The group was composed of a lead singer and a ring of dancers that provided the chorus. Various writers of the time condemned caroling as lewd, indicating that the unruly traditions of Saturnalia and Yule may have continued in this form.73 Misrule drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling was also an important aspect of the festival. In England, gifts were exchanged on New Years Day, and there was special Christmas ale.73 Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival that incorporated ivy, holly, and other evergreens.74 Christmas gift-giving during the Middle Ages was usually between people with legal relationships, such as tenant and landlord.74 The annual indulgence in eating, dancing, singing, sporting, card playing escalated in England, and by the 17th century the Christmas season featured lavish dinners, elaborate masques and pageants. In 1607, King James I insisted that a play be acted on Christmas night and that the court indulge in games.75 It was during the Reformation in 16th 17th century Europe, that many Protestants changed the gift bringer to the Christ Child or Christkindl, and the date of giving gifts changed from December 6 to Christmas Eve.50 Reformation into the 19th century Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present. From Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, 1843 Following the Protestant Reformation, groups such as the Puritans strongly condemned the celebration of Christmas, considering it a Catholic invention and the trappings of popery or the rags of the Beast.76 The Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in a more religiously oriented form. King Charles I of England directed his noblemen and gentry to return to their landed estates in midwinter to keep up their old style Christmas generosity.75 Following the Parliamentarian victory over Charles I during the English Civil War, Englands Puritan rulers banned Christmas in 1647.76 Protests followed as pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities and for weeks Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans.76 The book, The Vindication of Christmas (London, 1652), argued against the Puritans, and makes note of Old English Christmas traditions, dinner, roast apples on the fire, card playing, dances with plow-boys and maidservants, and carol singing.77 The Restoration of King Charles II in 1660 ended the ban, but many clergymen still disapproved of Christmas celebration. In Scotland, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland also discouraged observance of Christmas. James VI commanded its celebration in 1618, however attendance at church was scant.78 In Colonial America, the Puritans of New England shared radical Protestant disapproval of Christmas. Celebration was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. The ban by the Pilgrims was revoked in 1681 by English governor Sir Edmund Andros, however it was not until the mid-19th century that celebrating Christmas became fashionable in the Boston region.79 At the same time, Christian residents of Virginia and New York observed the holiday freely. Pennsylvania German Settlers, pre-eminently the Moravian settlers of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz in Pennsylvania and the Wachovia Settlements in North Carolina, were enthusiastic celebrators of Christmas. The Moravians in Bethlehem had the first Christmas trees in America as well as the first Nativity Scenes.80 Christmas fell out of favor in the United States after the American Revolution, when it was considered an English custom.81 George Washington attacked Hessian (German) mercenaries on Christmas during the Battle of Trenton in 1777, Christmas being much more popular in Germany than in America at this time. By the 1820s, sectarian tension had eased in Britain and writers, including William Winstanly, began to worry that Christmas was dying out. These writers imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration, and efforts were made to revive the holiday. In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote the novel A Christmas Carol, that helped revive the spirit of Christmas and seasonal merriment.8283 Its instant popularity played a major role in portraying Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion.84 Dickens sought to construct Christmas as a family-centered festival of generosity, in contrast to the community-based and church-centered observations, the observance of which had dwindled during the late 18th century and early 19th century.85 Superimposing his secular vision of the holiday, Dickens influenced many aspects of Christmas that are celebrated today in Western culture, such as family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and a festive generosity of spirit.86 A prominent phrase from the tale, Merry Christmas, was popularized following the appearance of the story.87 The term Scrooge became a synonym for miser, with Bah! Humbug! dismissive of the festive spirit.88 In 1843, the first commercial Christmas card was produced by Sir Henry Cole.89 The revival of the Christmas Carol began with William B. Sandys Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833), with the first appearance in print of The First Noel, I Saw Three Ships, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, popularized in Dickens A Christmas Carol. The Queens Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, 1848. Republished in Godeys Ladys Book, Philadelphia December, 1850. In Britain, the Christmas tree was introduced in the early 19th century following the personal union with the Kingdom of Hanover, by Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen to King George III. In 1832 a young Queen Victoria wrote about her delight at having a Christmas tree, hung with lights, ornaments, and presents placed round it.90 After her marriage to her German cousin Prince Albert, by 1841 the custom became more widespread throughout Britain.39 An image of the British royal family with their Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, created a sensation when it was published in the Illustrated London News in 1848. A modified version of this image was published in the United States in 1850.4091 By the 1870s, putting up a Christmas tree had become common in America.40 In America, interest in Christmas had been revived in the 1820s by several short stories by Washington Irving which appear in his The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon and Old Christmas. Irvings stories depicted harmonious warm-hearted English Christmas festivities he experienced while staying in Aston Hall, Birmingham, England, that had largely been abandoned,92 and he used the tract Vindication of Christmas (1652) of Old English Christmas traditions, that he had transcribed into his journal as a format for his stories.75 In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem A Visit From St. Nicholas (popularly known by its first line: Twas the Night Before Christmas).93 The poem helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance.94 This also started the cultural conflict of the holidays spiritualism and its commercialism that some see as corrupting the holiday. In her 1850 book The First Christmas in New England, Harriet Beecher Stowe includes a character who complains that the true meaning of Christmas was lost in a shopping spree.95 While the celebration of Christmas wasnt yet customary in some regions in the U.S., Henry Wadsworth Longfellow detected a transition state about Christmas here in New England in 1856. The old puritan feeling prevents it from being a cheerful, hearty holiday； though every year makes it more so.96 In Reading, Pennsylvania, a newspaper remarked in 1861, Even our presbyterian friends who have hitherto steadfastly ignored Christmas threw open their church doors and assembled in force to celebrate the anniversary of the Saviors birth.96 The First Congregational Church of Rockford, Illinois, although of genuine Puritan stock, was preparing for a grand Christmas jubilee, a news correspondent reported in 1864.96 By 1860, fourteen states including several from New England had adopted Christmas as a legal holiday.97 In 1870, Christmas was formally declared a United States Federal holiday, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant.97 Subsequently, in 1875, Louis Prang introduced the Christmas card to Americans. He has been called the father of the American Christmas card.98 Controversy and criticism Main article: Christmas controversy Throughout the holidays history, Christmas has been the subject of both controversy and criticism from a wide variety of different sources. The first documented Christmas controversy was Christian-led, and began during the English Interregnum, when England was ruled by a Puritan Parliament.99 Puritans (including those who fled to America) sought to remove the remaining pagan elements of Christmas. During this period, the English Parliament banned the celebration of Christmas entirely, considering it a popish festival with no biblical justification, and a time of wasteful and immoral behavior.100 Controversy and criticism continues in the present-day, where some Christian and non-Christians have claimed that an affront to Christmas (dubbed a war on Christmas by some) is ongoing.101102 In the United States there has been a tendency to replace the greeting Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays.103 Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have initiated court cases to bar the display of images and other material referring to Christmas from public property, including schools.104 Such groups argue that government-funded displays of Christmas imagery and traditions violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the establishment by Congress of a national religion.105 In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lynch vs. Donnelly that a Christmas display (which included a Nativity scene) owned and displayed by the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island did not violate the First Amendment.106 In November 2009, the Federal appeals court in Philadelphia endorsed a school districts ban on the singing of Christmas carols.107 In the private sphere also, it has been alleged that any specific mention of the term Christmas or its religious aspects was being increasingly censored, avoided, or discouraged by a number of advertisers and retailers. In response, the American Family Association and other groups have organized boycotts of individual retailers.108 In the United Kingdom there have also been some controversies, one of the most famous being the temporary promotion of the Christmas period as Winterval by Birmingham City Council in 1998. There were also protests in November 2009 when the city of Dundee promoted its celebrations as the Winter Night Light festival, initially with no specific Christmas references.109 Economics See also: Christmas in the media, Christmas tree production, Christmas tree cultivation, and Christmas Price Index Christmas market in Metz, France. Christmas is typically the largest annual economic stimulus for many nations around the world. Sales increase dramatically in almost all retail areas and shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies. In the U.S., the Christmas shopping season starts as early as October .110111 In Canada, merchants begin advertising campaigns just before Halloween (October 31), and step up their marketing following Remembrance Day on November 11. In the United States, it has been calculated that a quarter of all personal spending takes place during the Christmas/holiday shopping season.112 Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that expenditure in department stores nationwide rose from $20.8 billion in November 2004 to $31.9 billion in December 2004, an increase of 54 percent. In other sectors, the pre-Christmas increase in spending was even greater, there being a November December buying surge of 100 percent in bookstores and 170 percent in jewelry stores. In the same year employment in American retail stores rose from 1.6 million to 1.8 million in the two months leading up to Christmas.113 Industries completely dependent on Christmas include Christmas cards, of which 1.9 billion are sent in the United States each year, and live Christmas Trees, of which 20.8 million were cut in the USA in 2002.114 In most Western nations, Christmas Day is the least active day of the year for business and commerce； almost all retail, commercial and institutional businesses are closed, and almost all industries cease activity (more than any other day of the year). In England and Wales, the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 prevents all large shops from trading on Christmas Day. Scotland is currently planning similar legislation. Film studios release many high-budget movies during the holiday season, including Christmas films, fantasy movies or high-tone dramas with high production values. One economists analysis calculates that, despite increased overall spending, Christmas is a deadweight loss under orthodox microeconomic theory, because of the effect of gift-giving. This loss is calculated as the difference between what the gift giver spent on the item and what the gift receiver would have paid for the item. It is estimated that in 2001, Christmas resulted in a $4 billion deadweight loss in the U.S. alone.115116 Because of complicating factors, this analysis is sometimes used to discuss possible flaws in current microeconomic theory. Other deadweight losses include the effects of Christmas on the environment and the fact that material gifts are often perceived as white elephants, imposing cost for upkeep and storage and contributing to clutter.117 See also Christmas portal Holidays portal Christmas Eve Christmas Sunday Christmas worldwide Christmas controversy Holiday season Little Christmas Midwinter Christmas Midwinter Twelve days of Christmas Yuletide References Notes 1. a b Christmas as a Multi-faith Festival BBC News. Retrieved September 30, 2008. 2. Christmas: January 7 or December 25? Coptic Orthodox Church Network. John Ramzy. Retrieved on December 31, 2009. 3. Canadian Heritage Public holidays Government of Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 4. 2009 Federal Holidays U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 5. Bank holidays and British Summer time HM Government. Retrieved November 27, 2009. 6. Those traditions using the Julian calendar celebrate on December 25 according to that calendar, which is now January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Armenian Churches observed the nativity on January 6 even before the Gregorian calendar originated. Most Armenian Christians use the Gregorian calendar, still celebrating Christmas Day on January 6. Some Armenian churches use the Julian calendar, thus celebrating Christmas Day on January 19 on the Gregorian calendar, with January 18 being Christmas Eve. 7. Christmas, Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 6, 2008. Christmas, MSN Encarta. Retrieved October 6, 2008. Archived 2009-10-31. 8. a b c d e f g h i j Christmas, The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. 9. a b How December 25 Became Christmas, Biblical Archaeology Review, Retrieved 2009-12-13 10. a b Newton, Isaac, Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John (1733). Ch. XI. A sun connection is possible because Christians consider Jesus to be the sun of righteousness prophesied in Malachi 4:2. 11. a b Christmas, Encarta Roll, Susan K., Toward the Origins of Christmas, (Peeters Publishers, 1995), p.130. Tighe, William J., Calculating Christmas. Archived 2009-10-31. 12. The Christmas Season. CRI / Voice, Institute. /cyxmas.html. Retrieved 2008-12-25. 13. Non-Christians focus on secular side of Christmas Sioux City Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2009. 14. Poll: In a changing nation, Santa endures, Associated Press, December 22, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2009. 15. Oxford English Dictionary 16. For example, Pope Benedict XIV argued in 1761 that the church fathers would have known the correct date of birth from Roman census records. (Roll, Susan K., Toward the Origins of Christmas, (Peeters Publishers, 1995), p. 129.) 17. Bruma, Seasonal Festivals of the Greeks and Romans Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 18:59 18. Choosing the Date of Christmas: Why is Christmas Celebrated on December 25?. Ancient and Future Catholics. /christmasdate.html. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 19. Roll, pp. 88 90. Duchesne, Louis, Les Origines du Culte Chrtien, Paris, 1902, 262 ff. 20. a b c S.E. Hijmans, Sol, the sun in the art and religions of Rome, 2009, pp. 587 588. 21. a b The Liturgical Year. Thomas Nelson. /books?id=inhMGc5732kC&pg=PT40&dq=date+of+christmas+important&hl=en&ei=7T3GTOWcKMGp8Abk_XkDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=date%20of%20christmas%20important&f=false. Retrieved 2009-04-02. Christmas is not really about the celebration of a birth date at all. It is about the celebration of a birth. The fact of the date and the fact of the birth are two different things. The calendrical verification of the feast itself is not really that important.What is important to the understanding of a life-changing moment is that it happened, not necessarily where of when it happened. The message is clear: Christmas is not about marking the actual birth date of Jesus. It is about the Incarnation of the One who became like us in all things but sin (Heb. 4:15) and who humbled Himself to the point of death-even death on a cross (Phil. 2:8). Christmas is a pinnacle feast, yes, but it is not the beginning of the liturgical year. It is a memorial, a remembrance, of the birth of Jesus, not really a celebration of the day itself. We remember that because the Jesus of history was born, the Resurrection of the Christ of faith could happen. 22. a b The Christmas Season. CRI / Voice, Institute. /cyxmas.html. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 23. a b The School Journal, Volume 49. Harvard University. /books?id=x_kBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA469&dq=date+of+christmas+unimportant&hl=en&ei=2gTwTPL2EoOnnAfa-pynCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=date%20of%20christmas%20unimportant&f=false. Retrieved 2009-04-02. Throughout the Christian world the 25th of December is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ. There was a time when the churches were not united regarding the date of the joyous event. Many Christians kept their Christmas in April, others in May, and still others at the close of September, till finally December 25 was agreed upon as the most appropriate date. The choice of that day was, of course, wholly abritrary, for neither the exact date not the period of the year at which the birth of Christ occurred is known. For purposes of commemoration, however, it is unimportant whether the celebration shall fall or not a the precise anniversary of the joyous event. 24. Christmas in Bethlehem. /israel/bethlehem-christmas. 25. Geza Vermes, The Nativity: History and Legend, London, Penguin, 2006, p22.； E. P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus, 1993, p.85. 26. Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing The Hidden Contradictions In The Bible (And Why We Dont Know About Them), Harper Collins, 2009, Bart D. Ehrman, P. 19-60 27. Luke 2:1 6 28. Matthew 2:2. 29. Krug, Nora. Little Towns of Bethlehem, The New York Times, November 25, 2005. 30. Matthew 2:1 11 31. Miles, Clement A, Christmas customs and traditions, Courier Dover Publications, 1976, ISBN 0-486-23354-5, p. 272 32. Heller, Ruth, Christmas: Its Carols, Customs & Legends, Alfred Publishing (1985), ISBN 0-7692-4399-1, p. 12 33. Collins, Ace, Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, Zondervan, (2003), ISBN 0-310-24880-9 p.47 34. Collins p. 83 35. a b van Renterghem, Tony. When Santa was a shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995. ISBN 1-56718-765-X 36. a b Harper, Douglas, Christ, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001. 37. The Chronological History of the Christmas Tree. The Christmas Archives. /trees.html. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 38. Christmas Tradition The Christmas Tree Custom. Fashion Era. /Christmas/christmas_customs_tree_history.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 39. a b Lejeune, Marie Claire. Compendium of symbolic and ritual plants in Europe, p.550. University of Michigan ISBN 90-77135-04-9 40. a b c Shoemaker, Alfred Lewis. (1959) Christmas in Pennsylvania: a folk-cultural study. Edition 40. pp. 52, 53. Stackpole Books 1999. ISBN 0-8117-0328-2. 41. Murray, Brian. Christmas lights and community building in America, History Matters, Spring 2006. 42. Hal Siemer, Christmas Magic: The History and Traditions of the Holiday, QuestM, 2004-12-02. 43. Miles, Clement, Christmas customs and traditions, Courier Dover Publications, 1976, ISBN 0-486-23354-5, p.32 44. Miles, pp. 31 37 45. Miles, pp. 47 48 46. Dudley-Smith, Timothy (1987). A Flame of Love. London: Triangle/SPCK. ISBN 0-281-04300-0. 47. Richard Michael Kelly. A Christmas carol p.10. Broadview Press, 2003 ISBN 1-55111-476-3 48. Imbuljuta 49. a b The Origin of American Christmas Myths and Customs Ball State University. Swartz Jr., BK. Retrieved November 4, 2010. 50. a b Forbes, Bruce David, Christmas: a candid history, University of California Press, 2007, ISBN 0-520-25104-0, pp. 68 79. 51. Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Santa Claus 52. John Steele Gordon, The Great Game: The Emergence of Wall Street as a World Power: 1653 2000 (Scribner) 1999. 53. Forbes, Bruce David, Christmas: a candid history, pp. 80 81. 54. Mikkelson, Barbara and David P., The Claus That Refreshes, S, 2006. 55. History of the Society. The Saint Nicholas