What is Christmas?
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated every year on December 25, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. However, this celebration also has pagan roots, including the winter solstice and the celebration of Yule. Christmas Day is also a public holiday, where people gather with family to celebrate and celebrate together. Christmas traditions vary from country to country, but they all focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with family and friends.
According to legend, Santa Claus travels the skies on his magical sleigh, delivering gifts to children around the world.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of the holiday, decorated with tinsel, baubles and elves. The manger, or Nativity scene, is another important element of Christmas decoration, depicting the birth of Christ in a stable. People also enjoy decorating their homes with holly, lights and sometimes singing a Christmas carol.
There are Christmas stories and tales, such as Scrooge’s, that remind people of the importance of generosity and kindness during the holidays.
Before the party…
The Advent season, which precedes the Christmas holiday season, is a time of spiritual preparation and reflection. People prepare for the holiday by lighting candles, decorating their homes, and buying a gift (or several!). Christmas Eve is also known as St. Nicholas’ Eve or Epiphany when the Three Wise Men are celebrated.
New Year’s Eve
Christmas Eve is a time of celebration and festive tradition with the family where we often enjoy a Yule log, a turkey or a black pudding, accompanied by a Christmas cake.
But for believers, Midnight Mass, or Nativity Mass, is a central part of the Christian celebration of Christmas. Catholic believers attend church to hear liturgical hymns and celebrate the birth of Christ.
Then, Christmas gifts are given on Christmas morning, often placed under the tree by Santa or his elves. Children wait impatiently to discover the toys they have asked for and pray very hard that THE long-awaited toy will be there. The phrase “Merry Christmas!” is often exclaimed by guests when the gift is given.
After the party…
The Christmas holiday continues until New Year’s, when people celebrate the end of the year (New Year’s Day) and wish each other a “Happy New Year”. The Christmas holidays are also a time when people gather for festive evenings and traditional meals.
