The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of the
Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child
was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the Yule log, the
giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carolers who sing
while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church
processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. These
traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years.
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus
Christ. No one knows the exact day of the Christ's birth it has never
been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the
year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the
Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of
Rome, Julius I, choose 25th December as the observance of Christmas
since than it is celebrated on this day around the world. Fundamentally
Christmas celebration is based on the intertwining of two ethnic
patterns, Roman transition rites and Germano-Celtic Yule (jiuleis)
rites-feasting and mortuary practice. On this day, many go to church,
where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas
season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly,
mistletoe, and Christmas trees.
The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase
that means Mass of Christ. The first mention of 25th December as the
birth date of Jesus occurred in 336 A.D. in an early Roman calendar. The
celebration of Jesus's birth date as Christmas, was probably influenced
by Pagan (unchristian) festivals held at that time. For most Christians,
the Christmas season begins on the Sunday nearest 30th November. This
date is the feast day of Saint Andrew, one of the 12 apostles of Christ.
The nearest Sunday is the first day of Advent, a four-week period during
which Christians prepare for the celebration of Christmas. The word
advent means a coming and refers to the coming of Jesus on Christmas
Day. For Christians, the Christmas season reaches its climax at midnight
Mass or other religious services on Christmas Eve, which is the 'D' day
of celebration. . Churches are decorated with candles, lights, evergreen
branches, and bright red poinsettias. People sing Christmas carols and
listen to readings from the Gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew.
Priests and ministers speak to the congregations about the coming of
Christ and the need for peace and understanding among all people. Most
churches also hold services on Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends
on Epiphany, 6th January. In Western Christian churches, Epiphany
celebrates the coming of the Wise Men to the Christ child.
