Christmas Day- Introduction, History, Celebration, Countries That Do Not Celebrate It

Christmas is a yearly event observed by most people throughout the world on December 25th, the birth of Jesus Christ. Small sections of Eastern Christians use the Julian calendar, which places it on January 7 on the Gregorian calendar, which is December 25 on their calendar. Even before the Gregorian calendar, Armenian churches celebrated Christmas on January 6. The Gregorian calendar is still used by the majority of Armenian Christians, who celebrate Christmas on January 6. Regardless of the disputes surrounding the date, Christmas is celebrated as a religious and social event by people all over the world. It is the year's most important Christian celebration.

History:

The Nativity stories of Matthew and Luke are notable in the gospels, and early Christian authors advocated various dates for the beginning of this event. In the year 336, the first known Christmas celebration took place in Rome. Christmas took on a role in the fourth-century Arian controversy. It was dominated by Epiphany in the early Middle Ages. It regained prominence after the year 800 when Charlemagne was appointed as the head on Christmas Day.

Most Christians now celebrate on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which is generally recognized in the standard calendars used by governments across the globe. In any case, certain Eastern Christian Churches mark this event on December 25 of the more established Julian calendar, which corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar.

This is not an argument over the general date of Christmas, but rather about which timeline should be utilized to determine December 25. To be universal, the Church designated the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany as one connected festal cycle at the Council of Tours in 567.

Events:

Christmas Day is associated with a wide range of festivals across the world, including many non-Christians. Prior provincial decrees highlighted the festival in several non-Christian regions, including Hong Kong. Christian minority or remote sociocultural factors have driven people to commemorate this feast in other countries. Nations such as Japan, where Christmas is celebrated despite the presence of only a few Christians, have absorbed many common characteristics of the holiday, such as gift-giving, decorations, and Christmas trees.

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (apart from Hong Kong and Macau), North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and the United Arab Emirates are among the nations that do not observe Christmas. However, as time has passed, people in other countries have begun to commemorate this day.

Christmas in India: 

India has a sizable Christian community. Furthermore, being a secular country, all religious festivals are honored with equal delight and concern. Christmas is not unlike the festivities observed in India. It is observed by people of all faiths and beliefs. Schools hold special assemblies to educate students about the significance of this occasion. People adorn their houses and offer youngsters gifts.

Decorations: 

The tradition of adorning trees on this day dates back a long time. In the fourteenth century, it was customary in London for each home and all the surrounding buildings to be "decked with holm, coves, and ivy which stood to be green at all times of the year." Ivy's heart-shaped leaves were thought to represent Jesus' arrival on earth, while holly was thought to be a deterrent to witches. Its crimson berries and thistles reflect Jesus' Crown of Thorns and the blood he shed during his execution.

The Christmas tree was originally utilised by German Lutherans in the sixteenth century, according to documents, with one being placed in Strassburg Cathedral in 1539, under the administration of Protestant Reformer Martin Bucer. The Moravians adorn the trees with lighted candles. According to The School Journal in 1897, after putting up the Christmas tree, many people placed a star on top of the tree to represent the Star of Bethlehem.

In the nineteenth century, it was popular to install an angel atop a tree. This was designed to represent the angels mentioned in Jesus' birth legends. Come see the Christmas tree as a Christianization of agnostic tradition and custom surrounding the Winter Solstice, combining the usage of evergreen limbs with an adaptation of agnostic tree worship.

Traditional Cuisine:

Depending on the location, several traditional foods are available on this day. A few locations, such as Sicily, provide unique Christmas Eve suppers, such as 12 different types of fish. A typical feast in the United Kingdom and nations influenced by its customs includes turkey, geese, or other large flying creatures, sauce, potatoes, vegetables, and perhaps bread and juice. Extraordinary sweets, for example, pudding, mince pies, nutty surprise, and Yule log cake, are also available.

Santa Claus: 

Santa Claus is an important feature of the Christmas celebrations. According to mythology, Santa Claus brings presents to good children on the night of December 24th, the eve of Christmas. On this day, children go to bed early in the hopes of receiving a present from Santa Claus when they wake up the next morning. They also store cookies and milk beside their beds for Santa, as well as a carrot for Santa's reindeer, which he rides as part of the ritual. Jingle Bells, a classic poem, commemorates Santa's arrival to distribute presents.

Conclusion: 

Despite being a Christian event, Christmas is celebrated by people of many religions and faiths all around the world. It is the core of this celebration that brings so many people together. We should learn the value of such togetherness from this event, and we should all enjoy the holidays together, regardless of our religious beliefs. Festivals are most likely a means that can keep people connected for the development of humanity.