Celebrated on Dec. 25 is a religious holiday known worldwide as Christmas. More than 2 billion people today mark this day on their calendar. Christians celebrate the day as the birth of Jesus Christ.
Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians have been celebrating this holiday since 336 CE.
“In fact, the Christian celebration of Christmas was invented by Romans as a way to co-opt and tame the raucous pagan holiday of Saturnalia, which was itself essentially a celebration of the days getting longer after the winter solstice,” said Public Affairs Officer Jade McClain.
Decorating the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and writing a letter to Santa are common traditions to show the Christmas spirit.
According to the Salvation Army, “Every year, around the world, people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, 25 December. It’s a day – and season – filled with Christmas carols, tree decorating, gift-giving and parties.”
Christmas trees are one of the most common traditions, whether it is putting it up the day after Thanksgiving or waiting a couple more days until December.
According to Christmas Light Source, “This tradition can be traced back to Germany in the 17th century, and over the next two centuries, it became a widespread practice in Germany and eventually spread to other countries in Eastern Europe. The original purpose of these candles was to bring illumination to the ornaments adorning the tree.”
The holiday comes from the history of Jesus. The name comes from the sacrifices he made to the people around him.
According to the Economic Times, “Christmas and its meaning are multifaceted. Eucharist or Communion is a Mass in which Jesus died for his people and was resurrected. The ‘Christ-Mass’ took place between dusk and daybreak, hence the Midnight custom. Christ-Mass became Christmas.”
Churches tend to celebrate the day before Christmas due to the theory of Jesus being born at midnight.
According to Lignoma Magazine, “Christians gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Non-Christian people also celebrate this day as a family holiday with presents, a special meal and plenty of lights and decorations.”
During the holiday season, Christmas caroling is a tradition performed throughout to feel the joy of the holiday spirit. It may be a dying tradition, but it can still be brought back.
According to History.Com Editors, “English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story’s 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.”
Christmas is most known for the man that most children idolize, the man who brings the Christmas presents and makes all kids excited to wake up the next morning: Santa Claus. Yet, not many people know why he is known for this holiday.
According to France-Amerique, “Much earlier, the American cartoonist Thomas Nast fashioned Santa Claus’s image on the pages of the American magazine Harper’s Weekly. The character of Santa Claus is believed to descend from Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century.”
The holiday allows friends, family and loved ones to gather together during this time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Cherishing the moments from the past year is what makes Christmas popular across the world.
“Christmas is my favorite holiday because the holiday feeling brings smiles and joy to the people around,”
Plainfield North High School senior Ava Salcedo said. “When being with the people I love most during the season, nothing else seems to matter except being in the moment.”