SHAHEDNEWS: Today, Christians around the world celebrated Christmas. On this occasion, let’s get a little deeper into the holiday, its philosophy, and the reasons behind its traditions.
According to SHAHEDNEWS, If you’ve ever wondered what differentiates Christmas from New Year’s Day, why people put up Christmas trees in their homes, or why they hang stockings over fireplaces, read on for answers to these questions and more.
Christmas is not the same as New Year’s Day. Christmas, celebrated on December 25, is a religious holiday for Christians, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, New Year’s Day celebrates the end of one calendar year and the beginning of the next, occurring on January 1.
The exact reason for choosing December 25 for Christmas remains unclear since the Bible does not specify Jesus Christ’s birth date. Early Christians debated this matter for years. Initially, they believed January 6 to be Christ's birthday, associating it with the day of His death. They thought prophets died on the same day their conception occurred. However, before the 4th century, the date was changed to December 25.
Some sources suggest this date was chosen to overshadow pagan winter solstice celebrations held on the same day. Others disagree with this theory. Regardless of the reasoning, December 25 has remained the fixed date for Christmas.
Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, wasn’t always the jolly, red-suited, white-bearded figure we know today. In the 4th century, Saint Nicholas, a real person in Greece, became renowned for his generosity.
In Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) would arrive mid-November, wearing a crimson bishop’s hat and carrying gifts by boat to the Netherlands. Riding his white horse, he distributed presents among the people. Over time, Sinterklaas evolved into Santa Claus, and his horse was replaced with a sleigh drawn by flying reindeer.
The use of evergreen trees during winter festivities dates back thousands of years. Pagans used evergreen branches to remind themselves of the return of spring. Romans placed these trees around their temples to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture.
The first use of a fir tree as a Christmas tree occurred in Tallinn, Estonia, or Riga, Latvia (both cities claim to be the birthplace). By the 16th century, German Christians adopted fir trees as symbols of eternal life, placing them in their homes. The tradition spread to Britain when Queen Victoria’s German husband, Prince Albert, set up a Christmas tree in their palace.
Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, is said to have first lit a Christmas tree. Legend has it that one evening, he was moved by the sight of stars shining through the trees in a forest. To recreate this beauty, he placed candles on the branches of a tree in his home.
According to legend, Saint Nicholas heard of a poor widower worried that his three daughters would never marry due to their poverty. He secretly visited their home one night and slipped gold coins into stockings hung by the fireplace to dry.
The daughters found the gold in the morning, enabling them to afford their dowries and marry. This tale gave rise to the tradition of hanging stockings for Santa Claus to fill with gifts.
Wreaths have multiple origins. In ancient Greece and Rome, winners of athletic contests were crowned with laurel wreaths as symbols of honor. Pagans used circular wreaths during winter solstice celebrations to represent the cycle of life and the hope of spring’s return.
For Christians, wreaths symbolized the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ and became a key element of Advent, representing eternal life.
Experts believe the lights are a natural response to the dark days of December. Ancient pagans lit fires during the winter solstice to ward off darkness, a practice later adapted into Christmas candle traditions. Lighted decorations help stave off winter gloom.
The combination of green and red dates back centuries. Ancient Celts revered the holly tree for staying green in winter, believing it protected homes and brought good luck. This tradition of using holly to decorate during winter solstice festivals was later incorporated into Christmas.
By the 14th century, these colors appeared in church decorations. During the Victorian era, they symbolized the boundary between the past year and the new year.
Additionally, Coca-Cola played a significant role in popularizing red and green as Christmas colors. The company’s advertisements featuring a red-suited Santa Claus solidified this imagery in public consciousness.
In ancient times, winter solstice feasts allowed people to enjoy their stored food before it spoiled in the cold. Alcohol brewed in the spring was ready for consumption by winter.
As Christmas replaced these solstice celebrations, feasting continued. Bakers began experimenting with expensive ingredients like butter and sugar, creating the festive Christmas treats we enjoy today.
