Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, and it has changed a lot over the past two thousand years. What started as a Christian holiday has become a worldwide celebration that includes both religious and secular traditions. Many of these traditions trace back to earlier pagan customs. Today, Christmas is primarily a time for families and friends to come together and exchange gifts.
According to the Bible, Jesus was born during the reign of Caesar Augustus when a census required people to return to their hometowns to register. Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, where Mary gave birth to Jesus. They couldn't find anywhere to stay and ended up in a stable, where Mary laid Jesus in a manger, which is essentially a feeding trough for animals, wrapped in cloth.
While we celebrate Christmas in December, some experts believe that Jesus was likely born during the autumn Jewish festival of Sukkot, which is a harvest celebration. During that time, the hills around Bethlehem would have been filled with shepherds watching over their sheep, as the story goes. It’s less likely that shepherds would have been outside in the cold winter snow, which adds weight to the theory of an autumn birth. Regardless of when it happened, the story of Jesus' birth is an important and cherished part of Christmas, filled with messages of hope, joy, and new beginnings.
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The term "Christmas" comes from the late Old English word "Cristes Maesse," meaning "the Mass of Christ," which was first used around 1038. In other languages, it has different names: "Kerstmis" in Dutch, "Dies Natalis" in Latin, and "Noël" in French. The German term is "Weihnachtsfest," which relates to a sacred vigil. The term "Yule," which also refers to this holiday, has unclear origins but is linked to the Anglo-Saxon word "geol," meaning "feast," and a month’s name.
Interestingly, Christmas wasn’t one of the earliest holidays celebrated by the Church. Early church leaders like Irenaeus and Tertullian didn’t include it in their lists of important feasts. Origen even pointed out that, according to the Bible, only sinners, not saints, celebrated their birthdays. Arnobius, another early thinker, even mocked the idea of celebrating the birthdays of gods.
Everybody Loves Christmas:
"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." - Calvin Coolidge
"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." - Dale Evans
"The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school." - Alice Cooper
"The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn't matter what mood you're in or what kind of a year you've had - it's a fresh start." - Kelly Clarkson
"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - Charles Dickens
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"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph." - Shirley Temple
"Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that's set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God's gift of the Christ child." - Amy Grant
"I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness." - Carrie Fisher
"At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child." - Queen Elizabeth II
"I remember a great America where we made everything. There was a time when the only thing you got from Japan was a really bad cheap transistor radio that some aunt gave you for Christmas." - Cher
"On Christmas morning, before we could open our Christmas presents, we would go to this stranger's home and bring them presents. I remember helping clean the house up and putting up a tree. My father believed that you have a responsibility to look after everyone else." - George Clooney
"I throw a Christmas party at my house. It's not really a Christmas party, because I don't want to call it a Christmas party. But let's just say I put a lot of Christmas trees around the house, so it smells good." - Bill Murray
The Christmas Truce
On Christmas morning 1914, just after midnight, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I ceased firing their guns and artillery and began to sing Christmas carols. At various points along the eastern and western fronts, soldiers from Russia, France, and Britain even heard German brass bands joining the joyous singing. As dawn broke, many German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines, calling out "Merry Christmas" in their enemies' native languages. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans were unarmed, they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy. The men exchanged gifts of cigarettes and plum puddings, sang carols together, and even played a friendly game of soccer. This remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce of 1914, occurred just five months after the outbreak of World War I and was one of the last examples of chivalry between opposing forces. However, by 1915 the bloody conflict had erupted in full technological fury, and the prospect of another such truce became unthinkable.
1776 - Washington crosses the Delaware
During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crossed the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington's army, which had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.
Around 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington's army began crossing the half-frozen Delaware River at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river, reaching the New Jersey side just before dawn. However, the other two divisions, comprising some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point on time.
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1941 - Bing Crosby introduces “White Christmas” to the world
The iconic song "White Christmas," written by the renowned composer and lyricist Irving Berlin, received its world premiere on this day in 1941 on Bing Crosby's weekly NBC radio program, The Kraft Music Hall. The song went on to become one of the most commercially successful singles of all time, surpassing even Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" as the top-selling single. "White Christmas" took its first steps toward becoming a beloved American standard when Crosby first performed it publicly on Christmas Day, 1941. The song's immense success likely did not surprise Berlin, who had confidently declared it "the best song I ever wrote...the best song anybody ever wrote" when rushing to have his musical secretary transcribe it in January 1940. However, it was nearly two years later that Crosby finally premiered the song on live radio, and another year after that before Crosby's recording of "White Christmas" became a smash pop hit.
The Son Or The Sun?
While most Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the exact day or year of his birth was largely unknown during the first two Christian centuries. The oldest existing record of a Christmas celebration dates back to a 336 AD Roman almanac, which mentions a Christ's Nativity festival led by the church of Rome. The precise reason for choosing December 25 remains unclear, but many researchers believe Christmas originated as a Christian alternative to pagan winter solstice celebrations.
For early Christians, and many today, the most important holiday was Easter, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, as Christianity spread in the Roman world during the early fourth century, church leaders had to contend with the popular pagan holiday celebrating the "birthday of the unconquered sun" (natalis solis invicti) - the Roman term for the winter solstice.
Christmas traditions vary widely across the globe, but they all share a common purpose: to spread joy during the holiday season. While baking cookies and decorating trees are common practices in the U.S., each state has its own unique traditions. Texas is no exception - the Lone Star State boasts a rich array of cherished Christmas customs.
New Mexico's holidays are deeply influenced by its Spanish and Mexican heritage. Early European missionaries introduced the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus, which later inspired the state's traditional novenario celebrations.
1941 - Bing Crosby introduces “White Christmas” to the world
The iconic song "White Christmas," written by the renowned composer and lyricist Irving Berlin, received its world premiere on this day in 1941 on Bing Crosby's weekly NBC radio program, The Kraft Music Hall. The song went on to become one of the most commercially successful singles of all time, surpassing even Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" as the top-selling single. "White Christmas" took its first steps toward becoming a beloved American standard when Crosby first performed it publicly on Christmas Day, 1941. The song's immense success likely did not surprise Berlin, who had confidently declared it "the best song I ever wrote...the best song anybody ever wrote" when rushing to have his musical secretary transcribe it in January 1940. However, it was nearly two years later that Crosby finally premiered the song on live radio, and another year after that before Crosby's recording of "White Christmas" became a smash pop hit.
The Son Or The Sun?
While most Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the exact day or year of his birth was largely unknown during the first two Christian centuries. The oldest existing record of a Christmas celebration dates back to a 336 AD Roman almanac, which mentions a Christ's Nativity festival led by the church of Rome. The precise reason for choosing December 25 remains unclear, but many researchers believe Christmas originated as a Christian alternative to pagan winter solstice celebrations.
For early Christians, and many today, the most important holiday was Easter, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, as Christianity spread in the Roman world during the early fourth century, church leaders had to contend with the popular pagan holiday celebrating the "birthday of the unconquered sun" (natalis solis invicti) - the Roman term for the winter solstice.
Christmas traditions vary widely across the globe, but they all share a common purpose: to spread joy during the holiday season. While baking cookies and decorating trees are common practices in the U.S., each state has its own unique traditions. Texas is no exception - the Lone Star State boasts a rich array of cherished Christmas customs.
New Mexico's holidays are deeply influenced by its Spanish and Mexican heritage. Early European missionaries introduced the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus, which later inspired the state's traditional novenario celebrations.
Check Out: Luminarias or Farolitos - New Mexico Christmas Traditions | New Mexico TRUE
When the holidays arrive, Southern California may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, this sunny region knows how to get into the festive spirit. From the beaches of San Diego to the snowy retreats of Big Bear Lake, SoCal offers an array of charming Christmas towns that are sure to delight and warm your heart. In this guide, I'll introduce you to seven of these magical holiday destinations that are guaranteed to infuse your season with joy and merriment.
When the holidays arrive, Southern California may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, this sunny region knows how to get into the festive spirit. From the beaches of San Diego to the snowy retreats of Big Bear Lake, SoCal offers an array of charming Christmas towns that are sure to delight and warm your heart. In this guide, I'll introduce you to seven of these magical holiday destinations that are guaranteed to infuse your season with joy and merriment.
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