Christmas, annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Most members of the Roman Catholic Church and followers of Protestantism celebrate Christmas on December 25, and many celebrate on the evening of December 24 as well. Members of the Eastern Orthodox Church usually delay their most important seasonal ceremonies until January 6, when they celebrate Epiphany, a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. Epiphany also traditionally commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men of the East in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem, Israel), where they adored the infant Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The official Christmas season, popularly known as either Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas, extends from the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25 to the feast of Epiphany on January
6. Christmas is based on the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the Gospel according to Matthew (see Matthew 1:18-2:12) and the Gospel according to Luke (see Luke 1:26-56). Roman Catholics first celebrated Christmas, then known as the Feast of the Nativity, as early as 336 ad. The word Christmas entered the English language sometime around 1050 as the Old English phrase Christes maesse, meaning “festival of Christ.” Scholars believe the frequently used shortened form of Christmas—Xmas—may have come into use in the 13th century. The X stands for the Greek letter chi, an abbreviation of Khristos (Christ), and also represents the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
An Ancient Holiday The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world.
Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosperor perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
It is said that there was a farmer served a poor boy on a cold windy Chrismas Eve and gave him a big chrisemas meal. The boy cut a Fir tree's branch and inserted it into the earth.He said, "every year this time. there will be many presents in this branch. I wish I can pay back to your favor by this beautiful Fir tree. " After the boy left, the farmer discovered that the branch had grow up as a big tree. Then he realized that the boy was an envoy of the god. This is the origin of the chrismas day. In western countries, Whatever you are, everyone will prepare a chrismas tree to increase the happiness of the chrismas day. Chrismas trees are made of evergreen tree like Fir trees and they represent the long lives.People put candles,flowers,toys,stars on the tree and they put chrismas present on the tree. On Chrismas Eve,people sing and dance happily and they enjoy themselves around the tree.
Christmas is the biggest festival in the western world, which people all over the Christian countries celebrate. It is on the 25th day of each December.
Christians consider it as the birthday of Jesus Christ. But now many customs and habits are beyond religious meaning, The Christmas season begins five or six weeks before the exact holiday. There is always a shopping boom during this period. So it's really a happy season for shop owners.
关于圣诞节的资料：
基督教的节日,每年圣诞节纪念耶稣基督的诞生。我们的大部分员工的追随者罗马天主教会和基督教在12月25日庆祝圣诞节,许多庆祝12月24日晚。东正教的成员通常延迟其最重要的季节仪式到1月6号,当他们庆祝主显节,纪念的洗礼的耶稣。主显节的到来也传统上是三个智者东在伯利恒(近耶路撒冷,以色列),在那里他们喜欢这里的圣婴耶稣和送给他作为礼物的黄金、乳香和没药。官方的圣诞节期间,一般地被认为是要么Christmastide或圣诞节的十二天周年纪念日,延伸到基督的诞生,在12月25日主显节上节1月6日。
圣诞节是基于耶稣诞生的故事中所述,根据马太福音(见马太福音1:18-2:12)和福音根据《路加福音》(见《路加福音》1:26-56)。罗马天主教徒,当时所知的第一次庆祝圣诞节的诞生宴会,早336个广告。“圣诞节”这个词的某个时候进入英文的1050周围Christes古老的英语词组的节日,意思是“maesse基督。”学者认为常用缩短形式的Christmas-Xmas-may已投入使用在13世纪。X代表希腊字母气,的缩写Khristos(基督),也代表了耶稣十字架上钉十字架的地方。
一个古老的节日
中冬季节自古以来都庆祝的时刻在世界各地。出现的几个世纪以前,有一个人,名叫耶稣,庆祝光明和新生早期的欧洲人在冬天最漆黑的日子里。许多人在冬至日欢欣鼓舞,因为冬天最糟糕的时间已经过去,人们可以期待白天变长,延长几个小时的阳光。
斯堪的那维亚,挪威人从12月21日庆祝耶稣圣诞节冬至时,在1月。意识到太阳回归,就是父与子将带回家,这也让他们可能大木头都放火烧了。人们盛宴庆祝,直至木头烧完,可能需要多达12天。挪威人相信火中的每一颗火星象征一个新出生的一头猪或一只在即将到来的一年。
12月底是庆祝的最佳时间。欧洲大部分地区,在每年的那段时间里,许多牲畜都被宰杀,所以他们将不会了很多喂养冬季时。对许多人来说,这是只有每年的这个时候他们有充足鲜肉供给的。另外,大多数的葡萄酒和啤酒,在一年最后发酵可以喝了。
在德国,人们被基督教神奥登。德国人惧怕奥登,他们相信他划过天空俯视众生,判定谁兴谁亡。因为他的存在,许多人选择呆在家里。
据说是一个农民服务可怜的孩子在一个寒冷的风的圣诞前夜,给了他一个大大的chrisemas顿饭。男孩砍一棵枞树的分支和插入在地上他说:“每年这送来的将会有很多礼物这个领域。我希望我能回报你的忙,这美丽的冷杉树。男孩走了后,农夫发现分公司已长大有一棵大树。然后他发现那男孩的神的使者。这是圣诞节的起源。在西方国家,无论你是每个人都将准备一份树增加幸福的圣诞节。圣诞节树木原来都是常绿乔木像松树长生活并代表人们把蜡烛、花卉、玩具、明星的树,他们把圣诞礼物在树上。圣诞前夜,人们唱歌和跳舞,愉快地他们很愉快圈住这颗树。
每年的12月25日，所有基督教国家的人们都欢庆圣诞节。一般认为圣诞节是耶稣诞生的日子。但是现在许多风俗和习惯都已超出了宗教意义。圣诞节季节在12月25日之前的5、6个星期就已经开始了。在这一时期总会出现一个购物潮。所以圣诞节确实是店主的快乐节日。