Christmas Day in 2023 falls on December 25th
Preparations for the New Year are at their peak worldwide. From markets to homes, there’s a buzz of Christmas everywhere. Just like every year, this year, too, 2023 will be celebrated with great fervor on December 25th as Merry Christmas. This year again, amidst the celebration of Lord Jesus’s birthday, Santa Claus will share joy among people and give gifts to children. Every year, children eagerly await Santa Claus and gifts. Christmas feels incomplete without Santa Claus. You might wonder why Christmas is celebrated specifically on December 25th?
Christmas is celebrated in the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Son of God. The name ‘Christmas’ is derived from ‘Christ’. This festival is celebrated on December 25th and is a holiday observed in almost the entire world. It’s not just a one-day celebration but a festival that spans 12 days.
Where and when did the beginning of Christmas take place?
The festival that eventually became Christmas was initially marked by the Romans as a celebration of the winter solstice on December 25th. Historically, the first recorded Christmas festival was celebrated in Rome on December 25th, 336 AD. By 330 AD, the influence of Christianity was rapidly growing in Rome, and the number of followers of this religion was increasing. After a few years, followers of the Christian faith in Rome started associating Jesus Christ as the Sun deity, and since then, December 25th began to be celebrated as Christmas.
The Story Associated with Christmas
It is believed that there is an old story behind Christmas. According to this story, once God sent his messenger, Gabriel, to a young woman named Mary. Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. Mary was surprised as she was unmarried at that time, so she asked Gabriel how this could be possible. Gabriel assured her that God would take care of everything. Time passed, and Mary got married to Joseph.
The angel of the Lord appeared in Joseph’s dream and told him that Mary would soon become pregnant, and he needed to take special care of her because the child she would bear would be none other than the Lord Jesus himself. At that time, Joseph and Mary were residing in Nazareth, which is now part of Israel. Nazareth was part of the Roman Empire at that time. For some reason, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, which is now in Palestine. Many people were there, and all the shelters were full, so Joseph and Mary couldn’t find any place to stay. After being very tired, they found a space in a stable, and it was there that, after midnight, the birth of Lord Jesus took place.
Near the stable, some shepherds were tending their flock, and that’s where the angels of the Lord appeared, giving them the news of the birth of Jesus. The shepherds went to the newborn baby and worshipped him. When Jesus grew up, he traveled throughout Galilee, teaching people and trying to heal diseases and weaknesses. Slowly, his fame spread. Some opposed Jesus’s simple deeds, and in the end, they tortured him and crucified him. But throughout his life, Jesus worked for the welfare of humanity, and even when he was crucified, he said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
The Significance of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is considered a symbol of continuity in life. It symbolizes the blessings of a long life bestowed by the divine. It was believed that decorating it brings an increase in the lifespan of children in the household. People of the Christian faith put up Christmas trees at their doors. This tree remains there until the beginning of the New Year. Hence, every year on Christmas Day, the Christmas tree is decorated.
Who is Santa Claus?
It is believed that Santa Claus is referred to as Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was born nearly 280 years after the death of Jesus Christ in the third century. His birth took place in Myra, Turkey.
Santa Claus is also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas (the originator of Christmas), Kris Kringle, or simply “Santa.” Although there isn’t a direct link between Saint Nicholas and the birth of Jesus, Santa Claus is an integral part of Christmas today. Christmas seems incomplete without him. He lost his parents at a young age and had a deep faith in Lord Jesus since childhood. Upon growing up, he became a priest in the Christian faith and later became a bishop. He had a penchant for giving gifts to the needy and children.
The great and wise Saint Nicholas used to give his gifts during the night as he preferred not to be seen while giving presents. He always wanted to remain anonymous. Because of this, children are put to bed quickly, and those who don’t fall asleep early miss Santa’s gifts.
There is a famous story illustrating Saint Nicholas’s kindness when he helped a poor man. The poor man had no money for his three daughters’ weddings and was contemplating sending them into labor or the flesh trade. Saint Nicholas quietly placed bags of gold coins, which were drying in socks, and provided them with a better life. Since that day, children hang their stockings outside with hopes of receiving gifts in the morning on Christmas.
