¿What is Christmas, what is its origin, what traditions are there, and why is it celebrated?

On December 25th, Christmas is celebrated in various parts of the world, a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, its meaning has become more focused on gathering with loved ones, exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, participating in festivals, singing carols, and enjoying special meals. However, Christmas remains one of the oldest and most traditional celebrations. If you want to better understand what Christmas is, why it is celebrated, and what traditions surround this holiday, Depor brings you all the details in the following article.

¿What is Christmas?

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It takes place on December 25th, except in the Russian Orthodox Church and other Eastern churches that follow the Julian calendar, where it is celebrated on January 7th (equivalent to December 25th on the Gregorian calendar).

The word “Christmas” comes from the Latin nativitas, meaning “birth.” It has the same origin as the French “Noel,” the Italian “Natale,” and the Portuguese “Natal.” In English, the holiday is called Christmas (Mass of Christ’s Day). In German, it is called Weihnachten, meaning “holy night.”

Although its origins are Christian, Christmas is now celebrated in many parts of the world, even by non-Christians, who experience it without its religious significance, transforming it into an occasion for reunion and reconciliation among family and close friends.

The origin of Christmas

According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus, who is recognized as the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Herod the Great, who was a king under Roman authority (Mt 2:1; Lk 1:5 and 2:6-7).

Luke recounts that Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register, in compliance with a decree from Emperor Augustus (Lk 2:1-6). He also mentions that Jesus was born in a manger “because there was no room at the inn” (Lk 2:7) and that an angel proclaimed His birth to some shepherds, who were the first to visit the manger and worship Him (Lk 2:8-20).

The Gospels do not specify the exact date of Jesus’ birth nor provide clues about it. The first mention of December 25th as the day of His birth appears in a writing by the Hellenist and apologist Sextus Julius Africanus, dated in the year 221.

One reason suggested for establishing this date is that the Church sought to replace the pagan celebration of dies solis invicti nati (“the day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), which marked the winter solstice as the day of the Sun’s birth, with the aim of easing the adoption of Christianity.

Liturgical celebration of Christmas

The celebration of Christmas was established by the 4th century, although it was not until the 9th century that the Catholic Church adopted a specific liturgy for this holiday. This liturgy traditionally includes four Masses: the Vigil Mass (Midnight Mass), the Midnight Mass, the Dawn Mass, and the Day Mass.

In the liturgical calendar, Christmas is preceded by the four weeks of Advent, a period of penitence and preparation for the holiday. The celebration of Christmas marks the beginning of the corresponding liturgical season, which lasts from December 25th until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (occurring between January 9th and 13th, depending on the year). Outside of the Catholic Church, the Christmas season is celebrated for 12 days, from December 25th to January 5th.

Christmas traditions

Christmas is associated with various traditions, some of which have a nearly global reach today.

• The Christmas tree has its origins in the ancient Scandinavian and Germanic peoples, who, as part of the celebration of the birth of the god Frey, decorated an evergreen tree. It is attributed to St. Boniface (672-754), the missionary to Germany, for adapting this tradition to Christianity. Thus, the tree, usually a pine or fir, became a symbol of the birth of Jesus. This custom, originating in northern Europe, eventually spread to other parts of the world. In Catholic homes, the tree is placed on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
• The nativity scene, also known as a manger or crib, was popularized by St. Francis of Assisi. On Christmas night in 1223, this saint created a nativity scene with real people and animals in a cave on the outskirts of the village of Greccio, Italy. In Catholic homes, the nativity scene is set up on December 8th, along with the Christmas tree.
• Santa Claus, also known as St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, or in Chile, Viejito Pascuero, has its origins in the legend of St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop who lived in Turkey. It is said that this saint threw money down a chimney to help a father who couldn’t afford to provide dowries for his three unmarried daughters. It is the Dutch, who founded New Amsterdam (now New York), who are credited with spreading the figure of Santa Claus in America, along with the tradition of gift-giving.
• Advent wreath. The Advent wreath, made of pine or fir branches and four candles, symbolizes the waiting and preparation for Christmas during the four weeks leading up to it. Each candle represents one of the Sundays of Advent. Like other Christian traditions, this custom has roots in pagan practices, specifically from the Germanic peoples, who made wreaths from green branches and lit candles to symbolize the fire of the Sun god and the hope for the arrival of spring.
• Christmas carols. These popular Christmas songs, which originated in the 13th century, initially had secular themes. From the 16th century onward, the Church began to promote carols with religious themes, to be sung during processions and other liturgical celebrations. Among all the festivities, Christmas, associated with joy, saw the greatest spread of this tradition. In England, the equivalent of a Christmas carol is a “carol.”
• Christmas Eve dinner. On Christmas Eve, it is common for families to gather for a lavish dinner. The dishes vary by region, adapting to the local cuisine of each country. At midnight, a toast is often made. In many places, the exchange of gifts also takes place, with the gifts placed next to the tree. In other countries, the gifts are opened on the morning of December 25th.

Christmas in some countries

In addition to the traditions celebrated worldwide, each country has its own unique Christmas customs.

• In Mexico, between December 16 and 24, the Posadas are celebrated, a tradition that lasts for nine days. During this time, both children and adults, remembering the search of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, walk through the streets and visit nine houses until they find a place where they are given shelter. This event is accompanied by songs and prayers. The host greets the pilgrims with punch, fruits, and aguinaldo (a small bag with candies and peanuts). At the end, a seven-pointed piñata is broken, symbolizing the seven deadly sins.
• In Poland, the Christmas festivities begin on Christmas Eve with the appearance of the first star in the sky. Under the Christmas tablecloth, a little straw is placed to remind people of the manger where Jesus was born. In many homes, twelve dishes are served, one for each apostle, and an additional place is left at the table for the baby Jesus or an unexpected guest. Before starting the meal, the guests share the oplatek, an unconsecrated host, as a symbol of reconciliation.
• In Finland, Christmas Eve is celebrated with the Ceremony of the Declaration of Christmas Peace. In the city of Turku, a text is read declaring the “general Christmas peace,” wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas. As part of the preparations, a deep cleaning of the house is done, followed by a sauna session. Afterward, the Finns dress in clean clothes for the dinner. After dinner, Santa Claus, known as Joulupukki, visits the homes, sometimes accompanied by an elf.
• In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on two dates: December 25 for Catholics and Protestants, and January 7 for Orthodox Christians. Among the decorations on the Christmas trees, there are some in the shape of a spiderweb, with an artificial spider placed inside, following a legend about a poor woman who decorated her tree in this way and later saw how the webs turned into silver threads. The Christmas Eve dinner, known as the Holy Supper, consists of twelve dishes, one for each apostle. During the meal, people speak in a low voice. Additionally, as in other special occasions, photos of deceased relatives are placed next to the table, accompanied by bread and salt, a glass of liquor, and a lit candle.