Christmas is not held by the clutches of the religion, but there are many different ways in which the Christians celebrate Christmas. These religious customs have their origin from older times and from older communities.
But, even in such different ways of celebrations, there exists a basic skeleton of the celebration of this sacred season which starts from the fourth Sunday before Christmas day which is December 25 till the Epiphany on January 6.
The Advent
As the name indicates ( meaning “Coming” in Latin) , it is the day that makes the people prepare for the advent of the great son of God. People used to clean their homes and place wreaths on the corners of their homes, mostly without decorating it.
They will light candles, in their own ways each Sunday starting from the fourth Sunday that comes before the Christmas day. This tradition is said to be adopted by us from German Lutherans.
The tradition of celebrating advent is to meditate about the coming of the Jesus in three times of our life, which are, first is when he came to the world about 2000 years ago, second is at present where Jesus wants to come into our life, Third is when he comes again as the King.
The origin of the advent dates back at least before 550 years where monks used to fast as a preparation of them to receive Jesus in all the three aforesaid ways.
The two main ways of counting the advent days are Advent calendars which have around 24 openings and Advent candles which are lit every Sundays preceding Christmas day from the start of advent.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the evening or the entire day that precedes the Christmas day
Christmas Eve is being celebrated in a variety of ways by various communities inside Christianity, but the most common way practiced by the Roman Catholics is by Midnight mass which is the only celebration which is allowed to start after sunset in the religion.
Protestant Christians celebrate Christmas Eve with candlelight services on the evening of December 24th.
It is the day when the Christmas tree is brought to the home and been decorated.
Apart from this when we hear the word Christmas Eve what comes to our thought is Santa. Santa is a Nobel character which comes from Saint Nicholas from Washington.
The things everyone should do without fail in the eve are, to watch Christmas movies with loved ones, leave food for Santa, open gifts, singing Christmas carols, listen to Christmas music.
Christmas Day
The Christmas day is celebrated on December 25th of every year, ever since the Roman emperor, Constantine celebrated it on 336AD.
The people celebrates the Christmas day by visiting relatives and friends houses, exchanging gifts and sweets, Praying and singing in their home with family members, having dinner with the loved ones.
It is notable that some people offer shelter and food for the people who have no family or money to be happy on the auspicious day of the year.
Exchange of Gifts
The tradition of exchanging gifts among the men is said to be derived from ancient Roman customs of exchanging gifts to bring good fortune and happiness in the life of others.
There is also a view that the gifts exchange has its roots from the biblical point of view that the great men gave gifts to the baby Jesus when they visited the baby.
When we think of gifts on Christmas, the very first thing that strikes our mind is the Santa Claus. The children will be surprised by the gifts the Santa character gives them, which is but originally given by their parents.
Conclusion
There are a variety of religious traditions and practices for celebrating the Glorious advent of the Son of God to this world. But, the only thing that everyone should understand is that God sent his Son to have all his Children saved from not only from evils but also from seclusion among themselves by uniting them on this auspicious day.
Last Updated : 14 October, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
This article provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the religious significance and customs associated with Christmas. It’s a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about this major Christian celebration.
Agreed. It’s refreshing to have a deeper understanding of the spiritual and cultural aspects of Christmas.
Definitely. The article offers valuable insights into the various ways Christmas is celebrated within Christian communities.
This article provides a thorough and enlightening examination of the profound historical and religious heritage of Christmas celebrations. It’s a refreshing departure from the superficial portrayal of the holiday in popular culture.
I appreciate the historical context and religious significance explored in this article. It serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas beyond the commercial aspects.
Indeed. It’s a great read for those seeking to deepen their knowledge of Christmas traditions.
The insight provided into the origins and symbolism of Christmas traditions is commendable. It offers a perspective that goes beyond the surface-level aspects of the holiday.
The historical and spiritual depth of Christmas celebrations is wonderfully elucidated in this article.
The article offers a comprehensive and illuminating examination of the diverse religious customs and traditions associated with Christmas. It enriches our understanding of the deep-rooted symbolism of the holiday.
Definitely. It’s an insightful read that highlights the spiritual depth and historical significance of Christmas traditions.
Absolutely. A captivating exploration of the religious and historical aspects of Christmas.
It’s fascinating to see how traditions have evolved over time and across different cultures. The explanation of the origins of Christmas Eve and Day is particularly enlightening.
Absolutely. Understanding the history behind these traditions helps to appreciate their significance in modern celebrations.
This article offers a profound exploration of the religious and cultural aspects of Christmas, shedding light on the symbolism and historical roots of festive traditions.
Indeed. It’s a captivating piece that delves into the deeper significance of Christmas customs.
The comprehensive and insightful explanations of the religious customs associated with Christmas resonate deeply. This article is a testament to the rich and diverse traditions celebrated during the festive season.
Absolutely. It’s a compelling exploration of the cultural and spiritual significance of Christmas traditions.
The detailed explanation of the Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, along with the significance behind traditions, is both educational and thought-provoking.
It gives a profound understanding of the spiritual significance underlying Christmas customs.
Absolutely, this article offers a wealth of information on the historical and spiritual aspects of Christmas celebrations.
This article is an informative and beautiful explanation of the origins and traditions of Christmas celebrations among Christians. It gives a deep insight into the meaning behind various customs and why they are still practiced today.
This article is a great reminder that there is so much more to Christmas than just commercialism and consumerism.
So true! It shows that Christmas is not just about gifts but has deep and historical significance.