Is Christmas on the 24th or 25th?

Buzz

Content

1. Christmas on the 24th or 25th?

2. Christmas Eve - December 24th

3. Christmas Day - December 25th

1. Christmas on the 24th or 25th?

Christmas, also known as Noel or Christmas, has its origins in the Latin term 'nãtãlis,' meaning birth. The English term Christmas can be split into 'Christ' (referring to the anointed one - the title of Jesus) and 'Mas' (meaning festival).

The Christmas celebration spans from the night of the 24th to the end of the 25th. So, which is the official day of Christmas, the 24th or the 25th of December? Is the 24th Christmas?

The answer is that the 25th of December is the official Christmas day.

This is because, according to the Jewish tradition, the beginning of a day is at sunset, not midnight. Jesus was born on the 25th, so Christmas is celebrated at midnight on this day, following the Jewish calendar that starts from the sunset of the 24th.

Throughout the world, Christmas is celebrated early on the night of the 24th (known as Christmas Eve) and officially on the 25th of December (called Christmas Day). Christmas Eve, attracting more attendees, is a significant part of the celebration.

2. Christmas Eve - December 24th

The night of the 24th is when Christmas Eve is added to draw a larger crowd. On that night, various places such as churches and households decorate grottos with moss, featuring statues of the Holy Family and Virgin Mary. Surrounding them are donkeys, the Three Wise Men, angels, and Saint Joseph.

Christmas Eve on the 24th is also associated with the image of the Christmas tree. Legend has it that around 2,000 to 1,200 BCE, people spoke of the Epicea tree adorned with flowers, fruits, and wheat, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun on the 24th of December.

3. Christmas Day - December 25th

Many believe that December 25th is the actual day of Jesus's birth, making it the true Christmas Day. However, there is no definitive historical evidence confirming Jesus's birth on December 25th.

All the information we have indicates that Jesus was born on a quiet night, in a livestock stable. Some shepherds, informed by angels, came to worship Him.

After this event, due to many prohibitions, Christian believers secretly chose the 25th of December, coinciding with the Roman celebration of the 'Feast of The Sol invictus,' as Christmas day.

Thanks to this, Christians could celebrate the birth of Jesus for a long time without facing significant obstacles.

Around the year 312, Roman Emperor Constantine I decided to abandon polytheism and embrace Christianity. From then on, Christians could openly celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, it wasn't until 354 AD that the 25th of December officially became Christmas Day.

Hopefully, through this article, we've answered your question about whether Christmas is on the 24th or 25th. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and warm Christmas season.

The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.

If you find this article inappropriate or containing errors, please contact us via email at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the origins and meaning of Christmas as a holiday?

Christmas, derived from the Latin term 'nãtãlis' meaning 'birth,' celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The term is a combination of 'Christ,' referring to Jesus, and 'Mas,' meaning festival. This holiday spans from the night of December 24th to the end of December 25th.

Why is December 25th considered the official day of Christmas?

December 25th is officially recognized as Christmas Day because it aligns with the Jewish tradition that a day begins at sunset. Jesus was believed to be born on this date, and celebrations commence at midnight, following the tradition that begins on the evening of the 24th.

What significance does Christmas Eve hold in the Christmas celebration?

Christmas Eve, celebrated on December 24th, is significant as it draws larger crowds and features decorations of the Holy Family in churches and homes. This night symbolizes anticipation for Christmas Day and includes various traditions like tree adornment.

Is there historical evidence of Jesus being born on December 25th?

No, there is no definitive historical evidence confirming that Jesus was born on December 25th. The date was chosen by early Christians to coincide with existing Roman festivals, allowing them to celebrate without facing prohibitions.

How did the celebration of Christmas evolve over the centuries?

The celebration of Christmas evolved significantly, particularly after Emperor Constantine I embraced Christianity in 312 AD. This led to the official recognition of December 25th as Christmas Day in 354 AD, allowing Christians to celebrate Jesus's birth openly.