December marks the arrival of Christmas festivities, with festive songs and lively atmospheres adorning the streets. While the holiday spirit is in full swing, have you ever delved into the origins and meaning of Christmas?
The Origin of Christmas
1. Origins of the Christmas Celebration
Christmas, also known as Noel, Nô-el, Nô-en, Thiên chúa Giáng sinh, X-mas, is the international celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus, believed by Christians to have occurred in Bethlehem, Judea, during the Roman Empire.
The origins of this Christmas celebration trace back to followers of the Christian faith. Over the years, Christmas has evolved into an international holiday celebrated by many countries around the world.
According to the Jewish calendar, the new day begins at sunset instead of midnight, making Christmas festivities officially start on December 25th. However, people start celebrating from the evening and night of December 24th. Hence, the night of December 24th attracts more participants and is more captivating than the day of December 25th. On the other hand, followers of Eastern Orthodox Christianity use the Julian calendar, celebrating Christmas starting on January 7th each year according to the Gregorian calendar.
2. Significance of the Christmas Celebration
The meaning of Christmas, Noel
For those following the Christian faith, Christmas is highly significant. For families, Christmas is a day of togetherness, an occasion for family members to gather, express their feelings, and create lasting memories, strengthening family bonds. Each person finds unique ways to build relationships, sharing through communal meals and coming together to narrate stories.
Additionally, Noel is also a children's day. Christmas Eve is a night filled with wonder and excitement, where children's wishes come true, and unexpected gifts from loved ones arrive for the little ones.
Moreover, this festive day brings a meaning and a message of unity, solidarity, and sharing, comforting and reaching out to those abandoned, sick, or lonely.
Every celebration has its origins and unique significance, and Christmas is no exception. With the hope that this article has enlightened you about the origins and meaning of Christmas, as the day approaches, people of all ages eagerly come together to celebrate, attend festive gatherings with the melodic tunes of Christmas songs. Christmas is the moment of gathering, coming together around the dinner table, amidst the glow of lights, listening to Christmas carols, anticipating the arrival of the new year. Therefore, it is an opportunity to express your genuine feelings by exchanging meaningful Christmas gifts and warm wishes, creating a more meaningful and complete Christmas celebration for everyone.