What is the true meaning behind Christmas?
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the traditional birthdate of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas combines Christian celebrations of the birth of Jesus with various secular traditions and customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia. Over time, many popular Christmas traditions have developed, including the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time. Christmas is traditionally on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. These dates are merely traditional and neither is thought to be the actual birthdate of Jesus.[2] Christmas is celebrated in most countrie
There is, of course, the religious signifigance for many, but I think beyond that is the coming together with those you care for and expressing that feeling. Beyond the gifts, beyond the extravagant food, beyond killing yourself trying to outdo the Griswolds with the house lights, is being with people you love after another year of trying to get through life. My first year in the Navy, I was unable to go home to visit family until December 26. I was in Orlando in training and feeling really sorry for myself that I wans’t going to be with my family on Christmas. I wandered around on Christmas evening, and couldn’t even go to Denny’s because that was the first year they closed on Christmas day to allow their employees to be home with their families. I ended up at a Dunkin’ Donughts, where a few other folks had gathered, and ended up having some chicken soup and a donught for Christmas dinner. I noticed the other folks there were giving each other gifts, and they were very simple things l
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the traditional birthdate of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas combines Christian celebrations of the birth of Jesus with various secular traditions and customs, many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia. Over time, many popular Christmas traditions have developed, including the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill, giving, compassion, and quality family time. Christmas is traditionally on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. These dates are merely traditional and neither is thought to be the actual birthdate of Jesus.[2] Christmas is celebrated in most countrie
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'”. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. Even as people push to have it called the “holiday season”, Christmas is still about one thing: the birth of Jesus.
