Film studios release many high-budget movies during the holiday season, including Christmas films, fantasy movies or high-tone dramas with high production values to hopes of maximizing the chance of nominations for the Academy Awards. The gospels of Luke and Matthew describe Jesus as being born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. The Scandinavian tomte (also called nisse) is sometimes depicted as a gnome instead of Santa Claus. Read our series of blogs to find out more. 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p 148. [142] Different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependent on local tradition and available resources, and can vary from simple representations of the crib to far more elaborate sets – renowned manger scene traditions include the colourful Kraków szopka in Poland,[143] which imitate Kraków's historical buildings as settings, the elaborate Italian presepi (Neapolitan, Genoese and Bolognese),[144][145][146][147] or the Provençal crèches in southern France, using hand-painted terracotta figurines called santons. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration, making it the most profitable time of year for retailers and businesses throughout the world. Last 50 years [35][37] "Nativity", meaning "birth", is from Latin nātīvitās. In most Western nations, Christmas Day is the least active day of the year for business and commerce; almost all retail, commercial and institutional businesses are closed, and almost all industries cease activity (more than any other day of the year), whether laws require such or not. As such, in Scotland, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland discouraged the observance of Christmas, and though James VI commanded its celebration in 1618, attendance at church was scant. [180][181] Among other saintly attributes, he was noted for the care of children, generosity, and the giving of gifts. [170] In France, Germany, Mexico and Spain, Nativity plays are often reenacted outdoors in the streets.[170]. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance. He, therefore, who bent low and lifted us up chose the shortest day, yet the one whence light begins to increase. As a result, December 25 on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January 7 on the calendar used by most governments and people in everyday life. Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places. As a result, this church celebrates "Christmas" (more properly called Theophany) on the day that is considered January 19 on the Gregorian calendar in use by the majority of the world. In the United Kingdom and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey, goose or other large bird, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, sometimes bread and cider. However, Africanus was not such an influential writer that it is likely he determined the date of Christmas. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. the Herald Angels Sing".[172]. Caroling also became popular, and was originally performed by a group of dancers who sang. Some jurisdictions of the Eastern Orthodox Church, including those of Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Jerusalem, mark feasts using the older Julian calendar. New York had originally been established as the Dutch colonial town of New Amsterdam and the Dutch Sinterklaas tradition was reinvented as Saint Nicholas.[182]. They are among the oldest musical compositions still regularly sung. Around AD 200, Clement of Alexandria wrote: There are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord's birth, but also the day; and they say that it took place in the 28th year of Augustus, and in the 25th day of [the Egyptian month] Pachon [May 20] ... Further, others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi [April 20 or 21].[46]. [207][208] Such groups claim that any specific mention of the term "Christmas" or its religious aspects is being increasingly censored, avoided, or discouraged by a number of advertisers, retailers, government (prominently schools), and other public and private organizations. In the 12th century the Parisian monk Adam of St. Victor began to derive music from popular songs, introducing something closer to the traditional Christmas carol. But the manuscript includes another passage, one that is more likely to be authentic, that gives the passion as March 25. The 18th-century English reformer Charles Wesley understood the importance of music to worship. In the United States, families distribute gifts that Santa Claus left under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. [61] This cult was established by Aurelian in 274. [127] On June 28, 1870, Christmas was formally declared a United States federal holiday. [214] American Muslim scholar Abdul Malik Mujahid has said that Muslims must treat Christmas with respect, even if they disagree with it. This also started the cultural conflict between the holiday's spiritual significance and its associated commercialism that some see as corrupting the holiday. "Corde natus ex Parentis" ("Of the Father's love begotten") by the Spanish poet Prudentius (d. 413) is still sung in some churches today. ", "Why do Amish celebrate "Old" Christmas? Who Cares? [62][63] In modern times, March 25 is celebrated as Annunciation. You probably know that Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Carols largely survived in rural communities until the revival of interest in popular songs in the 19th century. At the same time, Christian residents of Virginia and New York observed the holiday freely. [82] Around the 12th century, these traditions transferred again to the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25 – January 5); a time that appears in the liturgical calendars as Christmastide or Twelve Holy Days.[82]. [66] The date of the passion was moved to Good Friday in 165 when Pope Soter created Easter by reassigning the Resurrection to a Sunday. The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. 25 December? Christmas is a Christian festival when the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. Many attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and later gather for Christmas dinner with extended family. Christmas cards are illustrated messages of greeting exchanged between friends and family members during the weeks preceding Christmas Day. Create an account and sign in to access this FREE content. Since the 16th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas carrying the Christian symbolism of the Star of Bethlehem; in that country it is known in Spanish as the Flower of the Holy Night. As this implies a birth in December, it is sometimes claimed to be the earliest identification of December 25 as the nativity. [200], Christmas has at times been the subject of controversy and attacks from various sources. [112] A prominent phrase from the tale, "Merry Christmas", was popularized following the appearance of the story. In addition, there was a revival of interest in early music, from groups singing folk music, such as The Revels, to performers of early medieval and classical music. [94], The Restoration of King Charles II in 1660 ended the ban, but many Calvinist clergymen still disapproved of Christmas celebration. [47][93], Protests followed as pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities and for weeks Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans. [13] Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations,[14][15][16] is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians,[17] as well as culturally by many non-Christians,[1][18] and forms an integral part of the holiday season centered around it. Many attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and later gather for Christmas dinner with extended family. [153], The Christmas tree was first used by German Lutherans in the 16th century, with records indicating that a Christmas tree was placed in the Cathedral of Strassburg in 1539, under the leadership of the Protestant Reformer, Martin Bucer. But the medieval calendar was dominated by Christmas-related holidays. Accordingly, when the doctors of the Church perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnised on that day. [54], December 25 was the date of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar. An increasing number of seasonal holiday songs were commercially produced in the 20th century, including jazz and blues variations. One controversy is the occurrence of Christmas trees being renamed Holiday trees. Last month, this month and the next two are great for practising Latin numerals, as you do: septem, octo, novem, decem (7, 8, 9, 10). "The Chronography of 354 AD. [204] Christmas celebrations have also been prohibited by atheist states such as the Soviet Union[205] and more recently majority Muslim states such as Somalia, Tajikistan and Brunei. "[110] Superimposing his humanitarian vision of the holiday, in what has been termed "Carol Philosophy",[111] Dickens influenced many aspects of Christmas that are celebrated today in Western culture, such as family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games, and a festive generosity of spirit. "[136], As Christmas celebrations began to be held around the world even outside traditional Christian cultures in the 20th century, some Muslim-majority countries subsequently banned the practice of Christmas, claiming it undermines Islam.[137]. This is a public holiday in Armenia, and it is held on the same day that is internationally considered to be January 6, because the Armenian Church in Armenia uses the Gregorian calendar. A number of figures are associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. [82] The Yule boar was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. 'Hepatomegaly' and 'hydronephrosis' are among the most frequently looked-up words in September. [82], Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival that incorporated ivy, holly, and other evergreens. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels. We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! To many Americans, Santa Claus embodies the spirit of giving. [65] Tertullian (d. 220), who lived in Latin-speaking North Africa, gives the date of passion celebration as March 25. Rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. In 1832, the future Queen Victoria wrote about her delight at having a Christmas tree, hung with lights, ornaments, and presents placed round it. [149][150][151] The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by paper chains made by children. 29 Kiahk? [152] In countries where a representation of the Nativity scene is very popular, people are encouraged to compete and create the most original or realistic ones. After the Coptic insertion of a leap day in what for the Julian calendar is August (September in Gregorian), Christmas is celebrated on Koiak 28 in order to maintain the exact interval of nine 30-day months and 5 days of the child's gestation. It is unrelated to the Quartodecimal, which had been forgotten by this time.[64]. The content of the design might relate directly to the Christmas narrative, with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem, or a white dove, which can represent both the Holy Spirit and Peace on Earth. The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", much like that of the first commercial Christmas card, produced by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. How All the Welkin Rings", later renamed "Hark! Last 300 years. Completely secular Christmas seasonal songs emerged in the late 18th century. The best known of these figures today is red-dressed Santa Claus, of diverse origins.