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Origin and development

Contemporary customs in the west, contemporary customs in eastern and oriental orthodoxy, contemporary customs in other areas.

When is Christmas celebrated?

How is christmas celebrated, does christmas have pagan roots.

• Who is Saint Nicholas?
• What was Saint Nicholas known for?

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• Prehistoric Wildlife - Ankylosaurus
• English Heritage - History of Christmas
• Rutgers Today - The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions
• Learn Religion - Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25?
• Christmas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Christmas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

What is Christmas?

Christmas was traditionally a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus , but in the early 20th century, it also became a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike. The secular holiday is often devoid of Christian elements, with the mythical figure Santa Claus playing the pivotal role.

Christmas is celebrated by many Christians on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar . For Eastern Orthodox churches that continue to use the Julian calendar for liturgical observances, this date corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve in most European countries and on Christmas morning in North America.

Christians and non-Christians participate in some of the most popular Christmas traditions, many of which have no origins in Christianity. These customs include decorating evergreen trees —or, in India, mango or bamboo trees; feasting (picnics and fireworks are popular in warm climates); and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

In ancient Rome, December 25 was a celebration of the Unconquered Sun, marking the return of longer days. It followed Saturnalia , a festival where people feasted and exchanged gifts. The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine , the first Christian emperor, possibly to weaken pagan traditions.

Did Christmas start in Germany?

Christmas did not start in Germany, but many of the holiday’s traditions began there, including decorating trees . The celebration of Christmas started in Rome about 336, but it did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.

Recent News

Christmas , Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus . The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl , which referred to the feast of the winter solstice . The corresponding terms in other languages — Navidad in Spanish , Natale in Italian , Noël in French —all probably denote nativity . The German word Weihnachten denotes “hallowed night.” Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday , observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role.

The early Christian community distinguished between the identification of the date of Jesus’ birth and the liturgical celebration of that event. The actual observance of the day of Jesus’ birth was long in coming. In particular, during the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or, for that matter, of Jesus. Numerous Church Fathers offered sarcastic comments about the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays when, in fact, saints and martyrs should be honoured on the days of their martyrdom—their true “birthdays,” from the church’s perspective.

The precise origin of assigning December 25 as the birth date of Jesus is unclear. The New Testament provides no clues in this regard. December 25 was first identified as the date of Jesus’ birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 and later became the universally accepted date. One widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer. Indeed, after December 25 had become widely accepted as the date of Jesus’ birth, Christian writers frequently made the connection between the rebirth of the sun and the birth of the Son. One of the difficulties with this view is that it suggests a nonchalant willingness on the part of the Christian church to appropriate a pagan festival when the early church was so intent on distinguishing itself categorically from pagan beliefs and practices.

A second view suggests that December 25 became the date of Jesus’ birth by a priori reasoning that identified the spring equinox as the date of the creation of the world and the fourth day of creation, when the light was created, as the day of Jesus’ conception (i.e., March 25). December 25, nine months later, then became the date of Jesus’ birth. For a long time the celebration of Jesus’ birth was observed in conjunction with his baptism , celebrated January 6.

Christmas began to be widely celebrated with a specific liturgy in the 9th century but did not attain the liturgical importance of either Good Friday or Easter , the other two major Christian holidays. Roman Catholic churches celebrate the first Christmas mass at midnight, and Protestant churches have increasingly held Christmas candlelight services late on the evening of December 24. A special service of “lessons and carols” intertwines Christmas carols with Scripture readings narrating salvation history from the Fall in the Garden of Eden to the coming of Christ. The service, inaugurated by E.W. Benson and adopted at the University of Cambridge , has become widely popular.

None of the contemporary Christmas customs have their origin in theological or liturgical affirmations, and most are of fairly recent date. The Renaissance humanist Sebastian Brant recorded, in Das Narrenschiff (1494; The Ship of Fools ), the custom of placing branches of fir trees in houses. Even though there is some uncertainty about the precise date and origin of the tradition of the Christmas tree , it appears that fir trees decorated with apples were first known in Strasbourg in 1605. The first use of candles on such trees is recorded by a Silesian duchess in 1611. The Advent wreath—made of fir branches, with four candles denoting the four Sundays of the Advent season—is of even more recent origin, especially in North America . The custom, which began in the 19th century but had roots in the 16th, originally involved a fir wreath with 24 candles (the 24 days before Christmas, starting December 1), but the awkwardness of having so many candles on the wreath reduced the number to four. An analogous custom is the Advent calendar , which provides 24 openings, one to be opened each day beginning December 1. According to tradition, the calendar was created in the 19th century by a Munich housewife who tired of having to answer endlessly when Christmas would come. The first commercial calendars were printed in Germany in 1851. The intense preparation for Christmas that is part of the commercialization of the holiday has blurred the traditional liturgical distinction between Advent and the Christmas season, as can be seen by the placement of Christmas trees in sanctuaries well before December 25.

Toward the end of the 18th century the practice of giving gifts to family members became well established. Theologically, the feast day reminded Christians of God’s gift of Jesus to humankind even as the coming of the Wise Men, or Magi , to Bethlehem suggested that Christmas was somehow related to giving gifts. The practice of giving gifts, which goes back to the 15th century, contributed to the view that Christmas was a secular holiday focused on family and friends. This was one reason why Puritans in Old and New England opposed the celebration of Christmas and in both England and America succeeded in banning its observance.

The tradition of celebrating Christmas as a secular family holiday is splendidly illustrated by a number of English “Christmas” carols such as “Here We Come A-Wassailing” or “Deck the Halls.” It can also be seen in the practice of sending Christmas cards , which began in England in the 19th century. Moreover, in countries such as Austria and Germany , the connection between the Christian festival and the family holiday is made by identifying the Christ Child as the giver of gifts to the family. In some European countries, St. Nicholas appears on his feast day (December 6) bringing modest gifts of candy and other gifts to children. In North America the pre-Christmas role of the Christian saint Nicholas was transformed, under the influence of the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (or “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas”) , into the increasingly central role of Santa Claus as the source of Christmas gifts for the family. While both name and attire—a version of the traditional dress of bishop—of Santa Claus reveal his Christian roots, and his role of querying children about their past behaviour replicates that of St. Nicholas, he is seen as a secular figure. In Australia , where people attend open-air concerts of Christmas carols and have their Christmas dinner on the beach, Santa Claus wears red swimming trunks as well as a white beard.

In most European countries, gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve, December 24, in keeping with the notion that the baby Jesus was born on the night of the 24th. The morning of December 25, however, has become the time for the exchange of gifts in North America. In 17th- and 18th-century Europe the modest exchange of gifts took place in the early hours of the 25th when the family returned home from the Christmas mass. When the evening of the 24th became the time for the exchange of gifts, the Christmas mass was set into the late afternoon of that day. In North America the centrality of the morning of the 25th of December as the time for the family to open presents has led, with the exception of Catholic and some Lutheran and Episcopal churches, to the virtual end of holding church services on that day, a striking illustration of the way societal customs influence liturgical practices.

Given the importance of Christmas as one of the major Christian feast days, most European countries observe, under Christian influence, December 26 as a second Christmas holiday. This practice recalls the ancient Christian liturgical notion that the celebration of Christmas, as well as that of Easter and of Pentecost , should last the entire week. The weeklong observance, however, was successively reduced to Christmas day and a single additional holiday on December 26.

Eastern Orthodox churches honour Christmas on December 25. However, for those that continue to use the Julian calendar for their liturgical observances, this date corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar . The churches of the Oriental Orthodox communion celebrate Christmas variously. For example, in Armenia , the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion , the church uses its own calendar; the Armenian Apostolic Church honours January 6 as Christmas. In Ethiopia, where Christianity has had a home ever since the 4th century, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church celebrates Christmas on January 7. Most of the churches of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East celebrate Christmas on December 25; at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, however, the Syriac Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 6 with the Armenian Apostolic Church. Congregations of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria follow the date of December 25 on the Julian calendar, which corresponds to Khiak 29 on the ancient Coptic calendar.

With the spread of Christianity beyond Europe and North America, the celebration of Christmas was transferred to societies throughout the non-Western world. In many of these countries, Christians are not the majority population, and, therefore, the religious holiday has not become a cultural holiday. Christmas customs in these societies thus often echo Western traditions because the people were exposed to Christianity as a religion and cultural artifact of the West.

In South and Central America , unique religious and secular traditions mark the Christmas celebration. In Mexico , on days leading up to Christmas, the search of Mary and Joseph for a place to stay is reenacted, and children try to break a piñata filled with toys and candy. Christmas is a great summer festival in Brazil , including picnics, fireworks, and other festivities as well as a solemn procession of priests to the church to celebrate midnight mass.

In some parts of India the evergreen Christmas tree is replaced by the mango tree or the bamboo tree, and houses are decorated with mango leaves and paper stars. Christmas largely remains a Christian holiday and is otherwise not widely observed.

Japan serves as illustration of a different sort. In that predominantly Shintō and Buddhist country, the secular aspects of the holiday—Christmas trees and decorations, even the singing of Christmas songs such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “White Christmas”—are widely observed instead of the religious aspects.

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History of Christmas

By: History.com Editors

Updated: December 21, 2022 | Original: October 27, 2009

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

How Did Christmas Start?

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus , early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.

Christmas in Photos

Saturnalia and Christmas 

In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, enslaved people were given temporary freedom and treated as equals. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could participate in the holiday's festivities.

Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra’s birthday was the most sacred day of the year.

Is Christmas Really the Day Jesus Was Born?

In the early years of Christianity , Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. 

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages , Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion.

On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today’s Mardi Gras . Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the “lord of misrule” and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined “debt” to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.

When Christmas Was Cancelled

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims , English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston . Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution , English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Washington Irving Reinvents Christmas in America

It wasn’t until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s piqued American interest in the holiday?

The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city’s first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.

In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent. , a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving’s fictitious celebrants enjoyed “ancient customs,” including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving’s book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended—in fact, many historians say that Irving’s account actually “invented” tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.

'A Christmas Carol'

Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol . The story’s message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.

The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to “spoil” them.

As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards and gift-giving.

Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.

Who Invented Santa Claus?

The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas who was born in Turkey around A. D. 280. St. Nicholas gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick, becoming known as the protector of children and sailors.

St. Nicholas first entered American popular culture in the late 18th century in New York, when Dutch families gathered to honor the anniversary of the death of “Sint Nikolaas” (Dutch for Saint Nicholas), or “Sinter Klaas” for short. “Santa Claus” draws his name from this abbreviation.

In 1822, Episcopal minister Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known today by it’s first line: “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” The poem depicted Santa Claus as a jolly man who flies from home to home on a sled driven by reindeer to deliver toys.

The iconic version of Santa Claus as a jolly man in red with a white beard and a sack of toys was immortalized in 1881, when political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Moore's poem to create the image of Old Saint Nick we know today.

Christmas Facts

• Each year, 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States, and trees usually grow for between four and 15 years before they are sold.
• In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties.
• When Christmas was cancelled: From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston , and law-breakers were fined five shillings.
• Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.
• The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith’s 1607 Jamestown settlement .
• Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.
• The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.
• Rudolph , “the most famous reindeer of all,” was the product of Robert L. May’s imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.
• Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.

HISTORY Vault: the Christmas Truce

World War I was a brutal slog. But on Christmas Eve 1914, something remarkable happened: British and German troops stopped fighting, and came together to share holiday cheer.

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The history of Christmas, plus 10 festive facts you might not know

For many, Christmas is a time to uphold traditions. But where did they come from? Discover the history behind ‘the most wonderful time of the year’…

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Ever wondered about the origins of the cherished traditions that make Christmas so special? Explore the stories behind our modern festivities in our historical guide – from the earliest winter celebrations to the man responsible for putting the ‘crack’ in crackers.

How did Christmas begin?

Long before Christianity, people have gathered to celebrate in the darkest days of winter. Early Europeans slaughtered their cattle to sustain them through these harsh months, and enjoyed the fresh meat along with alcohol that had fermented during the year.

The Christian festival we know today didn’t begin until the fourth century. Despite its celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ, Pope Julius I didn’t base his choice of 25 December on Jesus’s date of birth . This is because the Bible doesn’t actually tell us when he was born.

Rather, this midwinter choice was due to older festivals being held in the winter, which increased the chances of this new annual event – Christmas – being embraced by a wider population.

Read more about the origins of Christmas as we know it today

More like this

Who invented santa claus.

The creation of Santa Claus is often linked to Coca-Cola , thanks to their commissioning of the illustrator Haddon Sundblom in 1931. Sundblom produced an image of a man with ruddy cheeks, a white beard, and a red suit – and so the Santa we imagine today was born.

However, inspiration for our jolly visitor predates this modern depiction by centuries. The legend can be traced back to a monk named St Nicholas, who lived around AD 280 in Lycia, now part of modern Turkey. He was known for his generosity towards the poor and infirm, and was later declared the patron saint of children by the Catholic Church.

In the Netherlands, St Nicholas, known as ‘Sint Nicolaas’ or ‘Sinterklass’ (hence our name ‘Santa Claus’) is still celebrated on 6 December, the anniversary of his death. On the evening of 5 December, Dutch families commemorate this day by leaving a shoe out overnight, in hope that it will be filled with sweet treats and gifts by morning.

Discover more of the history behind Santa Claus

What is the history of the Christmas tree?

The tradition of decorating trees in the home was mostly contained to Germany until the late 1700s. Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, is credited with adding candles to tree branches in attempt to re-create the night sky indoors.

It’s commonly believed that Prince Albert, Queen Victoria ’s consort, introduced the Christmas tree to England in 1840. Though, the first recorded Christmas tree was erected by Queen Charlotte , wife of George III, in December 1800. By the mid-19th century, Christmas trees had become a popular staple amongst the middle classes, adorned with candles, homemade decorations, confectionary, and gifts.

Discover the Christmas traditions we can thank the Victorians for

How old are Christmas carols?

Vocal traditions during midwinter pre-date Christianity, with people singing, dancing and feasting to keep spirits high during the cold months. The earliest carols were often sung in a circle and accompanied by a dance, although these have since faded into obscurity.

Other carols originate from songs that weren’t originally associated with Christmas.

“One popular 16th-century song was the carol we know today as Deck the Halls ,” Alexandra Coghlan told HistoryExtra. “Back then it was a favourite Welsh song, originally titled Nos Galan . It wasn’t until the 19th century that it acquired Christmassy words and became part of our own festivities. In its earliest form, Deck the Halls was just a folk song, but one with some rather naughty words.”

Read about the history behind other Christmas carols

Why do we hang stockings on our fireplaces?

The origin of Christmas stockings can also be traced back to the benevolent monk St Nicholas. Legend has it that he dropped a bag of gold down a chimney to aid a household in need, and the gift landed in a stocking hung to dry on the fireplace.

• Read more | Welsh Christmas traditions through history

In 1822, minister Clement Clarke Moore penned the famous Christmas poem An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas , now known for its opening line, “Twas the night before Christmas”. This poem went one step further than the original legend and depicted St Nicholas flying on a reindeer-driven sled to deliver toys by entering through the chimney, solidifying the character's connection with gift-giving.

What are the origins of the Christmas wreath?

The earliest known record of Christmas wreaths can be traced back to Germany in 1833. A clergyman in the Lutheran church lit a candle in a wreath each Sunday during Advent. As he did so, he would narrate the nativity story from the Bible.

Did you know?

Over time, this religious custom spread to domestic use. Families created their own wreaths – typically made from evergreen branches – and adorned them with small candles, which would be lit one by one on the Sundays leading up to Christmas. This process symbolised the coming of the ‘Light of the World’ and the hope and anticipation of Christ’s birth.

In the later 19th century, wreaths adopted a slightly different form. The candles were replaced with ornaments, berries, pinecones and bows, resulting in the more decorative pieces we recognise today. They also became known as ‘welcome rings’, hung on front doors during the festive season.

When did we begin sending Christmas cards?

The first recorded Christmas card was sent in 1611 by German physician Michael Maier to King James I of England and his son, the Prince of Wales. It read:

“A greeting on the birthday of the Sacred King, to the most worshipful and energetic lord and most eminent James, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Defender of the true faith, with a gesture of joyful celebration of the Birthday of the Lord, in most joy and fortune, we enter the new auspicious year 1612.”

• Read more | Carrots, goblins and killer frogs: an unexpected history of Christmas

Though this was the first known festive correspondence, the concept of mass-produced cards wasn’t introduced until centuries later, in 1843. Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant, requested his friend, John Callcott Horsley, to illustrate a card for him. One thousand copies of the final product were printed, and an advert to purchase these cards detailed:

“Just published. A Christmas Congratulation Card: or picture emblematical of Old English Festivity to Perpetuate kind recollections between Dear Friends.”

In the 1870s, advances in publishing made sending Christmas cards like this affordable for the masses.

Who created the Christmas cracker?

It was London confectioner Tom Smith who first introduced the world to the Christmas cracker, in his attempt to boost sales of the French bonbon – a sugar-almond wrapped in paper with a twist at both ends.

Smith’s addition of a ‘love motto’ added an element of surprise to the treat. Yet, its evolution didn’t stop there. Later, he enlarged the packaging and replaced the bonbon with a small gift.

However, the true explosion of excitement arrived in 1847 when Smith first patented the festive ‘crack’ that would provide its name. This mechanism was perfected in the 1860s.

Read more about the history behind the Christmas cracker

Why do we kiss beneath the mistletoe?

There are many opinions on where the practice of kissing beneath the mistletoe might come from. One derives from a Viking myth of Frigg – the goddess of motherhood and marriage, and her son Balder. A doting mother, she cast a powerful spell to make sure no plant grown on Earth could be used as a weapon against her son.

The god Loki, envious of Balder’s invincibility, realised that one thing had escaped Frigg’s notice: mistletoe. This was because it grew from the trees and not from the earth.

He made a spear out of it that would eventually kill Balder. In her devastation, Frigg promised to kiss anyone who walked beneath it in memory of her son.

Find out more about why we kiss under the mistletoe

10 festive facts you might not know

Here are some Christmas facts from the QI team, featured in their books 1,342 QI Facts To Leave You Flabbergasted and The Third QI Book of General Ignorance :

1) In the 17th century, Christmas turkeys walked from East Anglia to London in three months.

2) Murderous frogs featured on Victorian Christmas cards, along with children being boiled in teapots and mice riding lobsters.

3) After noticing that she washed up bare-handed, Margaret Thatcher sent the Queen rubber gloves for Christmas.

4) The fake snow in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and White Christmas (1954) was made of asbestos.

5) Orthodox Jewish couples abstain from sex on Christmas Eve. Rabbis used to advise them to pass the time tearing toilet paper instead.

6) Christmas presents in Greece aren’t delivered by Father Christmas, but by Saint Basil.

7) Harper Lee’s friends gave her a year’s wages for Christmas 1956 so she could take time off to finish To Kill a Mockingbird .

8) Cary Grant and Clark Gable met once a year to exchange unwanted monogrammed Christmas gifts.

9) ‘Jingle Bells’ wasn’t originally written as a Christmas song, but to celebrate Thanksgiving.

10) Taking down decorations on Twelfth Night (5 or 6 January) is a modern superstition. For many centuries they were kept up until Candlemas Eve, 1 February. Candlemas celebrates Mary and Joseph taking the baby Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem and presenting him to the Lord.

Enjoyed our festive facts? Why not discover the history of Christmas food with Annie Gray in our four-part series – from the raucous world of Tudor feasting to the elegance of Georgian fine dining.

Lauren Good is the digital content producer at HistoryExtra. She joined the team in 2022 after completing an MA in Creative Writing, and she holds a first-class degree in English and Classical Studies.

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Christmas Through the Ages

The Christmas holiday has gathered around it customs and traditions for over two millennia, some of which even pre-date the Christian festival itself. From gift-giving to the sumptuous spread of a Christmas dinner table, this article traces the history of the celebrations from Roman times to the Victorian era when our modern take on the holiday was firmly established in both deed and literature . Although many of the traditions described herein are universal to all Christian countries, particularly up to the end of the Middle Ages, we here present the Christmas traditions largely in terms of the Anglo- Saxon experience.

Origins: Saturnalia

Several of the traditions today strongly associated with Christmas have a very long history indeed, even pre-dating the Christmas celebration itself. Early Christianity sought to distance itself from pagan practices and so later Roman emperors closed down ancient sacred sites, prohibited rituals, and ended sporting games that had once honoured pagan gods. However, changing the habits of ordinary people was a different matter. The pagan festival of Saturnalia had been particularly popular, and its traditions that had endured for a millennium were, in many cases, simply transferred to the new festival of Christmas.

Saturnalia was a week-long Roman festival held between the 17th and 23rd of December that honoured the agricultural god Saturn , nicely encompassing the winter solstice, another event of significance in the pagan calendar. The fact that this was the merriest of all Roman holidays probably derived from Saturn's role as a ruler when the world was basking in a golden age of happiness and prosperity. The festival, which dates back to the 5th century BCE, was described by the 1st-century BCE Roman poet Catullus as "the best of times".

Saturnalia involved giving to friends and family gifts like candles, coins, and food. Less formal clothes were worn, games played, feasts enjoyed, and there were even role-reversal parties. Social restrictions were eased a little, and activities like gambling or appearing drunk in public were less frowned upon. It all sounds rather familiar, does it not? The festival was pushed later in December over time, and just as Athens ' Parthenon had to bear a church and bell tower within its columns, so, too, Saturnalia, one way or another, morphed into the Christmas celebration.

A Medieval Christmas

During the medieval period (500 to 1500), the celebration went from strength to strength. It was the longest holiday of the year, typically the full 12 days of Christmas. From the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) to the Twelfth Day (5 January), people took a much-needed rest, largely thanks to the lull in agricultural activity mid-winter.

Christmas preparations began in the home of the poor as well as the rich. Winter foliage was available, and greenery was gathered to decorate the house with garlands. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe had long been admired by the Celts and were associated with protection against evil spirits and fertility. A giant double hoop of mistletoe usually took pride of place in one's living room. The fertility connection explains, then, why a tradition developed of couples kissing under the mistletoe, picking off a bright white berry with each peck given. Another important feature of a home at Christmas, and another link with pagan practices, was the Yule log. This prodigious piece of tree trunk was placed in the hearth and kept lit for all 12 days of the holiday.

The point of Christmas was, of course, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ . Attendance at church was expected of all; indeed, in certain periods it was compulsory. Local churches made a real effort to provide a service worthy of the occasion. Candles were lit, and glittering gilded altarpieces were opened, many for this special day only. The choir sang and added extra songs and dynamic dialogues known as 'troping'. From this activity sprang the tradition of using individual speakers or actors to perform scenes from the story of the Nativity. Over time, the Christmas nativity became a piece of theatre with costumes and even live animals.

In reference to the Magi 's three gifts of gold , frankincense, and myrrh when they visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, gifts were given to friends and family. For the rich, fine clothes and jewellery were the norm; for the less well-off, nicer food than usual, a bundle of firewood or simple wooden toys like spinning tops and dolls were eagerly anticipated. Serfs, alas, were often expected to present their lord with extra bread and eggs, and perhaps a chicken at Christmas. In the other direction, the landed gentry did give gifts to some of their free staff who might receive a bonus of clothing or winter supplies. Gifts were given again on the 1st of January. Known as 'first-gifts', these were thought to indicate one's fortunes in the coming year. Another omen for the future was who one's first guest of the year was. People visited each other's homes on New Year's Day, and for this activity, known as 'first-footing', it was considered most desirable if the guest was male, dark-haired, and flat-footed.

In the Middle Ages, as now, food was a big part of the pleasure of Christmas. The rich had to outdo their already handsome manor tables, providing guests with meats like roast peacock, swan, or boar's head, as well as treats like salmon and oysters. Desserts were similar to today's festive fare: nuts, oranges, cakes, fruit custards, figs, and dates. To drink, there was sweetened or spiced wine, cider, and ale. The great Christmas meal was generally an early lunch. The table cloth was changed after every course and entertainments included music , acrobats, jesters, and plays put on by roving minstrels. That parties everywhere could get out of hand is attested by records of watchmen being paid to ensure property was not damaged over the 12-day holiday, particularly the big parties held on the eve of the 6th of January, known as Twelfth Night.

The poor enjoyed more modest entertainment like cards and dice, carols, playing musical instruments, board games, telling folktales, and enjoying traditional party games like permitting one person to be the 'king of the feast' if they found a bean in the special bread or cake – everyone else then had to mimic the 'king' (a role-reversal game that echoed Saturnalia's similar 'Lord of Misrule'). Free public entertainments of the holiday were put on by churches and guilds such as puppet shows, pantomimes, and pageants. There were, too, the masked mummers, professional entertainers who visited homes and performed for a small fee or a bit of refreshment. Another enduring medieval tradition that continues in our Christmases today is helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Leftovers from the grand lunch in a manor were often given to the poor, and some lucky individuals might even be invited to the meal itself, for example, two of the lord's serfs.

An Elizabethan Christmas

As the Middle Ages came to a close, the dominant role of the medieval Church in people's lives began to ease a little. Attendance at certain church services remained compulsory by law , but the Reformation and its dislike of imagery and show in churches did diminish somewhat the splendour of Christmas services. During the Elizabethan Era (1558-1603 CE) 'holy days' continued to be the main source of public 'holidays' – a term now being used for the first time – but there were also more secular activities establishing themselves as popular traditions. For example, Advent had been a time of fasting before Christmas, beginning on Saint Andrew's Day, 30 November. By now, though, it was becoming more of a countdown to the Christmas holiday which was still 12 days long. Many more children were now attending schools than in the Middle Ages, and they were given the two weeks off.

Gift-giving continued, as did the idea that this was a time of year when acts of charity should be pursued. The tradition of giving gifts on the 1st January remained strong, and this included Elizabeth I of England herself, who regularly received jewels, extravagant dresses, and feather fans from her courtiers. Poorer folk often gave pins, gloves, and fruit on this day.

The food was perhaps the part most looked forward to; indeed, the Christmas feast was now so extravagant that the baker of the house required much more preparation time. For this reason, the holidays came to begin on the 'Eve' of Christmas, 24 December, usually the late afternoon of that day. By now, the 25th had taken over as the big day of the holidays in terms of private celebrations and parties, eclipsing those previously held on Twelfth Night.

In homes decorated with evergreens and candles, feasts included lots of meat and seafood since these were still rare guests on the table at other times of the year. Pies, spiced fruitcakes, nuts, and 'brawn' (pickled pork) were especially popular, as was wassail, a type of spiced ale that was usually drunk from a brown bowl to the accompaniment of songs. The popularity of games (especially cards) and entertainment continued as before. Social rules were relaxed, too, as by now most people expected. Reversing the roles of the sexes, allowing apprentices to get the better of their masters, and having two commoners act as the 'king and queen of the feast' brought much hilarity and occasions for people to demonstrate their wit. The two monarchs were typically chosen because they had found a bean and a pea respectively inside a spiced cake.

Christmas was an opportunity for travel and seeing the kingdom's sights. With no public roads, travelling by horse and carriage was slow and uncomfortable; nevertheless, the more intrepid could visit sights like Francis Drake 's Golden Hind ship in London, which had made the first English circumnavigation of the globe (1577 to 1580). The sparkle of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London was another popular attraction in the Tudor period.

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The very name Christmas did come under fire during the English Reformation when the reference to the Catholic Mass was seen as undesirable within the Anglican Church. Christmas itself was seriously threatened by the Puritans , those Christian extremists who preferred to fast on Christmas day. Fortunately for everyone, the decision to cancel the celebration of Christmas by law was reversed in 1660. The holiday was back and now firmly established as the most important of the year, in this respect, replacing the celebration of Easter for many people.

A Victorian Christmas

The next leap forward in how Christmas was celebrated came during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, a period which witnessed some significant new traditions that have since become a lasting part of the holiday season. The Victorians displayed a great nostalgia for the merry Christmas festivities of the medieval period. Just as many today wistfully romanticise the Christmases of the Victorian period, so in the 19th century, writers like Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) eulogised on the Christmases of yore. In effect, the holiday had become an exercise in capturing that elusive myth of a past golden age, an exercise which, in many ways, continues today. The Victorians certainly ensured that such medieval elements as a Christmas morning church service, feasting, games, gifts, and pantomimes continued to enjoy their status as essential activities of the season.

Queen Victoria's husband was Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the Prince Consort (l. 1819-61), and he introduced to Britain the tradition of the Christmas tree, which was popular in his home country. Not the first royal to have a Christmas tree in England , nevertheless, from 1841, Prince Albert began a lasting tradition which soon spread from town squares to living rooms across the country, the idea being spread by popular illustrated magazines that revealed the private festivities of the royal family. Mistletoe remained an important element of decoration, but the tree eventually replaced it as the centrepiece of the home at Christmas. The young fir tree was decorated with candles and small presents (toys, sweets, charms, and candied fruit) hung from its boughs that were destined to be distributed to the Christmas guests who might have their name tagged to their gift.

Carols and songs were sung around the family piano or by small groups of carol singers outside people's homes on Christmas Eve, their reward being a glass of punch or a hot pie. The first book of carols actually dates back to 1521, but it was the Victorians who spread this tradition far and wide, collecting long-forgotten carols and adding their own to newly published anthologies.

A more efficient postage system and the introduction of the Penny Black stamp in 1840 meant that correspondence increased and a tradition developed of sending friends and distant family a Christmas card, first introduced in England in 1843. Coming in all shapes and sizes, these were lithographed, hand-coloured, and often boasted ribbons and lace. There were all kinds of subjects depicted on cards, but one recurring theme was snow scenes, a reflection of the string of harsh winters in England through the 1830s and 1840s. White Christmases became much rarer thereafter but the scene in people's imaginations was by then set.

A huge range of gifts was available from shops that festooned their windows to entice indecisive shoppers, and many sent out catalogues for those not able to visit in person. Rather than being made in the home, mass-produced toys were now available, often imported from centres in Germany and Holland. Not just simple affairs made of wood, toys became ingenious. Miniaturised mechanisms made dolls walk and trains trundle. Presents were now given primarily on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. The 26th of December became known as Boxing Day in Britain because this was the day when employers traditionally gave a box of gifts and leftovers to their servants and workers.

The greatest gift-giver at Christmas is, of course, Father Christmas. The jolly figure with the long white beard who visits homes on Christmas Eve to leave good children presents has his origins in the 4th-century Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Anatolia who delighted in distributing gifts, including sacks of gold. As one recipient had received her gold via the chimney and it landed in a sock, so the familiar method of delivery became established. The Saint is celebrated on 6 December and still, in many countries today, that is the time when children hang up their stockings or slippers. Father Christmas was not only inspired by Saint Nicholas but he also incorporated elements of the 'Spirit of Christmas' of folklore, which explains his more jovial and spirit-loving side, a trait children hopefully appeal to by leaving him out an alcoholic drink of some sort on Christmas Eve. The gift-giving jovial figure has many guises, from Christkind (Germany) to Santa Claus (United States). It was the American version of the red-suited man with a proud paunch – seen from around 1850 – that won the day, it seems, in the popular imagination of just who brings the best presents.

There was a general rise in living standards, although of course not for everybody, and this meant that a special meat was now required for the Christmas feast. Roast beef had been popular in the north of England and goose in the south, but as the century wore on, up stepped the turkey to take centre stage on many a dinner table. Even less well-off families could have a large bird for Christmas if they joined such schemes as The Goose Club, paying into an account weekly to have the bird at Christmas which was then cooked at a baker's. Either side of the roast fowl, there was soup, oysters, lamb, port jelly, fruit, nuts, and whatever other delicacies a family could afford for this the greatest meal of the year.

The finale was a steamed Christmas pudding, often called a plum pudding after its main ingredient (already replaced by currants and raisins in the Victorian era). A silver coin such as a Threepenny piece was placed inside the pudding, an echo of the medieval bean in the cake tradition. The spherical pudding was decorated with a sprig of holly and covered in rum or brandy so that it could be served alight. It became such an anticipated part of Christmas that even sailors, lighthouse keepers, and polar explorers carried one to eat on the big day. Mince pies were popular, then with a mix of meat and fruit (the former has been discarded in the modern version). The spiced fruit cake of the Elizabethans became the traditional iced Christmas cake, eaten after dinner or for supper, perhaps with a little cheese and a glass of port.

The table was decorated with Christmas crackers, paper rolls that two people pulled open with a crack, and inside were small toys, charms, silhouette portraits, sweets, paper hats, and mottoes. There was, too, a change in timing, some families continued to eat a Christmas lunch, perhaps a little later than a normal one, while others ate a Christmas dinner in the evening. After the meal, there was dancing, singing, recitations, perhaps a little turn of conjuring from a guest or some magic lantern slides. There were games, too, like charades, Blindman's Buff, Hunt the Slipper, or Snap Dragon (picking out raisins from a bowl aflame with brandy).

All of these Victorian Christmas activities were captured, celebrated, and preserved for future generations by writers of the period, and none did so more successfully than Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Dickens' festive tale A Christmas Carol , with its story of the reformed miser Ebenezer Scrooge, has itself become a staple part of Christmas ever since its publication in 1843.

The traditions have, of course, kept growing, with additions like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, children meeting Santa in the local department store, and chocolate advent calendars. Nowadays, electric lights may have replaced the candles on the tree, churches are not quite as busy as they used to be, the Yule log is now usually chocolate, and many of the cards have become electronic, but the traditions that have run through the centuries to celebrate Christmas Day continue each and every year to enchant and inspire as they have always done.

Midnight strikes. You hear it in the silence of Christmas night as you hear it at no other time. The great day has come to an end. If you are abroad you will be startled by your own solitude. You will understand how truly is Christmas the festival of the home. Christmas London, G. R. Sims (Miall, 149)

This article is dedicated to the author's late mother Ruth Cartwright who, cheerfully busy at her stove, ensured each and every Christmas was merry and bright with festive fare.

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Bibliography

• Antony Miall & Peter Miall. The Victorian Christmas book. Pantheon Books, 1978.
• Bagnall, R. (ed). The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
• Barchiesi, Alessandro & Scheidel, Walter. The Oxford Handbook of Roman Studies . Oxford University Press, 2020.
• Butterworth, Alex & Laurence, Ray. Pompeii. St. Martin's Press, 2006.
• Hornblower, Simon & Spawforth, Antony & Eidinow, Esther. The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 2012.
• Jeffrey L. Singman. Daily Life in Elizabethan England. Greenwood, 1995.
• Morrill, John. The Oxford Illustrated History of Tudor & Stuart Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
• Wagner, John A. Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World. Checkmark Books, 2002.

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Cartwright, M. (2021, December 07). Christmas Through the Ages . World History Encyclopedia . Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1893/christmas-through-the-ages/

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Cartwright, Mark. " Christmas Through the Ages ." World History Encyclopedia . Last modified December 07, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1893/christmas-through-the-ages/.

Cartwright, Mark. " Christmas Through the Ages ." World History Encyclopedia . World History Encyclopedia, 07 Dec 2021. Web. 19 Jun 2024.

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Essay on Christmas

Here we have shared the Essay on Christmas in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Christmas in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Christmas in 150-250 words

Essay on christmas in 300-400 words, essay on christmas in 500-1000 words.

Christmas is a joyous festival celebrated around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of love, warmth, and togetherness. On this day, people exchange gifts, decorate Christmas trees, and share delicious meals with family and friends.

The festive spirit is evident in the vibrant decorations that adorn streets and homes. Colorful lights twinkle, wreaths hang on doors, and stockings are hung by the fireplace in anticipation of Santa Claus. Christmas carols fill the air, spreading cheer and goodwill.

Children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, hoping to find gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Families come together to exchange presents and share heartfelt moments. The true essence of Christmas lies in the spirit of giving and showing gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

Religious ceremonies take place in churches, where believers gather to remember the significance of the birth of Jesus. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and finding solace in the message of hope and redemption.

Christmas is a time when people set aside their differences and embrace the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It is a celebration that brings people closer, fostering a sense of unity and goodwill that extends beyond religious boundaries.

In conclusion, Christmas is a cherished holiday that encapsulates the spirit of love, joy, and generosity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family, faith, and spreading happiness to those around us.

Christmas is a widely celebrated festival that holds deep cultural and religious significance for millions of people around the world. It is observed on December 25th each year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the central figure of Christianity.

The preparation for Christmas begins weeks in advance, with homes and streets adorned with colorful decorations. Christmas trees, covered in lights, ornaments, and tinsel, become the centerpiece of many households. Wreaths, mistletoe, and holly are hung, adding a festive touch to doors and windows.

One of the most exciting aspects of Christmas is the exchange of gifts. People carefully select and wrap presents for their loved ones, keeping in mind their interests and desires. The act of giving gifts symbolizes the love and appreciation we have for one another, mirroring the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus.

Another cherished tradition is the gathering of family and friends. Christmas is a time for loved ones to come together and share in the joy of the season. Festive meals are prepared, with feasts consisting of roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and various other delectable dishes. The dining table becomes a hub of laughter, conversations, and bonding.

Religious ceremonies are an integral part of Christmas celebrations. Churches hold special services, including midnight Mass, where believers gather to worship and reflect on the birth of Jesus. Hymns and carols are sung, evoking a sense of spirituality and creating a serene ambiance.

For children, the highlight of Christmas is the anticipation of Santa Claus. They eagerly hang stockings by the fireplace, hoping to find them filled with gifts the next morning. The myth of Santa Claus embodies the spirit of kindness and generosity, encouraging children to be well-behaved and considerate.

However, beyond the festive decorations, gift-giving, and feasting, Christmas holds a deeper significance. It is a time for introspection and reflection, reminding us of the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It serves as a reminder to extend a helping hand to those in need and to appreciate the blessings in our lives.

In conclusion, Christmas is a cherished and widely celebrated festival that brings joy, love, and unity. It is a time to come together with family and friends, exchange gifts, and express gratitude. While it holds religious significance, its essence of spreading happiness and goodwill transcends religious boundaries, making it a festival that is celebrated and appreciated by people of diverse cultures and beliefs.

Title: Christmas – Celebrating Joy, Love, and Togetherness

Introduction :

Christmas, a widely celebrated festival around the world, holds immense cultural and religious significance. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolizes love, joy, and the spirit of giving. This essay explores the traditions, customs, and symbolism associated with Christmas, highlighting its impact on individuals and communities.

Historical and Religious Significance

Christmas has its roots in Christianity and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. According to biblical accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary and Joseph. The nativity story of the baby Jesus in a manger, visited by shepherds and the three wise men, forms the core of the Christmas narrative. For Christians, Christmas is a time to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus and the message of hope and salvation that he brought to the world.

Festive Preparations and Traditions

The celebration of Christmas involves a range of customs and traditions that vary across cultures. Weeks before Christmas, people engage in festive preparations, including decorating homes and public spaces with lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees. Exchanging greeting cards, hanging stockings, and displaying Nativity scenes are also common traditions.

One of the most cherished traditions is the Advent calendar, which counts down the days leading up to Christmas. Each day, a door or compartment is opened, revealing a surprise or Bible verse.

The Joy of Giving and Sharing

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing. The exchange of gifts symbolizes the gift of love and generosity that Jesus brought to the world. Families and friends exchange presents, expressing their love and appreciation for one another. Many also engage in acts of charity, donating to those in need, volunteering at shelters, or participating in community service projects. The spirit of giving fosters a sense of compassion, unity, and goodwill during the Christmas season.

Culinary Delights and Festive Feasts

Food plays a significant role in Christmas celebrations. Traditional dishes and festive feasts are prepared, reflecting regional and cultural preferences. Roasted turkey, glazed ham, Christmas pudding, cookies, and cakes are popular culinary delights associated with Christmas. Families gather around the table to share a bountiful meal, fostering a sense of togetherness and gratitude.

Cultural Celebrations and Customs

Christmas is celebrated with diverse customs and traditions around the world. Carols and hymns are sung, portraying the joy and significance of the season. Community gatherings, Christmas markets, and parades are organized, featuring music, dance, and festive performances.

In some regions, such as Latin America, the celebration extends beyond Christmas Day to include the nine-day novena leading up to Christmas, known as Las Posadas. This tradition reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Reflection, Faith, and Hope

Christmas is a time for reflection and renewed faith. It provides an opportunity for individuals to contemplate the spiritual aspects of the season, reconnect with their beliefs, and find solace and hope in the message of Jesus’ birth.

Conclusion :

Christmas is a time of celebration, love, and togetherness, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. It reminds us of the importance of compassion, joy, and the spirit of giving. The customs and traditions associated with Christmas foster a sense of community, strengthen family bonds, and inspire acts of kindness. Beyond the festivities, Christmas holds a deeper meaning, inviting individuals to reflect on their faith, seek peace and unity, and embrace the message of love that resonates throughout the season.

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Christmas Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on christmas essay.

Christmas is a well-known Christian holiday set in December, celebrated the world over and famed for its decorations and Santa Clause. The Christmas means  “Feast day of Christ”.It is a yearly celebration marking Jesus Christ’s birth; it is observed on the 25th of December as a cultural and religious celebration among a lot of people all over the world. Christmas is celebrated in all Christian countries but there are differences in the way each nation celebrates this date.

History Behind Christmas

The history of Christmas is one that dates back to a very long time; the first Christmas was celebrated in 336 A.D. in Rome. It played a very important role during the famed Arian controversy that took place in the 300s. During the early years of the middle age, epiphany overshadowed it.

Christmas was brought back to limelight around 800 A.D. when the emperor Charlemagne received the crown on Christmas day. During the 17th century, the Puritans had Christmas banned because it was associated with drunkenness and different other misbehavior.

It was made a proper holiday around 1660 but was still quite disreputable. Around the early 1900s, the Oxford movement of the Anglican Communion church started and this led to the revival of Christmas.

Preparations for Christmas

Christmas is a cultural festivity that entails a lot of preparations. It is a public holiday and so people get a Christmas break to celebrate it.

Preparations for Christmas start early for most people so that celebrations begin on the eve of Christmas. Preparations for Christmas involves a lot of activities. People usually buy decorations, food, and gifts mostly for children in the family and friends. Some families shop for matching Christmas outfits for everyone.

The common preparations include decorations of the place with Christmas trees, lighting. Before decorations begin, the house must be deep cleaned. The Christmas tree brings the Christmas spirit in homes.

Presents are placed under the Christmas tree in wrapped gift boxes and are not to be opened until Christmas day. The church is also decorated for the special event. Thorough cleaning of the churches is also done to usher in Christmas. Songs and skits to be performed on Christmas day.

People usually spend a lot on Christmas and so saving money for these plans should be the earliest preparation among all these. Families also plan to travel to stay together during this celebration period. Traditionally turkey is the common meal across the world in this day. Cards are also written to friends and family to wish them a happy holiday and to show love.

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Christmas Day Celebration

Christmas carols are played on radios and televisions to mark the day. Most families start by going to church where performances and songs are done. Then later, they join their families to exchange gifts and celebrate with food and music. Happiness during Christmas is like no other.

Homemade traditional plum cakes, cupcakes, and muffins are the special treats on Christmas. Kids are showered with lots of presents and new dresses. They also get to meet the ‘Santa Claus’, dressed in a fluffy red and white costume, who greets them with hugs and gifts.

Conclusion:

Christmas reminds us of the importance of giving and sharing with friends and family. Through Christmas, we know that Jesus birth is the beginning of great things in the world. It is generally an opportunity to think about nature and the reason for our existence. Christmas is such a festival which people from all religions and faith celebrate worldwide despite it being a Christian festival. It is the essence of this festival which unites the people so much.

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How Washington Irving Shaped Christmas in America

The famous knickerbocker was all about saint nick..

 Library of Congress

Thanks to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” his creepy tale about an ungainly schoolteacher who vanishes mysteriously in the woods, Washington Irving is perhaps best known to modern readers as an author to read on Halloween.

But Irving wrote much more about yuletide—so widely and imaginatively, in fact, that he’s often credited with creating Christmas in America as we know it.

“He did not ‘invent’ the holiday,” biographer Andrew Burstein notes, “but he did all he could to make minor customs into major customs—to make them enriching signs of family and social togetherness.”

Among Irving’s biggest contributions to Christmas in America was his promotion of St. Nicholas as a beloved character, laying the groundwork for the figure we’d eventually embrace as Santa Claus.

Irving (1783–1859) was the subject of a 2014  Humanities  profile because of his trip through the American West—an unlikely and sometimes comic odyssey for a man who was more at home in his native New York City and the great capitals of Europe.

Gotham, in fact, was the subject that established Irving’s fame in 1809, when his  A History of New York  became a publishing sensation. The book was conceived as a parody of Samuel L. Mitchill’s  The Picture of New-York; or the Traveller’s Guide through the Commercial Metropolis of the United States .

Mitchill, a Columbia medical professor and U.S. senator, seemed to know everything about everything, and Irving poked fun at Mitchill’s know-it-all sensibility with his fictional account of Manhattan, which includes some tall tales about its origins. Among Irving’s yarns was a story about the shipwreck of a Dutch scouting party on Manhattan, where one of its members receives a vision in which “good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children.” Nicholas tells the Dutch to settle on the island—Saint Nick, in a sense, becoming the founding father of the most famous city in America.

Irving’s affection for Saint Nicholas proved durable. In 1835, he helped found the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, serving as its secretary until 1841. Beyond his interest in Nicholas, Irving advanced Christmas as the festive pageant of presents and feasting that now dominates the American winter calendar.

He had traveled to England in 1815, where various personal and professional interests kept him abroad until 1832.  The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent ., which greeted American readers in 1819, contained a smattering of essays and short stories, including the iconic “Sleepy Hollow,” but its pieces on yuletide helped revive interest in the holiday. “While a number of other stories in  The Sketch   Book  were better known, none would have a greater impact on American culture than these four Christmas essays,” writes biographer Brian Jay Jones.

Irving wrote with fondness of old English Christmases, with their dinners and dancing and singing, their decorations and blazing fires, their air of good cheer. “Amidst the general call to happiness, the bustle of the spirits, and stir of the affections, which prevail at this period,” he asked, “what bosom can remain insensible?”

Back in his homeland, Irving’s homage to the holiday resonated with the public. “Charles Dickens later fine-tuned the Christmas story,” Jones argues, “but Irving had laid the foundation. Americans embraced Irving’s vision of Christmas as their own, marking the revival of a holiday that had been banned in parts of the country for the excessive drinking and fighting it spurred in the populace.”

As Burstein points out, “Irving dressed up an idea that had been floating around.”

Until the end of his life, or so it seems, Irving saw Christmas not only as an indulgence, but a spiritual necessity. “He who can turn churlishly away from contemplating the felicity of his fellow beings,” he wrote, “and can sit down darkling and repining in his loneliness when all around is joyful, may have his moments of strong excitement and selfish gratification, but he wants the genial and social sympathies which constitute the charm of a merry Christmas.”

Danny Heitman is the editor of Phi Kappa Phi’s Forum magazine and a columnist for the  Advocate newspaper in Louisiana. He writes frequently about arts and culture for national publications, including the Wall Street Journal and the  Christian Science Monitor.

Funding information

Washington Irving has been named in numerous NEH grants over the  years . NEH has provided $354,990 in support to Ramapo College of New Jersey for four one-week teacher workshops on "The Hudson River in the 19th century and the Modernization of America." Short stories by Washington Irving were included in the workshops. The Library of America, which was started in 1978 with a then-unprecedented NEH grant of $1 million, keeps classic works of American literature in print. The LOA’s volumes include three collections of Irving’s work.

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• Christmas Essay

Essay On Christmas For Kids

Writing an essay on Christmas is a topic of interest for young kids and people of all ages. Christmas is one of the most popular festivals, which is widely celebrated by people from different communities across the globe. This festival is celebrated with great joy and zeal by Christians. Kids enjoy this festival as they get a lot of gifts from Santa Claus.

The “Essay on Christmas for Kids” is for young learners to refer to and understand the essence of the auspicious festival. They can also use the short essay about Christmas as a sample while they are asked to draft an essay on this topic at school or any social event.

Here’s a short essay on Christmas that kids can refer to while composing an essay on their own:

Download “Essay on Christmas” PDF for Free

Christmas essay for kids.

A Christmas tree is an artificial pine tree which is decorated with lights, artificial stars, flowers, toys and bells all over it. It looks beautiful when the decoration is complete. Churches are decorated with lights during Christmas and people hang star lanterns outdoors to mark the onset of the festive season. All members of the family sit and pray together in praise of Jesus Christ.

Kids are especially enthusiastic about Christmas as they expect Santa Claus to visit them and bring gifts to their homes on the night of Christmas Eve and the early hours of Christmas day. Presents are placed under the Christmas tree, wrapped in gift boxes and opened on the day of Christmas.

Kids sing Christmas carols like “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle all the way” and perform various skits celebrating the auspicious day. Christmas is a festival which is cherished by people from all faiths and religions. It reminds us of the importance of sharing, exchanging gifts and living in peace and harmony with our family and friends.”

In this article, we have made a simple attempt from our end to write a short essay on Christmas, which young learners can find useful for writing a few lines on this topic. In reality, kids enjoy writing an essay on such interesting topics as this gives them an opportunity to express why and what they enjoy about the festival. Besides, as they start framing sentences on their own, this helps them to improve their English writing skills too.

10 Lines Essay on Christmas for Kids

• Christmas is one of the vibrant festivals that is celebrated across the world.
• Christmas is the last festival of the year and is celebrated with a lot of pomp and joy.
• We get Christmas holidays and we visit our grandparents.
• These are the holidays we enjoy and we have a family get-together every year.
• My brother and I wait for these holidays every year to have a fantastic time.
• We go for a family vacation and spend some quality time.
• One of our neighbours bakes delicious cakes, and we get cakes, cookies and candies from them.
• I love decorating our house with Christmas lights and stars.
• Our house looks wonderful and joyous every Christmas.
• We host our relatives and friends and have a nice time during Christmas and New Year.

For more such riveting essay topics , you can check our Kids Learning page and gift your child the joy of learning.

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this essay is very helpful I am win 3rd price in essay writing competition

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Essay on Christmas Celebration

Students are often asked to write an essay on Christmas Celebration in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Introduction.

Christmas is a festive season celebrated globally on 25th December, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, giving, and family gatherings.

Decorations

Food and gifts.

Special meals are prepared, and families exchange gifts. Cookies and milk are left out for Santa Claus.

Church Services

Many attend church services, sing carols, and enact nativity plays to remember the birth of Jesus.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Christmas, celebrated globally on December 25th, is a festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, generosity, and family gatherings, imbued with profound spiritual significance and vibrant traditions.

The Significance of Christmas

Christmas is not just a religious event; it is a cultural phenomenon that transcends geographical and religious boundaries. It symbolizes peace, goodwill, and compassion, fostering a sense of community and global unity. The festive season is also a period for introspection, to reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming one with renewed hope.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions vary significantly across cultures, yet some elements remain universally recognized. The decoration of Christmas trees, exchange of gifts, and singing carols are prevalent practices. In many cultures, a special meal is prepared on Christmas Eve, bringing families together in a feast of celebration.

The Spirit of Giving

In essence, Christmas is a celebration of love, peace, and joy, transcending religious and cultural barriers. It serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the universal values that bind us together. Despite the commercialization often associated with it, the true spirit of Christmas lies in its ability to unite people in a shared celebration of life and love.

500 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Christmas, celebrated on the 25th of December each year, is a universally recognized festival, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It transcends religious boundaries, becoming a time of joy, love, and community spirit. The celebration involves various traditions, rituals, and symbols, each carrying its own significance and history.

The History and Significance of Christmas

The roots of Christmas trace back to the 4th century when the Roman Church officially recognized the 25th of December as the day of Christ’s birth. The date coincided with the winter solstice and pagan festivals, which were transformed into a Christian celebration. The term ‘Christmas’ is derived from the Old English phrase ‘Cristes Maesse’, meaning ‘Christ’s Mass’.

Christmas Celebrations and Traditions

Christmas celebrations are rich and varied, reflecting the cultural diversity of those who observe it. Preparations often begin with Advent, the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. Houses are adorned with decorations, including the iconic Christmas tree, wreaths, and lights. The tree, an evergreen fir, symbolizes eternal life, while lights represent Christ, the ‘light of the world’.

Christmas Food and Festivities

Christmas is also a feast for the senses. Traditional foods vary across regions but often include special breads, cookies, and the main festive meal. In many Western cultures, this meal includes a roast, Christmas pudding, and mince pies. These delicacies add to the festive spirit and bring families together.

The Impact of Christmas on Society and Culture

Christmas has a profound impact on society and culture. It’s a time for family, community, and charity, promoting values such as love, generosity, and unity. The season encourages acts of kindness, often inspiring charitable activities and community outreach.

The economic impact of Christmas is significant too. The surge in retail sales boosts the economy, providing job opportunities and commercial growth.

In essence, Christmas is a celebration that transcends its religious origins to become a global festival of love, joy, and community spirit. It’s a time when the world seems to pause, and people come together to celebrate life and love. The traditions, symbols, and rituals associated with Christmas add to its charm and deepen its significance, making it a truly special time of the year.

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Essay on Christmas

Christmas Essay in English for Students

Essay writing is an important part of the curriculum. Students are asked to write essays in the exam to check their imagination and how well they can weave their thoughts into words. Essays also evaluate a kid’s knowledge of language and grammar. Christmas is the favorite festival of many kids and writing an essay on this festival is often enjoyed by young kids. Refer to the free essay on Christmas at Vedantu’s site.

Vedantu offers free tutorials on many things such as courses of all the grades, it offers tested material of several competitive exams, and there are essays on the trending topics, festivals, and informational stuff available on the Vedantu website. For whichever topic we offer information on, we aim to turn it hassle-free for the students to get a complete list. Let’s get ready to read a detailed essay on the Christmas festival that is celebrated all over the world by people of varied beliefs and religions. Here you go: 

Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25 . The festival marks the celebration of the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ . Jesus Christ is worshipped as the Messiah of God in Christian Mythology. Hence, his birthday is one of the most joyous ceremonies amongst Christians. Although the festival is mainly celebrated by the followers of Christianity, it is one of the most enjoyed festivals all over the globe. Christmas symbolizes merriment and love. It is celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm by everyone, no matter what religion they follow. 

The season of Christmas that begins from Thanksgiving brings festivity and joy to everyone’s lives. Thanksgiving is the day when people thank the almighty for blessing them with harvest and also show gratitude towards all the good things and people around. On Christmas, people wish each other Merry Christmas and pray that the day takes away all the negativity and darkness from people’s life. 

Christmas is a festival full of culture and tradition. The festival entails a lot of preparations. Preparations for Christmas start early for most people. Preparations for Christmas involve a lot of things including buying decorations, food items, and gifts for family members and friends. People usually wear white or red coloured outfits on the day of Christmas. 

The celebration begins with decorating a Christmas tree . Christmas tree decoration and lighting are the most important part of Christmas. The Christmas tree is an artificial or real pine tree that people adorn with lights, artificial stars, toys, bells, flowers, gifts, etc. People also hide gifts for their loved ones. Traditionally, gifts are hidden in socks under the tree. It is an old belief that a saint named Santa Claus comes on the night of Christmas eve and hides presents for well-behaved kids. This imaginary figure brings a smile to everyone’s face. 

Young children are especially excited about Christmas as they receive gifts and great Christmas treats. The treats include chocolates, cakes, cookies, etc. People on this day visit churches with their families and friends and light candles in front of the idol of Jesus Christ. Churches are decorated with fairy lights and candles. People also create fancy Christmas cribs and adorn them with gifts, lights, etc. Children sing Christmas carols and also perform various skits marking the celebration of the auspicious day. One of the famous Christmas carols sung by all is “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle all the way”.

On this day, people tell each other stories and anecdotes related to Christmas. It is believed that Jesus Christ, the son of God, came to the Earth on this day to end people’s sufferings and miseries. His visit is symbolic of goodwill and happiness and it is depicted through the visit of the wise men and the shepherds. Christmas is, indeed, a magical festival that is all about sharing joy and happiness. For this reason, it is also my most favorite festival. 

Apart from the religious beliefs, the festival is known as sharing gifts with family as well as friends. The cute kids wait for the whole year to receive gifts from Santa. The craze of receiving gifts increases so much that they get up at midnight and start asking what they are going to get from Santa. They share their wishes with their parents and their parents try to accomplish them on the behalf of Santa. 

The wheel of imparting knowledge to the students at Vedantu is designed in a manner that the students can grab it without facing any sort of challenge. Vedantu has designed both a website and an application considering the digital requirement of today’s era. Thus, you can either access the website or can download the application today only!

Also Check: Christmas Speech for Students in English

Christmas Essay for Kids in English

Christmas is a super-duper special day filled with laughter, twinkling lights, and the warmth of love. It's like a magical adventure where everyone gets to be a part of something incredible!

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of gingerbread cookies and the sound of jingle bells. It's a day when even the snowflakes seem to dance with joy. So, what makes Christmas so special?

Firstly, let's talk about Santa Claus! He's the jolly old man with a big, white beard who lives at the North Pole. Santa and his team of reindeer travel all around the world on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to good boys and girls. Can you believe he squeezes down chimneys to leave gifts under the Christmas tree? It's like a magical game of hide-and-seek with Santa!

Now, speaking of trees, have you ever seen a Christmas tree ? They are like giant, sparkling towers of happiness. Families decorate them with shiny baubles, twinkling lights, and a sparkly star on top. It's like turning your living room into a festive wonderland!

And oh, let's not forget about the delicious Christmas dinner! Families gather around the table to enjoy a feast of roast turkey, crispy potatoes, and yummy mince pies, telling stories . It's a time for sharing and caring, just like Santa does.

Christmas is not just about gifts and decorations; it's also about spending time with family and friends. Whether you're playing in the snow, singing carols , or wrapping presents, the joy of Christmas spreads like a warm, cosy blanket.

But wait, there's more! On Christmas morning, you might find stockings hanging by the fireplace. These are special socks where Santa leaves little surprises. It's like a treasure hunt right in your own home!

In the end, Christmas is a day where kindness and joy fill the air. It's a time to be grateful for the people we love and the magical moments we share. So, let's celebrate this wonderful day with laughter, love, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

FAQs on Essay on Christmas

1. Why is Christmas such a special day?

Christmas is special because it's a time of joy, love, and sharing. Families come together, and there's a magical feeling in the air. It's also when Santa Claus brings gifts to children around the world.

2. What are the key things to include in an essay about Christmas?

In your essay, make sure to talk about traditions like decorating the Christmas tree, the excitement of Santa Claus, the delicious Christmas dinner, and the joy of spending time with family and friends. Share the magic of the holiday!

3. Who is Santa Claus, and why is he important on Christmas?

Santa Claus is a jolly man with a white beard who lives at the North Pole. On Christmas Eve, he travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, delivering gifts to children. He brings happiness and surprises, making Christmas a time of wonder and excitement.

4. What makes a Christmas tree special, and how do families decorate it?

A Christmas tree is special because it turns your home into a festive wonderland. Families decorate it with shiny baubles, twinkling lights, and a sparkly star on top. It's a way to create a magical atmosphere and celebrate the holiday spirit.

5. Why is spending time with family and friends important during Christmas?

Christmas is not just about decorations and gifts; it's about being together with loved ones. Whether playing in the snow, singing carols, or enjoying a delicious dinner, these moments create memories and warmth. Christmas is a time to share love and happiness with those we care about.

Essay on Christmas

Festivals are likely a way to unite people together for the betterment of society as well as the nation. People celebrate and enjoy all the festivals together irrespective of their caste and religion. A large number of festivals have been celebrated in India. Out of which, one festival that excites all the children the most is Christmas. People eagerly wait for winter due to this incredible festival. So, to know more about this famous festival, today we will discuss the Christmas festival in detail.

Short and Long Christmas Festival Essay in English

Here, we are presenting short and long essays on Christmas in English for students under word limits of 100 – 150 Words, 200 – 250 words, and 500 – 600 words. This topic is useful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in English. These provided essays on Christmas Festival will help you to write effective essays, paragraphs, and speeches at this festival.

Christmas Essay 10 Lines (100-150 Words)

1) Christmas is the most important festival for Christians.

2) Every year, on December 25th, people gather to celebrate Christmas.

3) Christians decorate the X-Mas tree on this day with different decorative items.

4) The churches are decorated with lights and candles on this occasion.

5) Christmas marks the birthday of Jesus Christ.

6) “Christmas” is derived from “Cristes maesse”, which might be translated as “mass of Christ”.

7) People throw parties and enjoy special Christmas meals.

8) A special star-shaped light is placed on the door.

9) Santa Claus is the main attraction of this festival.

10) The festival of Christmas is a symbol of love and brotherhood.

Short Essay on Christmas (250-300 Words)

Introduction

Christmas is the festival of Christians, but it is now celebrated by people of all castes. Jesus is a symbol of love and peace, so the festival brings people together from different castes and religions.

Christmas: The Incredible Festival

Every year we celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Christmas marks the birthday of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the god of Christians. Christmas tree, Christmas Carol, and Santa Claus are the main excitement of this day. Shopping malls and showrooms are decorated with red and white Christmas theme to welcome Christmas. Children wait for Santa Claus who gives gifts to children. This festival teaches us to stay together and share the bond of love. People feel excited and happy during this festival.

How Christmas is Celebrated?

Around the world, people celebrate Christmas in diverse ways. People say “Merry Christmas” to each other to wish them well. Christmas is incomplete without the “Christmas tree” or “X-mas tree”. People decorate Christmas trees with lights and gifts. The night before Christmas is celebrated as Christmas Eve. Schools also celebrate Christmas with a lot of joy. Christmas treats are traditional plum cakes, cupcakes, and muffins that are made at home. People enjoy partying with their relatives and friends. Many people also visit the church on this day.

Every child loves Christmas for Santa Claus. Children think that Santa Claus would bring their gifts at night. However, they get gifts not from Santa but from their parents. Everyone should celebrate the festival with joy and spread the message of love and brotherhood.

Long Essay on Christmas (500 Words)

Christmas is a famous festival that is celebrated every year on December 25. Christmas means “day of Christ’s feast.” Christmas is celebrated in all Christian countries, but each one does it a little bit differently. Everyone, no matter what religion they follow, celebrates it with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm.

History of Christmas

Christmas has roots in both the pagan and Roman ways of life. Christmas started in the old Roman Empire a few decades after Jesus was born. During December, the Romans celebrated two holidays. The first was Saturnalia, a two-week celebration of Saturn, their god of agriculture. On December 25, they celebrated Mithra, their sun god, coming into the world.

On December 25, the Romans made a big deal out of the winter solstice. Sextus Julius Africanus was the first person to say that Jesus was born on December 25. After that, everyone agreed on that date.

Preparation of Christmas

The preparation for Christmas begins almost a week. People go shopping and buy various decorative items. Santa Claus and the Christmas tree are important parts of this festival. People put candy, gifts, sweets, lights, etc on a big pine or fir tree. A big star hangs on everyone’s house. Different kinds of lights are used to light up cities.

Many people throw small parties. For Christmas, a special meal is made, and houses are decorated with candles, dancing lights, etc. For the event, the church is also decorated. Many people go to church to offer prayers.

Christmas Celebration

People celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ, who taught people how to live in peace and harmony. Everyone, especially kids, can’t wait for the festival because on this day they get lots of gifts, sweets, and surprises. People wish each other and give each other sweets. Many people wear white and red clothes on this day.

People spend Christmas day by going to church, spending time with friends and family, and eating special meals. Little kids wait for Santa Claus to come with lots of gifts for them. Some people dress up as Santa Claus and distribute gifts to kids.

Significance of Christmas

Christmas is a special festival all over the world, especially for Christians and people who follow Christianity. This is a time for people to get together with their loved ones, forget about their worries, and have fun. So, during the Christmas season, everyone puts aside their differences and comes together with great zeal and passion to celebrate the festival. It’s about giving to others and helping them. The festival teaches us to be kind and loving to each other and to help those who don’t have as much as we do.

In Christian Mythology, Jesus Christ is revered as the “Messiah of God”. Jesus’ life is an example that everyone should try to live together in peace on earth. Christmas is a good time to remember how important it is to give and share with friends and family.

I hope the above provided essay on Christmas Festival will be helpful in understanding this festival and celebration clearly.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Christmas

Ans. Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Pakistan, Libya, Vietnam, etc. countries do not celebrate Christmas.

Ans. India observes the gazette holiday on the occasion of Christmas.

Ans. The first Christmas was celebrated in 336 AD in Rome.

Ans. Santa Claus is also known as Father Christmas.

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