Christmas, also known as Christmas and the birth of Jesus, is translated as' Christ mass'. It is a traditional western festival, originated from Christianity, on December 25 of the Gregorian calendar every year. Mass is a church service. Christmas is a religious day, because it is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus, so it is called 'Christmas'.
Most catholic churches hold midnight mass on the Christmas Eve of December 24, that is, in the early morning of December 25, while some Christian churches hold good news, and then celebrate Christmas on December 25; the Christmas of Orthodox Church, another branch of Christianity, is celebrated on January 7 every year.
Christmas is also a public holiday in the western world and many other regions, such as Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia and Singapore in Asia. In the age of Constantine (313 A.D.), the Roman Church gradually used to celebrate the birth of the Lord on December 25.
When is Christmas 2018 what day is Christmas 2018
Christmas 2018 is December 25, 2018, Tuesday, November 19 of the lunar calendar.
origin
Commemorating the birth of Jesus
It is said that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born by the Virgin Mary. In a dream, God sent Gabriel, an emissary, to tell Joseph not to let Mary go because she was unmarried and pregnant, but to marry her and call the child Jesus, meaning that he would save the people from their sins. When Mary was about to give birth, the Roman government issued an order that all the people must declare their household registration in Bethlehem. And Joseph and Mary obeyed. When they arrived in Bethlehem, it was already dark, but they couldn't find a hotel to stay. There was only a stable for them to stay. Just then, Jesus was about to be born. So Mary only gave birth to Jesus in the manger. In order to commemorate the birth of Jesus, posterity set December 25 as Christmas day, and looked forward to mass every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
Establishment of Roman Church
At the beginning of the 4th century, January 6 was a double festival in the eastern part of the Roman Empire to commemorate the birth and baptism of Jesus. At that time, the exception was the Church of lulalem, which only commemorated the birth of Jesus but not the baptism of Jesus. Later historians found in the calendar used by Roman Christians that on December 25, 354 A.D., it was recorded: 'Christ was born in Bethlehem, Judah. After research, it is generally believed that the company of Christmas on December 25 may start in the Roman Church in 336 A.D., spread to Antioch in Asia Minor in about 375 A.D., and spread to Alexandria in Egypt in 430 A.D., and the Church of Nazarene received the latest, while the Church of Armenia still insists that the Epiphany on January 6 is the birthday of Jesus.
December 25 Japan is the birthday of Mithra, the Persian Sun God, which is a pagan festival. At the same time, the sun god is one of the Roman gods. This day is also the winter solstice in the Roman calendar. The pagans who worship the sun god regard this day as the hope of spring and the beginning of the recovery of all things. For this reason, the Roman church chose this day as Christmas. This is one of the measures that the Church tried to Christianize the customs of the infidels in the early days. Later, although most churches accepted December 25 as Christmas day, they insisted that the calendars used by different churches were different, and the specific dates could not be unified. Therefore, from December 24 to January 6 of the next year, they set Christmas day as Christmas day, which can be celebrated by different churches according to the local conditions. Since December 25 was recognized as Christmas by most churches, the original Epiphany on January 6 only commemorates the baptism of Jesus. However, the Catholic Church also designated January 6 as the "Three Kings coming to the court" to commemorate the story of the three eastern Kings (namely the three doctors) coming to worship when Jesus was born. With the wide spread of Christianity, Christmas has become an important festival for Christians and even non Christians.
Development
As we all know, Christmas is set up to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but the Bible never mentions that Jesus was born on this day, and even many historians believe that Jesus was born in spring. It was not until the third century that December 25th was officially designated as Christmas. Nevertheless, there are some Orthodox churches that set January 6 and 7 as Christmas.
Christmas is a religious holiday. In the 19th century, the popularity of Christmas cards and the appearance of Santa Claus made Christmas gradually popular. After Christmas celebrations became popular in northern Europe, Christmas decorations combined with winter in the northern hemisphere also appeared.
From the beginning of the 19th century to the middle of the 19th century, Christmas began in Europe and America. And derived the corresponding Christmas culture. Christmas spread to Asia in the middle of the 19th century. Japan, South Korea, China, etc. were all influenced by Christmas culture. After the reform and opening-up, Christmas is especially prominent in China. By the beginning of the 21st century, Christmas organically combined with the local customs of China, and gradually developed. Eating apples, wearing christmas hats, sending Christmas cards, going to Christmas parties and shopping have become part of Chinese life.
Custom celebration
gift
Christmas card
Christmas cards are very popular in the United States and Europe. Many families bring their family photos or family news with them. The news usually includes the advantages and specialties of family members in the past year. On Christmas day, it was pointed out that the ideal of one family in the world can only be achieved through peaceful words and deeds. Sending a Christmas card is not only a celebration of Christmas, but also a blessing to relatives and friends to show their nostalgia. Especially for the relatives and friends in loneliness, it is a kind care and comfort.
decorate
Christmas stocking
The first one was a pair of big red socks, of all sizes. Because the Christmas socks are used to hold gifts, they are the children's favorite things. At night, they will hang their socks by the bed and wait for the next morning's reception.
Christmas hat
It's a red hat. It's said that in addition to sleeping safely and a little warm at night, you will find more gifts from your beloved in the hat the next day.
Christmas Hat Christmas decorations include Christmas trees decorated with Christmas decorations and Christmas lights, decorated with wreaths and evergreen plants indoors, especially holly and mistletoe, which are traditionally used materials. In North and South America and a few European regions, outdoor lighting has traditionally been used, including sleigh, snowman and other Christmas images decorated with lights. Holly and mistletoe are traditional materials. The city also supports Christmas decorations, hanging Christmas signs on the streets or placing Christmas trees in squares.
christmas tree
Christmas tree is one of the most famous traditions in Christmas celebration. Usually, people bring an evergreen plant such as pine into the house or outdoors around Christmas, and decorate it with Christmas lights and colorful decorations. And put an angel or a star on the top of the tree. An evergreen tree decorated with fir or pine trees as part of a Christmas celebration. The Christmas tree originated in Germany. A long time ago, Roman pagans decorated their houses with branches of evergreen trees, implying the reincarnation of life after the cold winter. By the 16th century, Germans began to decorate evergreen trees at home. By the end of the 19th century, European immigrants brought Christmas trees into American colonies and gradually spread them all over the world.
On December 24, Adam's and Eve's day, the Germans set up a fir tree (the tree of Eden) at home, and hung the biscuits on it to symbolize the holy bread (the symbol of Christian atonement). In modern times, all kinds of cookies were used instead of holy bread, and candles symbolizing Christ were often added. In addition, there is also a Christmas tower, which is a triangular structure of wood. There are many small frames for Christ statues. The tower is decorated with evergreen branches, candles and a star. By the 16th century, the Christmas tower and the Eden tree were merged into a Christmas tree.
What kind of tree is a Christmas tree? In fact, as long as it is a pine and cypress tree, evergreen tree and triangular tree, it can be used as a Christmas tree.
Christmas Windows
The Christmas window is also a beautiful scenery in Melbourne. Before Christmas, the window designers of the shop will use their brains to give full play to the theme of Christmas, and it will never coincide with the previous style. This is also the place where mothers are most willing to bring their children. Grandpa Christmas's mellow voice tells the breathtaking experience. The story is still that story, but the combination of sound, light and electricity is more vivid and interesting. Queuing is an unwritten rule in the Maya window tour. Outside the railings are people passing by in a hurry. Inside the railings are orderly visits. Each window has a few minutes of interpretation. In the lower left corner of each window is a rolling screen. The stories told in the stereo speakers can be displayed here. You can scan the QR code and download it.
Christmas ring
Western countries usually use green branches and leaves or rattan (pine wool, pine needles, etc.) and silver metal and gold bells with red ribbons to form the decorations hanging at the door of their homes during Christmas. The main colors of green, white, yellow and red represent the joy and celebration. The words "Merry Christmas" or "x \'mas" Christmas ring "were first appeared in Finland.