Merry Christmas 2022: Know history, significance, and common rituals of this festival of joy

It is the season of “Jingle Bells”, “carols”, “gifts”, “cakes”, and “Santa Claus”. Christmas has finally arrived after a long wait. Celebrated on December 25 every year, Christmas shines as the festival of joy and happiness for Christians around the world. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ and is observed as a grand celebration by people belonging to different religions.

Here are the important facts related to Christmas

History

Jesus Christ was born on December 25, in Bethlehem to Joseph and Mother Mary. It is believed that Jesus was conceived through the holy spirit and was born when Mary was engaged to Joseph. Considered the son of God, Jesus is known for his priceless teachings that have formed the foundation of Christianity over time. Though the holy Bible does not provide a specific date for Jesus’ birth, Emperor Constantine declared December 25 as “Christmas” to acknowledge Christ’s birth every year. It traces its origins to Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor. Various countries call this festival by different names. It is addressed as Yuletide in Germany, Natale in Italian, Navidad in Spanish, etc.

Significance

Unlike for non-Christians, Christmas holds a lot of religious importance for people following Christianity. It is believed that on Christmas, the Almighty sent Jesus as a divine power to save people from falling into the grave of their sins. God sent his son to guide people toward the right path. The community organizes a mass service to remember Jesus Christ and the sacrifices he made for humanity. Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion and rise from the dead during the mass service.

Celebration and rituals

Christmas marks the start of the holiday season that ends with the New Year celebration worldwide. As per the traditions, Christmas celebrations start on December 24 which is known as Christmas Eve. Singing soulful carols in churches is one of the most beautiful memories of Christmas. Family gatherings, grand dinners, and gifts exchange form the true essence of this winter festival. People spend time with their closed ones while decorating the Christmas tree in their homes. Kids hang empty socks in their rooms to get gifts from Santa Claus.

FAQs:

Q1. What does a traditional Christmas dinner include?
Ans. A typical Christmas dinner includes stuffed turkey with mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and cranberry sauce. In deserts, people bake pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, and fruitcake.

Q2. What are some popular Christmas songs?
Ans. Some popular Christmas songs are “All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey”, “Mistletoe by Justin Bieber”, and “Christmas Tree by V of BTS”.