Celebrating Christmas

Christmas is celebrated around the world by Western Christians on 25 December, to honour the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy and togetherness, celebrated by millions of people around the world. In recent years, Christmas has grown beyond its religious roots, becoming a cherished time for family, generosity and festive traditions that unite people of all backgrounds in the spirit of love and hope.

History and Significance

The story of Jesus’ birth is told in the Gospels, primarily in Matthew chapters 1 and 2 and Luke chapter 1. These accounts of Christ's birth form the foundation of the Christian celebration of Christmas. While the exact origins of Christmas as a holiday as well as Jesus' actual birth date are debated, by the fourth century CE, Christians in Rome had begun observing the day to honour Christ’s birth. This celebration aligned with the existing Roman winter solstice festival, Saturnalia.* Over the years, traditions and rituals merged to form the festival many of us recognise today.

Christmas is a significant date in the Christian calendar it is the penultimate festival during the season of Advent. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and this is a time where Christians reflect on how the Old Testament, the prophets, John the Baptist and Mary anticipate and prepare the way for the birth of Jesus.†

Traditions and Rituals

Christmas traditions and rituals change depending on where it is celebrated. Listed below are some traditions and rituals that are associated with Christmas:

• Midnight Mass - Worshippers around the world attend Midnight Mass service to usher in Christmas Day.
• Christmas Carols - From spiritual hymns to commercial music, there are many cherished songs that are sung or played throughout the Christmas period.
• St Nicholas, Santa Claus and gift giving - The tradition of gift giving on Christmas was a tradition that came from the Feast day of St Nicholas. Today, the more commonly known story of Santa Claus who delivers gifts to children all over the world by riding on a sleigh led by reindeers, is a commercialised and secularised version of Christmas.
• Christmas Tree - A tradition that has its origins in pagan rituals and more recently in 16th century Germany where evergreen trees were brought into the homes to be decorated to brighten spaces during the cold winter months in Europe. This tradition has continued with iconic trees such as the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York.
• Christmas Markets - Christmas markets have their origins in thirteenth century Europe where merchants would sell their wares during the advent season. Today, Christmas markets are visited by people all over the world, but particularly in Europe where you will find mulled wine, crafts and delicious food to keep warm during the colder days.
• Nativity displays - Believers set up the nativity scene to honour and celebrate the birth of Christ. In the Polish city of Kraków, Szopka is a nativity display which incorporates the beautiful buildings of Kraków. Szopka was inducted into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018.
• Christmas meals - From the comforting beetroot soup Barszcz Wigilijny in Poland, the savoury cassava dish Farofa from Brazil and the Panettone from Italy, there are many special meals and treats that are prepared for Christmas which are cherished by people all over the world. To learn more about other traditional cuisines please click here.
• Australian Christmas - Most Christmas traditions are associated with the Northern Hemisphere winter. In Australia and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas coincides with the warmer season of Summer. Traditional Australian Christmas include seafood like prawns, a glazed ham and backyard cricket.

References

* 'How Christmas has evolved over centuries' National Geographic

†'What is Advent? Advent season signals the lead-up to Christmas, but do you know what Advent means in the Christian tradition?' Trinity College, The University of Melbourne

'A Brief History of Christmas Markets', Smithsonian Magazine

'Nativity scene (szopka) tradition in Krakow', UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

'A brief history of Christmas carols', English Heritage

'Origins of the historical ‘Santa Claus’', The University of Queensland

'What is the true meaning of Christmas?', Trinity College, The University of Melbourne

'The Christmas tree: From pagan origins and Christian symbolism to secular status', Australian Broadcast Corporation