Christmas Day 2024

Is Christmas Day A Public Holiday?

Christmas, also abbreviated as X-Mas Day, is a public holiday in major parts of the world, and in countries such as India, the UK, USA, Canada and Australia celebrate this occasion on a massive scale. Hence, several government offices, public dealing sectors, banks, schools, colleges and universities remain closed on this occasion. Huge religious processions and parades can be seen on the roads with people happily dressed up as one of the Christmas symbols. Shopping malls, restaurants and cafes remain booked with people and their families, houses and public buildings are decorated and gifts are exchanged.

History and Origin of Christmas

Christmas history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance. Since the early 4th Century, the festival of Christmas has been observed by Christians, where the occasion does not mark the Nativity but the resurrection and baptism of the Christ. There is evidence of some Christians, notably aboriginals of Alexandria, opposing any kind of celebratory observance with regards to Christ’s birth. Around the 2nd Century, several dates were calculated for its observance, but Gospel narratives indicate no such evidence of Christ being born in the winters since it is mentioned by Luke that the shepherds were “keeping watch over their flocks by night”, which is understandably difficult in winters. However, Western Christians decided 25 December to be the day of massive observance. Although some Orthodox Churches celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December, there are some who still follow the Old or Julian Calendar. It is known that the Julian and Gregorian or New Calendar are 13 days apart.

Christmas Day Celebrations

The enactment of Nativity is a common sight on the day of Christmas in many Churches. It is the traditional narrative in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which describes the Christ being born to Mary, also known as Virgin Mary, in a stable in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary were his parents, who travelled to Bethlehem from Nazareth. It is believed that shepherds adored him and Angels came by to witness the miracle.
Christmas day celebrations are carried out on a massive scale, and continue even after the New Year. Delicious feasts are prepared, houses are decorated, Christmas trees, also called Xmas trees, are installed and decorated with ornaments, lights, bulbs, candies and much more. People exchange Christmas greetings and Christmas gifts, and wish for a prosperous life ahead. The day is marked special for kids, who wish for Santa Claus to come down their chimney, take a bite of the cookies and sip of the milk they have kept on the table and leave something special for them right beneath the Christmas tree. Christmas poems are also recited on this day by both children and adults to mark the religious significance of this auspicious day.

Santa Claus on Christmas

Paramony is the another name given to Christmas Eve as per the Byzantine Rite traditions. It is believed to be the day when Nativity Fast is concluded, which is why a day of strict fasting is observed by the Byzantine Christians. In some cultures, any kind of food is prohibited for consumption until the first star is visible in the evening. Biblical celebrations are carried out, during which verses from the Old Testament are recited, after which a new candle is lit at the centre of the church and hymns such as Kontakion and Troparion of the Feast are sung. Byzantine services for Christmas Eve are somewhat similar to that of Good Friday.

Christmas Eve Celebrations

Kids all over the world eagerly wait for their beloved Santa Claus, the epitome of happiness and prosperity on Christmas. In general, Santa Claus is depicted as a jolly-natured, white-bearded man with a huge belly dressed in red coat with white fur cuffs and collars, red hat, sometimes spectacles, red pants or trousers with white fur at the end and a huge, black belt across the belly. He is seen carrying a huge bag full of gifts for kids all around the world and riding a sleigh pulled by reindeers.
Santa Claus is believed to have his workshop established in the North Pole with elves helping him out and categorizing the gifts based on the behaviour of the kids. Even in today’s time kids believe in the existence of Santa Claus and eagerly wait for him to distribute gifts and candies to them, which in fact turns out to be their parents.

Christmas Tree & Decorations

It is believed that back in the time, Romans and Egyptians were the first ones to use evergreen trees, also known as Christmas Trees, whereas in modern times, it was in 16th Century Germany that Christmas Trees became popular. From that time till today, trees such as Coniferous, Fir or Pine are widely used and decorated with ornaments, ribbons, candies, bells, angles, socks, chocolates, electric stars and lights to represent the festivity during Christmas. People install these trees either in the living rooms of their houses, around the main entrances or in the backyards. Christmas decorations include illuminated lights, sleighs, Christmas figures, snowmen, garlands and much more. Such decorations add to the festive vibe and instill a sense of happiness and positivity within the hearts of people.

Christmas Greetings & Wishes

Below are some examples which you can use to exchange Christmas greetings and wishes with your loved ones:
“May this Christmas bring you the best gift you ever wished for. May it make way for a fresh and bright year ahead. Merry X-Mas”
“Love more, give more, celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas!”
“Count your blessings and share it with all. This will make the occasion beautiful like never before. Merry Christmas!”
“Christmas spells out Love, Hope, and Joy. Pass it on to everyone in your life. Have a great Christmas. Merry Christmas!”

Unknown Facts About Christmas Day

Below mentioned are some unknown facts about Christmas or X-Mas which will instill a sense of interest within you, and update you about various customs and Christmas traditions followed in the earlier times. Go ahead and give them a quick read:

• In the 16th Century, Christmas trees were decorated with nuts and fruits rather than bright lights and bulbs as we see today.
• Xmas is said to be the abbreviated form of Christmas, and based on the first letter Chi (X) in Greek, i.e. Khrīstos (Χριστός) or "Christ".
• The tradition of going door to door and singing carols is associated with Wassailing, an English tradition where people used to pay visits, sing and drink for good health and wealth in exchange for gifts.
• It is fascinating to find out that there’s nothing mentioned about the Christmas date, i.e. 25 December, in the Holy Bible. Historians believe that Christ was not born in the winters but spring. On the other hand, it is also believed that the date coincided with Saturnalia, a Pagan festival which honors Lord Saturn, the agriculture God.
• One of the interesting Christmas facts is that the famous Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was originally written to be performed on Thanksgiving Day.
• Celebrating Christmas between 1659 to 1681 was considered illegal, and anyone found celebrating this day or making merriment was fined.

These were some of the interesting Christmas facts you may have never known.

Christmas Day - Names in Other Languages

English:	Christmas Day
Serbian (cyrillic):	Божић
Serbian (latin):	Božić
Hindi:	क्रिसमस के दिन
French:	Noël
German:	Erster Weihnachtstag
Norwegian:	Første juledag
Norwegian (nynorsk):	Fyrste joledag
Hungarian:	Karácsony
Croatian:	Božić
Danish:	Juledag
Dutch:	Eerste Kerstdag
Greek:	Χριστούγεννα
Irish:	Lá Nollag
Portuguese:	Natal
Romanian:	Crăciunul
Spanish:	Navidad
Swedish:	Juldagen
Italian:	Natale
Chinese:	聖誕節
Russian:	Рождество
Russian (latin):	Rozhdestvo

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