History of Christmas: Why 25 December, and How the World Celebrates
For many of us, the season of love and joy is also a fresh start. Behind the lights and the gifts sits a long story, and the history of Christmas is what we want to share with you today.
Christmas is one of the most important festivals for Christians, both in faith and in the heart. That is why the celebrations are so big, and why so many stories have grown around it over the centuries.
So where does this special day come from, and why does it matter? We have gathered the essentials for you in this article.
Christmas summary
- Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, and celebrations begin on the evening of 24 December.
- The earliest document placing the birth on 25 December is the Chronograph of 354, in a part written in Rome in AD 336.
- The English word comes from Old English Crīstesmæsse, recorded in 1038.
- In Thailand, 25 December is not a public holiday, but it is widely celebrated.
Want to bring a little of this story home? Our handmade cotton Christmas ornaments, designed in Thailand, add a soft and cosy touch to your tree.
The History of Christmas, from Bethlehem to Rome
The Birth of Jesus: Why We Open Gifts on the Morning of 25 December
As many of you know, Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God. That is why the celebration is more than one day: Christians begin on the night of 24 December, rejoicing before the birth on the following morning.
The Gospel of Luke (chapter 2) tells the story. A census was ordered under Caesar Augustus, so Joseph and the expecting Mary travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There was no guest room for them, and the baby was laid in a manger.
For Christians, Jesus is the most precious gift the world has received. From this faith comes the custom of giving and opening presents on the morning of 25 December.
The night itself has deep roots too. A midnight vigil at Bethlehem was described around 381, and the custom reached Rome around 430.
Why 25 December?
The Bible gives no date for the birth. The earliest document placing it on 25 December is the Chronograph of 354, which records Jesus as "born in Bethlehem of Judea". That part was written in Rome in AD 336.
The same document also names 25 December as the birthday of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun. A Roman sun festival, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, was held on that day from AD 274. Some historians see a link between the two celebrations; this remains a theory they still discuss.
Tradition credits Pope Julius I (337 to 352) with setting the date, and AD 336 is often cited as the first recorded Christmas.
Where the Word Christmas Comes From
The English word joins "Christ" and "Mass". It first appears in Old English as Crīstesmæsse, recorded in 1038, and as Cristes-messe in 1131.
Christmas Traditions: the Advent Wreath and Silent Night
The Advent wreath began in Hamburg in 1839. Johann Hinrich Wichern set a cartwheel with 24 small red candles and 4 large white ones, to count the days until Christmas.
The carol Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, near Salzburg, Austria. The words are by Joseph Mohr and the music by Franz Xaver Gruber.
Who Is Santa Claus?
The kind old man in red with a white beard and a sack of gifts grew out of Saint Nicholas, remembered as one of the kindest saints. The Dutch called him Sinterklaas, and in America the name became Santa Claus.
We tell his whole story in our article on the real story behind Santa Claus.
The Christmas stocking comes from a story about Saint Nicholas: a coin he dropped down the chimney fell into a stocking left to dry by the fireplace.
How the World Celebrates Christmas: USA, UK, Australia and Beyond
Every year the celebrations are grand, especially in countries where Christianity is the main religion, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Each place adds its own customs.
In Germany, Dresden's Striezelmarkt has run since 1434. In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi is a series of 9 pre-dawn Masses from 16 to 24 December, kept since 1669.
In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday, yet a 1970s campaign turned KFC at Christmas into a popular custom.
The Most Beautiful Cities to Celebrate Christmas
If you are planning a trip, or simply looking for a magical place to spend the season, here are the cities we would not want you to miss.
10 Cities to Visit at Christmas
- New York City, USA: a city that celebrates Christmas on a scale few places in the world can match.
- Bethlehem, West Bank: the birthplace of Jesus, worth seeing at least once.
Credit: http://www.bethlehem-city.org/- Lapland, Finland: if you dream of waking up to Santa Claus everywhere, Finland is your paradise.
- Vatican City: a place to fulfil a lifelong Christmas dream.
- Prague, Czech Republic: one of the most romantic cities in the world, impossible to leave off this list.
Credit: prague.fm- Dublin, Ireland: a city where the festivities last 12 days.
Credit: dublinatchristmas.ie- London, England: in London, the fun never stops.
Credit: visitlondon.com- Zurich, Switzerland: chocolate, mountains and snow. Need we say more?
Credit: provin.ch- Vienna, Austria: known as one of the best cities to visit at Christmas.
Credit: czech-transport.com- Strasbourg, France: often chosen as a setting for Christmas films, and a shame to miss.
Credit: lutheranworld.orgChristmas in Thailand
In Thailand, 25 December is not a public holiday, but Christmas is widely celebrated, with lights, decorations and gifts across the country's shops and streets.
To join in, see our guide to the top Christmas markets in Bangkok, or find out where to buy Christmas ornaments in Thailand.
Christians made up 1.13% of the population in the 2018 pilot census by the National Statistical Office. For most people here, Christmas is a joyful season of sharing, decorating and giving.
Christmas FAQ
What is Christmas?
Christmas is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. Celebrations begin on the evening of 24 December and continue on 25 December.
Why is Christmas on 25 December?
The Bible gives no date. The earliest document placing the birth on 25 December is the Chronograph of 354, in a part written in Rome in AD 336. Tradition credits Pope Julius I with setting the date.
Is Christmas a public holiday in Thailand?
No. 25 December is not a public holiday in Thailand, but Christmas is widely celebrated.
Where does the word Christmas come from?
It comes from Old English Crīstesmæsse, "Christ's Mass", recorded in 1038, then Cristes-messe in 1131.
We hope this little journey through the history of Christmas brings some extra meaning to your season. If you would like to dress your tree with our cotton ornaments, just say hello, we are always happy to help.