Christmas is the happy and colorful celebration that is held every year in the middle of the winter season; Decorated pine trees, lighted strings, a kind old man dressed in red, exciting gifts and the smell of hot gingerbread cookies… Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and every year millions of people around the world celebrate it as the beginning of the New Year. They celebrate. Stay with us for this article from tourism magazine fly todaylearn all about the Christmas celebration and its customs.
What does Christmas mean?
When talking about the important and attractive Christmas celebration, the question probably comes to your mind, where does the word Christmas come from and what does it mean? Christmas is one of the holiest days of the year for Christians and the birth of Jesus Christ. What has reached the current generation from this Christmas celebration is a combination of folklore and church customs, and it is more of an international celebration with a religious theme. Many people confuse the New Year celebration with the Christmas celebration, but these two celebrations are different. Christmas is a symbolic celebration to celebrate the birth of Christ, and New Year is the day of the end of the previous year and the beginning of the new year. The beginning of the new year is different in different cultures.
Where did the word Christmas come from?
The root of the word Christmas is the Mass on Christ's Day, which entered the Old English language for the first time in 1050 AD. According to the studies of some researchers, this word belongs to the 13th century AD, and before that, Christmas was called Yule.
The history of Christmas
Historically, studies show that the celebration of Christmas replaces the celebration of the birthday of the Invincible Sun, which was also called En Sol Invictus. This celebration was held before Christmas in the Roman Empire, but before replacing the Christmas celebration on December 17th, Saturnalia is celebrated. After the advent of Christianity, December 25 was considered due to the uncertainty of Jesus' birthday. For the first time in 221 AD, this ceremony is considered as the birthday of Christ.
All about Christmas
For many European peoples, such as Scandinavians, winter is considered a time of joy and celebration, and the celebration of the winter solstice is an excuse to appreciate the return of the sun and is a glorious precursor to approaching the spring season. At this time, the Scandinavian people would light a fire and gather around it and celebrate until the last piece of wood was burned, and they considered it very auspicious. With the advent of Christianity and the various conflicts of the followers of this religion, the celebration of Christmas and the way it was celebrated was a point of controversy for centuries until the modern America of the 19th century changed this celebration from a noisy carnival to a family-oriented celebration.
Is Christmas really the birth of Jesus Christ?
Christmas is a celebration based on Christian values, but since the date of Christ's birth is not completely clear and there are still many doubts regarding the time of his birth, Christmas Day is not the real day of Christ's birth. The more we look at the history of this celebration and its origin, we will realize that Christmas is not a completely religious celebration and was only an excuse for the equality of different parts of society and for families to be together.
Of course, this is still a big and important celebration and you can celebrate this important day wherever you are. With hotel reservation From Fly Today website and travel during Christmas, touch the beauty and attractions of this important celebration.
The difference between Christmas and New Year
Christmas is actually a celebration that Christians celebrate on the occasion of the birth of Christ. But New Year is a ceremony that is held on the occasion of the end of the previous year and the beginning of the new year. Therefore, contrary to what many people think, Christmas is different from New Year. But due to the symmetry of these two occasions, December 24th to January 2nd are considered Christmas days. Therefore, Christmas is celebrated during these days.
On what date is Christmas celebrated?
The ceremony is held on December 25 every year by Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians. This celebration lasts for 12 days and lasts until January 6. Christmas 2024 coincides with January 11, 1402. It is not bad to know that the Christians of some countries such as Ukraine and Russia celebrate the seventh day of January (January 17) as the real Christmas based on the Julian calendar. Also, some Christians consider Easter to be the most important Christian event, but for example, Christmas in America is considered more important than other holidays.
In which countries is Christmas?
The answer to this question can be seen in the efforts of the people of the countries that hold this ceremony. Most of the countries that tend to Christianity are the cradles of celebrating Christmas.
For Catholics and Protestants, December 25 is the beginning of Christmas, but Orthodox Christians and Christians of Russia, Palestine and Ukraine celebrate Christmas on January 7.
How is Christmas celebrated in different countries?
As you know, Christmas is celebrated in different countries according to their customs.
Australia” class=”wp-image-55651″ />Christmas customs in Australia
Christmas in Australia is celebrated in such a way that families get together on Christmas Eve and give gifts to children from Santa Claus. On Christmas day, families gather together and participate in various celebrations held on this occasion. Dancing and partying are the mainstays of New Year's celebrations.
Australians call the day after Christmas Boxing Day. This means that families celebrate on this day and give gifts as a token of thanks to vendors, shops, the postman or anyone who has helped them throughout the year. Americans call Boxing Day Black Friday. In addition, two important sports events, cricket and sailing, which are annual, are held in Melbourne and Sydney.
Christmas customs in England
Christmas is very popular for the British. The day before Christmas, families get ready to decorate and prepare the Christmas tree. After that, the children write letters to Santa Claus and express their wishes. Gifts to children from Santa Claus is one of the attractive parts of this celebration, which we have seen in many foreign animations.
France” class=”wp-image-55652″ />Christmas customs in France
Christmas for the French begins on December 5, when they celebrate the feast of Nicholas on this day. But on Christmas Day, church bells ring and people sing Noel's carols in French. Traditional Bouche Noel is one of the traditional French dishes that is cooked on the occasion of Christmas. Boche Noel is a cake filled with butter cream with a Yule logo.
Christmas in America
Americans attach great importance to Christmas. During these days, they visit and celebrate. You can see the Christmas tree in the homes of all Americans during this ceremony. Shopping, singing carols, donating greeting cards, baking Christmas cookies, hanging Christmas stockings, setting up Christmas markets, etc. are among the most important things that Americans do these days.
Christmas in China
Christmas is also very important to the Chinese. Although there are few Christians in China, the “Sheng Dan Jie” festival, which means the holy house festival, is celebrated. On this day, Chinese Christians decorate the Christmas tree, which is called the Light Tree, to prepare for the celebration.
What is Christmas like in Iran?
In Iran, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Famous symbols such as Christmas tree, Christmas gifts and stockings, Santa Claus, treats and treats, gingerbread, gingerbread, candy canes, Christmas cookies are found in every home. The cities of Tehran and Isfahan, which have Armenian neighborhoods, among other cities, have the most Christmas atmosphere. Jolfa neighborhood of Isfahan, Majidieh neighborhood, Narmak and Vanak neighborhood of Tehran are famous neighborhoods that you can enjoy visiting during Christmas.
Where did Santa Claus come from?
A kind old man with a warm smile wearing a red dress with white woolen cuffs and a red hat with a soft white tassel. With a bag full of gifts on his back, he rides a flying chariot pulled by several reindeer. This is the image of Santa Claus in all of our minds.
Santa Claus is the title of Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was one of those good people of the time, most of his life story is summed up in worship, help and kindness to people. On the other hand, a person named Santa Claus was a rich man who gave away all his possessions to the poor and needy.
By paying the dowries of the three daughters, Nicholas saved them from the unfortunate events that awaited them. He would put the coins in the sock and deliver it to them through the chimney of these girls' houses. The dowries of the two older daughters were prepared in this way until the father of the girls waited and finally met Nicholas. Although he asked the father of the girls not to reveal his identity, but after some time the man told the story of Nicholas to everyone.
From then on, people combined the personalities of these two people to create a character called Santa Claus, and whenever someone anonymously helped, they attributed it to Santa Claus. In this way, the composite character of Santa Claus entered the popular culture of the people and since then, it is mentioned in a colorful way every year on special days such as Christmas.
Customs that must be observed at Christmas
We all know something about Christmas. On this day, in every house, they decorate a fir or pine tree, eat special foods, wait for Santa Claus, and give each other gifts as a memorial. But the customs of celebrating Christmas are beyond these words. In the following, we will examine Christmas customs together.
Celebration of Advent and its rituals
Many Christians welcome Christmas from 4 weeks and 4 Sundays before Christmas by going to church and singing special religious music, fasting and lighting candles. During the festival of Advent, special rituals are performed and all churches are ready to receive people. In this celebration, candles with four lines engraved on them (symbolizing the four Sundays before Christmas) are lit from the night before Christmas and the remains are burned the next day.
Another interesting thing about Advent is the church decorations for this celebration, which completely change color to purple and blue. Of course, some churches decorate the church with sage color to honor Maryam.
Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations are completely unique and special; A design of mixing nature with beautiful human symbols. These decorations include the following:
Decorative balls: Green orbs are a symbol of nature, red orbs are a symbol of Christ's blood, and golden orbs are a symbol of wealth.
Ring behind the door: During these days, people hang a ring of plants and green heads behind their doors to remember the crown of Jesus Christ, hang socks from the fireplace to receive gifts from Santa Claus, place a tree in memory of their ancestors in a corner of the house and leave a gift for their loved ones at the foot of it.
Christmas tree: One of the most important customs that must be followed in the Christmas celebration, and most of us are familiar with it, is decorating the Christmas tree. Since the tree is one of the important and evergreen symbols of this celebration,
Evergreen trees such as pine are used for Christmas trees. The Christmas tree is decorated with colored glass balls, string lights, green and red ribbons, candy canes and gingerbread cookies and a single star as a symbol of the birth of Christ. There is no information about when and by whom the Christmas tree was used for the first time, but in any case, this tree is never removed from the special decorations of this celebration.
Christmas carol
Christmas is a holiday full of music; Religious hymns written by archbishops or modern music written in its honor by the new generation. Jingle Bells, Veni redemptor gentium (I am the savior) or Corde natus ex Parentis (born from the heart of the family) are some of the most famous Christmas carols.
Traditional Christmas Eve dishes
We come to the delicious part of Christmas food and treats. The foods that are present in Christmas celebrations vary from country to country, but foods and sweets such as gingerbread, fruit cake, pudding, cookies, a dessert called Bûche de Noël, Turkey food, eggnog bread. ) and candy canes are very popular.
Christmas gifts
At Christmas, everyone gives gifts to their loved ones according to their wishes. Of course, from a more traditional point of view, we should say that giving things like bread, mint and gold as Christmas gifts is considered very auspicious.
Show the birth of Christ
One of the other things that is part of the customs of the Christmas celebration; It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In this show, which is mostly performed in countries such as Spain, Germany, Mexico and France, they recreate the scene of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Strange superstitions at Christmas
There are many interesting stories about Christmas. Some of them are superstitions and others are interesting stories to hear. In the following, we will read some of the most interesting stories and superstitions about this celebration.
- If someone is born on Christmas Day; He will be a very very lucky person.
- Don't put up Christmas decorations before the twelfth! Otherwise, bad luck will be with you until the end of the year.
- Don't give shoes to someone on Christmas Day because they might leave you with the same shoes!
- One of the strange customs of Christmas in different countries is that if you want to spend a great year, on Christmas day, say loudly to every house you visit: Hello Father Christmas!
- Eat an apple the night before Christmas and be healthy for the whole year.
- On Christmas Eve, keep a house plant. By doing this, evil spirits and witches will stay away from you.
- On the night before Christmas, light a candle and do not let it go out until the day of the celebration because it is a bad omen.
Strange Christmas customs in different countries
Along with the different customs that people of different countries have, some strange customs are more visible. Of course, these customs are different in each country, which you will learn about below:
Ukraine: The use of spider webs on the Christmas tree is a symbol of happiness and wealth. Based on old stories, a legendary spider spins a web in a poor person's house, and when they wake up the morning after Christmas, all the webs are gold.
Iceland: The Yule coat is a cat that wanders in the winter and looks for those who have not bought Eid clothes. Therefore, it is important to buy Eid clothes in this country.
Austria: In this country, Santa Claus is contrary to the notion that he is a kind old man, in this country, Santa Claus is a character who punishes children who have been bad throughout the year.
Spain: Teonadal wooden dolls made from tree stumps are placed in homes and children believe that Teonadal has brought them a Christmas present.
Japan: Unlike people in other countries, the Japanese serve fried chicken instead of turkey or any other food.
South Africa: In this country, people eat fried silkworms on Christmas Day.
Italy: In this country, instead of Santa Claus, a witch named Bifana gives gifts to children. If the children are good throughout the year, they get sweets and gifts, but if they are bad, they are given coal.
Wish you…
Christmas is now a celebration without borders and an excuse to be happy and together. In this celebration, equality waves and life will warmly greet everyone. They say that Christmas Eve wishes come true; So, wherever you are, wish the earth, peace and a bright tomorrow. Christmas celebrations are held all over the world, including Iran, and you can experience Christmas differently than ever by traveling during the Christmas holidays.
Do you celebrate Christmas? Share your experience with us.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas
1. On what day will Christmas 2024 be celebrated?
Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25. In 2024, this event coincides with 4D 1402.
2. What is Christmas like in Iran?
In the days leading up to Christmas, many Iranian Christians and Armenians are also trying to celebrate Christmas, and if you visit the Christian neighborhoods of your city during these days, these neighborhoods have a very attractive Christmas atmosphere.
3. In which countries is Christmas celebrated?
Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians around the world, in whatever country they live, celebrate this important event every year.
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