Christmas Definition

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What Is Christmas: Understanding the History and Origin


Christmas is so full of wonder, meaning and tradition. But, where did all these things that we now call "Christmas" come from? Let's briefly sketch the origin and development of what we now celebrate as Christ's birth.


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What is Christmas and When Did it Start?

Christmas is the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25 in the Western Church. The traditional date of December 25 goes back as far as A.D. 273. Two pagan festivals honoring the sun were also celebrated on that day and it is possible that December 25 was chosen to counteract the influence of paganism. To this day some people feel uncomfortable with Christmas because they think it is somehow tainted by the pagan festivals held on that day. But Christians have long believed that the gospel not only transcends culture, it also transforms it. In A.D. 320 one theologian answered this criticism by noting, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”

6 Ways to Make Christmas about Jesus

  • Give a gift to Jesus.
  • Like Christ, give to those who can't repay you.
  • Pause to sense the darkness outside at night, and then thank God for sending the light.
  • Read the Scriptures to your family.
  • Start some traditions that point to Christ.
  • Enjoy this wonderful time of the year.


Christmas quotes and images






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