The History of Christmas

Christmas is celebrated every year on December 25 by Christians around the world as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, Christmas is also a huge cultural holiday filled with Christmas trees, lights, presents, Santa Claus, music, family dinners, church services, cookies, decorations, and traditions that vary from family to family. But Christmas did not begin with decorated trees and presents under them. Its history developed over many centuries, bringing together Christian faith, older winter customs, European traditions, and eventually modern American culture. It Begins With the Birth of Jesus The Christian meaning of Christmas comes from the birth of Jesus, described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament. According to the biblical accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary. Luke describes Mary placing the newborn Jesus in a manger because there was no suitable room available for them. Angels announced his birth to shepherds, who came to see him. Matthew tells another part of the story. Magi, sometimes called the Wise Men, followed a star and eventually visited Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For Christians, this was much more than the birth of a child. Jesus is believed to be the Messiah and Son of God, making his birth one of the central events of Christianity. Was Jesus Actually Born on December 25? Here is where the history gets interesting. The Bible does not give a date for Jesus' birth. Early Christians did not initially celebrate Christmas as one of their major annual holidays. Their religious observances focused especially on the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was centuries later that December 25 became established as the date for celebrating his birth. By the fourth century, Christians in Rome were observing the Nativity on December 25. Why that particular date was chosen is still debated by historians. One explanation connects it with Roman winter festivals and celebrations surrounding the winter solstice. Another Christian explanation involves ancient calculations that placed Jesus' conception on March 25. Nine months later is December 25. Whatever the exact reason, December 25 eventually became the traditional Christmas date throughout much of Christianity. Some Eastern Christian churches still celebrate Christmas on a different civil date because of differences between calendars and religious traditions. Where Did the Word Christmas Come From? The word Christmas comes from an old expression meaning "Christ's Mass." Over time, the words joined together and eventually became the word we use today. So even the name of the holiday points directly back to its Christian origins. What About Christmas Trees? Decorated evergreen trees came much later. Evergreen plants had been used in winter celebrations in different cultures long before the modern Christmas tree existed. Because evergreens remained green through winter, they naturally became symbols of life during the darkest part of the year. The Christmas tree tradition as we recognize it developed particularly in German-speaking parts of Europe. Families began bringing trees into their homes and decorating them. The tradition eventually spread across Europe and North America. During the 1800s, Christmas trees became increasingly popular in Britain and the United States. Eventually ornaments, candles, and later electric Christmas lights transformed the tree into one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas. And humanity has been untangling Christmas lights ever since. 😂 How Did Saint Nicholas Become Santa Claus? Santa's story has its roots in a real Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas, who lived during the fourth century. Nicholas became famous in Christian tradition for generosity and secretly giving gifts to people in need, particularly children and poor families. Stories about Saint Nicholas spread throughout Europe. Dutch tradition called him Sinterklaas. When Dutch customs reached America, Sinterklaas gradually became Santa Claus. During the 1800s, American poems, stories, illustrations, and advertisements helped transform Santa into the familiar character we recognize today: a cheerful man traveling by sleigh, delivering presents to children on Christmas Eve. Later popular culture helped establish his red suit, North Pole workshop, elves, and other familiar details. So Santa didn't appear overnight. He is the result of centuries of stories and traditions evolving together. Why Do We Give Christmas Presents? Gift giving has several historical influences. For Christians, gifts can remind them of the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi and of God's gift of Jesus to humanity. Saint Nicholas traditions also encouraged giving, particularly generosity toward children and people in need. Other European winter celebrations included exchanging gifts as well. Eventually these traditions blended into the Christmas gift giving we know today. Christmas Comes to America Christmas in early America was surprisingly complicated. Different groups had very different opinions about the holiday. Some Christian communities celebrated it enthusiastically, while some Puritans rejected Christmas celebrations because they believed many popular customs had no biblical basis. Christmas was even prohibited for a period in parts of colonial New England. Over time, attitudes changed. During the 1800s, Christmas became increasingly centered around family, children, generosity, charity, religious observance, meals, decorations, and gift giving. Writers also influenced how people imagined Christmas. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, helped popularize themes of generosity, compassion, family, and caring for people in need. By the late 19th century, many of the traditions associated with modern American Christmas were firmly established. Christmas became a U.S. federal holiday in 1870. Christmas Today Today, Christmas is both a deeply religious celebration and a major cultural holiday. For Christians, the heart of Christmas remains the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For other families, Christmas may be primarily a cultural celebration centered around family, generosity, traditions, food, decorations, and spending time together. And America being America, families have added traditions from all over the world. Christmas dinner might include ham or turkey in one home, tamales in another, seafood in another, and rice, beans, pasta, dumplings, or dishes passed down through generations somewhere else. Some families attend church on Christmas Eve. Some open presents Christmas morning. Some celebrate on Christmas Eve. Some leave cookies for Santa. Some travel across the country just to sit around the same table. And some spend December 24 realizing they forgot batteries for the child's new toy. 😂 The traditions may look different, but many of them return to similar ideas: Faith. Family. Generosity. Kindness. Hope. Peace. And being together. For Christians, Christmas carries an even deeper message beneath all the lights and presents: A child was born in Bethlehem, and his life would change the history of the world.

This date is shown automatically on every calendar — a specific school or district can mark itself open or closed for this holiday from its own settings.