What You May Not Really Know About Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, and the dazzling trees, merry songs and festive atmosphere have all become very familiar. But do you really know everything about Christmas?

The origins of Christmas

Christmas goes by many names, such as Noel, Christmas, X-Mas and the Nativity. Whatever the name, it is an international holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus was born sometime between 7 and 2 BC in Bethlehem in Judea, in the land of the Jews. According to the Jews, Jesus was sent down by God to save and bless humankind.

Christmas began as a celebration among Christians, but today it is considered a major international holiday around the world.

When Christmas is celebrated

Christmas is officially celebrated on December 25 every year. But according to the Jewish calendar, the proper time to begin the celebration is at sunset on December 24, not midnight. December 25 is "Christmas Day Mass", while the night of the 24th is called the "Vigil", which draws more people.

The meaning of Christmas

Everyone surely knows that, in Christianity, Christmas celebrates the coming of Jesus into the world. But the holiday also means reunion, when every generation of the family gathers together. During this time, family members show their affection, create memories and keep their bonds strong.

Christmas is also seen as a holiday for children, when people pray on Christmas Eve for children's wishes to come true. Above all, Christmas carries the message of peace: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men." These are the words the angels sang to announce the coming of Jesus, the Savior, and Christmas is also a day to empathize and share with those who are struggling, abandoned, lonely or sick.

The meaning of the names Xmas and Christmas

Christmas gets its name from two words: "Christ", the title of Jesus, and "Mas", short for Mass, meaning a holy service. So Christmas means the feast of Jesus Christ, or the celebration of Jesus' birth.

As for Xmas, it comes from Greek: Christ is written Christos, which begins with the letter X (Xristos, or Χριστός), so people use X as a symbol for Christ and add "mas" to form Xmas. 

The meaning of common Christmas symbols

Why does a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus feature Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stars and presents? Here are the answers.

The meaning of Santa Claus at Christmas

Santa Claus is one of the most familiar symbols of Christmas: an old man in a red suit trimmed with white, a black leather belt, a long white beard and a red hat, with a friendly smile, a hearty "ho ho ho" and a big belly. 

In fact, Santa Claus is the embodiment of Saint Nicholas, a saint of boundless kindness. As Christmas is a holiday of peace and kindness, his image has always been its symbol.

The meaning of giving gifts at Christmas

In Western countries, before December 25 the whole family gathers together and takes out the gifts they've prepared and placed under the Christmas tree to give to one another. Giving gifts at Christmas is simply a way to show love for each other and wish each other a warm, blessed holiday.

In Vietnam, people also give cards with heartfelt wishes to family and friends at Christmas, while Catholics hold big feasts and invite relatives and friends to celebrate together and wish each other a happy holiday.

The meaning of Christmas stars

At Christmas you can't miss the five-pointed star that usually hangs on top of the Christmas tree or sparkles in all colors in front of houses. The Christmas star has a very special meaning. Legend has it that when Jesus was born, a brilliant star appeared in the sky, so bright that its light could be seen from hundreds of miles away.

At that time, in the distant lands of Syria and Iran, three kings received a revelation that if they followed the light of this star they would surely witness a miracle, which became known as the Feast of the Three Kings. The three kings followed the starlight until they reached Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. There they knelt before him and offered him gifts and treasures.

That's why, to this day, the star remains a symbol of Christmas and is displayed in the most prominent places in churches. People believe that hanging a star at this time of year brings the hope that God's miracles will come to their family.

The meaning of sending Christmas cards

Cards are an essential part of Christmas. In ancient Rome and Egypt, people used to send each other New Year greetings carved on pieces of wood.

Then in 1843 in England, Sir Henry Cole, who didn't have much time to write letters at Christmas and also wanted to help develop the postal system, created cards to send to his colleagues. Thousands of cards were printed and sold that year as Christmas gifts. That's how the custom of exchanging cards and good wishes every Christmas began.

The meaning of decorating the Christmas tree

The Christmas tree is an essential symbol of Christmas; just seeing one makes the holiday feel livelier and merrier. According to legend, December 24 was considered the day of the Sun's rebirth. At that time of year most plants wither, yet the pine stays green. 

So for the Romans, the pine was a symbol of resurrection. Since then, every Christmas, families have decorated their trees splendidly, hanging ornaments and cards on the branches and placing the gifts they've prepared for each other underneath.

Clearly, Christmas is one of the most eagerly awaited times of the year, a happy day for everyone to reunite and exchange gifts and warm wishes. Christmas is drawing near, so why wait? Start planning now and join in the festive spirit!

Hà.R (Compiled)