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[[Image:Parmigianino Virgin with Child.jpg|right|thumb|The Holy Virgin with her Child]]

[[Image:Christmas market in Nuremberg.jpg|right|thumb|The Christmas market in Nuremberg.]]

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus. The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ's [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the Russian and Ukrainian churches, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus]], since at least [[AD]] 336.<ref name="Hillerbrand 1998 p909">{{cite web | last=Hillerbrand | first=Hans J. | title=Origin, Definition, Traditions, History, & Facts | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=1998-07-20 | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas | access-date=2023-12-24}}</ref> The word "Christmas" comes from "[[Christ]]'s [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the [[Russia]]n church, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

The Bible does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. The holiday is exactly nine months following [[Annunciation]] on March 25. On the Roman calendar, March 25 was marked as the spring equinox while December 25 was considered the date of the winter solstice. Christmas is often connected to pagan festivals such as Yule, especially by those who oppose Christian traditions. However, the symbolism of a solstice date appealed to the Church Fathers for reasons unrelated to the various pagan festivals that were celebrated at this time of year.  

The [[Bible]] does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. The holiday is exactly nine months following [[Annunciation]] on March 25. On the Roman calendar, March 25 was marked as the spring equinox while December 25 was considered the date of the winter solstice. Christmas is often connected to pagan festivals such as Saturnalia or Yule, especially by those who oppose Christian traditions. However, the symbolism of a solstice date appealed to the Church Fathers for reasons unrelated to any pagan festival.  

In Western countries, during the [[Advent]] of Christmas season, and before the arrival of Christmas Day, people in anticipatory celebration generally hang up colored lights, place a [[Christmas tree]] (typically an evergreen conifer tree) in their house, sing [[carol]]s, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the magi and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as gift to mankind from [[God]]. Most towns and cities do this on an elaborate scale in public places, putting a large tree in the public square, and hanging large arrangements of lights with Christmas themed designs over the streets weeks before Christmas Day, removing the tree within a few days or the week following Christmas Day and safely discarding it, often leaving the other forms of public decoration and display in place for weeks afterward, even to the end of January.

During [[Advent]], people hang up colored lights, place a [[Christmas tree]] (typically an evergreen conifer tree) in their house, sing [[carol]]s, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the magi and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as gift to mankind from [[God]]. Most towns and cities do this on an elaborate scale in public places, putting a large tree in the public square, and hanging large arrangements of lights with Christmas themed designs over the streets weeks before Christmas Day, removing the tree within a few days or the week following Christmas Day and safely discarding it, often leaving the other forms of public decoration and display in place for weeks afterward, even to the end of January.

==History==

==History==

[[File:Santa Claus 1.jpg|right|thumb|Santa Claus]]

[[Image:Parmigianino Virgin with Child.jpg|right|thumb|The Holy Virgin with her Child]]

===Biblical basis===

===Biblical basis===

The story of the birth of Christ is told in the opening chapters of the [[Gospel of Luke]] and the [[Gospel of Matthew]]. Each contains different elements of the Christmas story. The visit of the [[Archangel]] to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus in a [[manger]] are from Luke. The story of the [[Star of Bethlehem]] and the visit from the magi bringing gifts of "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" are from Matthew.

The story of the birth of Christ is told in the opening chapters of the [[Gospel of Luke]] and the [[Gospel of Matthew]]. Each contains different elements of the Christmas story. The visit of the [[Archangel]] to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus in a [[manger]] are from Luke. The story of the [[Star of Bethlehem]] and the visit from the magi bringing gifts of "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" are from Matthew.

====The solstice and the calendar====

====The solstice and the calendar====

On the Roman calendar, December 25 was the date of the winter solstice, called ''bruma'' in Latin.<ref>Roll, Susan K. (1995). ''Toward the Origins of Christmas.'' Peeters Publishers. p. 87. ISBN 9789039005316.<br/>Bradt, Hale, ''Astronomy Methods: A Physical Approach to Astronomical Observations,'' (2004), p. 69.</ref> The [[Julian Calendar]] was designed by Sosigenes of Alexandria and introduced to Rome by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. Sosigenes intended March 25 to be the date of the equinox. The Julian calendar has a leap year, or additional day, every four years, and thus an average year of 365.25 days. The astronomical solar year is 365.242 days, so the equinoxes and solstices "drift" by three days every four hundred years. The [[Gregorian calendar]], instituted in 1582, reestablished the calendar alignment as it was at the time of the Council of Nicaea in 325. By modern calculations, the equinox is on March 21 or 22 and the solstice is December 21 or 22.

On the Roman calendar, December 25 was the date of the winter solstice, called ''bruma'' in Latin.<ref>Roll, Susan K. (1995). ''Toward the Origins of Christmas.'' Peeters Publishers. p. 87. ISBN 9789039005316.<br/>Bradt, Hale, ''Astronomy Methods: A Physical Approach to Astronomical Observations,'' (2004), p. 69.</ref> The [[Julian Calendar]] was designed by Sosigenes of Alexandria and introduced to Rome by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. Sosigenes intended March 25 to be the date of the equinox. The Julian calendar has a leap year, or additional day, every four years, and thus an average year of 365.25 days. The astronomical solar year is 365.242 days, so the equinoxes and solstices "drift" by three days every four hundred years. The [[Gregorian calendar]], instituted in 1582, reestablished the calendar alignment as it was at the time of the Council of Nicaea in 325. By modern calculations, the equinox is on March 21 or 22 and the solstice is on December 21 or 22.

====Sextus Julius Africanus====

====Sextus Julius Africanus====

====Isaac Newton====

====Isaac Newton====

Although Englishman [[Isaac Newton]] is best-known for his scientific work, he also wrote extensively on religious subjects. Like Augustine, Newton connected the date of Christmas to the solstice: {{cquote|The times of the Birth and Passion of Christ, with such like niceties, being not material to religion, were little regarded by the Christians of the first age. They who began first to celebrate them, placed them in the cardinal periods of the year; as the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, on the 25th of March, which when Julius Cæsar corrected the Calendar was the vernal Equinox; the feast of John Baptist on the 24th of June, which was the summer Solstice; the feast of St. Michael on Sept. 29, which was the autumnal Equinox; and the birth of Christ on the winter Solstice, Decemb. 25.<ref>Newton, Isaac, ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16878/16878-h/16878-h.htm Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John]'', "Chap. XI. Of the Times of the Birth and Passion of Christ," 1733.</ref>}}

Although Englishman [[Isaac Newton]] (l. 1642–1726/27) is best-known for his scientific work, he also wrote extensively on religious subjects. Like Augustine, Newton connected the date of Christmas to the solstice: {{cquote|The times of the Birth and Passion of Christ, with such like niceties, being not material to religion, were little regarded by the Christians of the first age. They who began first to celebrate them, placed them in the cardinal periods of the year; as the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, on the 25th of March, which when Julius Cæsar corrected the Calendar was the vernal Equinox; the feast of John Baptist on the 24th of June, which was the summer Solstice; the feast of St. Michael on Sept. 29, which was the autumnal Equinox; and the birth of Christ on the winter Solstice, Decemb. 25.<ref>Newton, Isaac, ''[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16878/16878-h/16878-h.htm Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John]'', "Chap. XI. Of the Times of the Birth and Passion of Christ," 1733.</ref>}}

===Introduction of the feast===

===Introduction of the feast===

===Post-Reformation===

===Post-Reformation===

In the United States, the image of [[Santa Claus]] (i.e. Saint Nicholas) and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Christmas was declared a national holiday by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870. In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in [[The Netherlands]], Santa Claus is shown in a [[bishop]]'s miter. In some countries, Saint Nicholas is not associated with the holiday at all; for example, in [[Spain]] it is the magi who bring gifts to children, and in [[Hawaii]] it is the jolly native Kamaunamauna. However, the tradition of Christmas gift-giving is prevalent in all cultures.

In the United States, the image of [[Santa Claus]] (i.e. Saint Nicholas) and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Christmas was declared a national holiday by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870. In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in [[The Netherlands]], Santa Claus is shown in a [[bishop]]'s miter. In some countries, Saint Nicholas is not associated with the holiday at all; for example, in [[Spain]] it is the magi who bring gifts to children, and in [[Hawaii]] it is the jolly native Kamaunamauna. However, the tradition of Christmas gift-giving is prevalent in all cultures.

==Rejection==

==Rejection==

Some Christian churches, sects, and communities reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons. Christian sects that don't celebrate Christmas include [[Jehovah's Witnesses]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/.htm |title=Jehovah's Witness on Christmas |publisher= www.jw.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> [[Armstrongism|Armstrongites]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3___tE12R0|title=Christmas Unveiled—What God Says!|accessdate=December 30, 2017}}</ref> some adherents of [[Messianic Judaism]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.christianpost.com/news/messianic-judaism-the-followers-of-christ-who-do-not-celebrate-christmas-64328/ |title= Messianic Judaism: The Followers of Christ Who Do Not Celebrate Christmas |work= The Christian Post |date= 8 December 2011 |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> most [[Sabbath in seventh-day churches|Sabbatarian]] denominations, such as the [[True Jesus Church]] and the [[General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day)|Church of God (7th-Day)]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/FAQs.html |title= Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |publisher= churchofgod-7thday.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> the [[Iglesia ni Cristo]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.iglesianicristowebsite.com/Pages/7-faq-answers.html |title= All About Iglesia ni Cristo: Frequently Asked Questions |publisher= iglesianicristowebsite.com |accessdate=1 January 2013}}</ref> the [[Christian Congregation in Brazil]]; the [[Christian Congregation in the United States]]; certain [[Reformed churches|reformed]] and [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] churches of various persuasions, including some [[Independent Baptists]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libcfl.com/articles/becker2.htm|title=The Truth about Christmas|first=Greg|last=Wilson|publisher=}}</ref> [[Holiness movement|Holiness Christians]], [[Oneness Pentecostalism|Oneness Pentecostals]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prime.org/|title=Jesus Name Apostolic Holiness Church - Oneness Pentecostal|publisher=}}</ref> Amish-Mennonites, and Churches of Christ congregations.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tjc.org/showArticle.aspx?aid=7219 |title= Is Christmas Biblical? |publisher= tjc.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.christianchronicle.org/article/christ-in-christmas-churches-of-christ-and-the-holiday-season?A=SearchResult&SearchID=4375144&ObjectID=4364696&ObjectType=35|title= 'Christ' in Christmas?: Churches of Christ and the Holiday Season |work= [[Christian Chronicle]] |accessdate= 22 January 2017}}</ref>

Some Christian churches, sects, and communities reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons. Christian sects that don't celebrate Christmas include [[Jehovah's Witnesses]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/.htm |title=Jehovah's Witness on Christmas |publisher= www.jw.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> [[Armstrongism|Armstrongites]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3___tE12R0|title=Christmas Unveiled—What God Says!|accessdate=December 30, 2017}}</ref> some adherents of [[Messianic Judaism]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.christianpost.com/news/messianic-judaism-the-followers-of-christ-who-do-not-celebrate-christmas-64328/ |title= Messianic Judaism: The Followers of Christ Who Do Not Celebrate Christmas |work= The Christian Post |date= 8 December 2011 |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> most [[Sabbath in seventh-day churches|Sabbatarian]] denominations, such as the [[True Jesus Church]] and the [[General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh-Day)|Church of God (7th-Day)]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/FAQs.html |title= Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |publisher= churchofgod-7thday.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref> the [[Iglesia ni Cristo]];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.iglesianicristowebsite.com/Pages/7-faq-answers.html |title= All About Iglesia ni Cristo: Frequently Asked Questions |publisher= iglesianicristowebsite.com |accessdate=1 January 2013}}</ref> the [[Christian Congregation in Brazil]]; the [[Christian Congregation in the United States]]; certain [[Reformed churches|reformed]] and [[fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] churches of various persuasions, including some [[Independent Baptist]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libcfl.com/articles/becker2.htm|title=The Truth about Christmas|first=Greg|last=Wilson|publisher=}}</ref> [[Holiness movement|Holiness Christians]], [[Oneness Pentecostalism|Oneness Pentecostals]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prime.org/|title=Jesus Name Apostolic Holiness Church - Oneness Pentecostal|publisher=}}</ref> Amish-Mennonites, and Churches of Christ congregations.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tjc.org/showArticle.aspx?aid=7219 |title= Is Christmas Biblical? |publisher= tjc.org |accessdate= 1 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.christianchronicle.org/article/christ-in-christmas-churches-of-christ-and-the-holiday-season?A=SearchResult&SearchID=4375144&ObjectID=4364696&ObjectType=35|title= 'Christ' in Christmas?: Churches of Christ and the Holiday Season |work= [[Christian Chronicle]] |accessdate= 22 January 2017}}</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Jesus Christ]]

* [[Jesus Christ]]

* [[X-mas]]

* [[X-mas]]

* [[Christmas in Conservapedia]]

* [[Christmas in Conservapedia]]

* [[I Believe in Father Christmas]]

* [[I Believe in Father Christmas]]

== External links ==

== External links ==