{"id":72026,"date":"2022-12-01T10:51:49","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T05:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.akbartravels.com\/?p=72026"},"modified":"2022-12-01T10:51:49","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T05:21:49","slug":"christmas-2022-origin-history-significance-and-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.akbartravels.com\/in\/blogs\/christmas-2022-origin-history-significance-and-celebrations\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas 2022 – Origin, History, Significance and Celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible say
Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas day<\/em>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Remember humming this carol during your school Christmas choir or waiting for Santa Claus to bring you your gift on Christmas morning. When you picture Christmas, It is usually really cold weather, a brightly lit atmosphere, the smell of freshly baked Christmas delicacies and the warmth of your family and friends together when you picture Christmas. It is one of the times when the entire world experiences a jolly atmosphere at the same time. The weather has started to get chilly signalling the fact that Christmas is coming soon. Before you start your Christmas 2022 preparations, it would be great to know about the origin story, history, significance, celebrations and some interesting facts about Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Girl decorating a Christmas tree
Image Credits: <\/strong>Yuganov Konstantin <\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like every year, Christmas will be celebrated on 25th December 2022 this year, preceded by Christmas Eve celebrations on 24th December and continued until 1st January to ring in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Christmas:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christmas is celebrated on the 25th December to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Christians or as people believe the Son of God. However, nobody knows the real date of Jesus Christ\u2019s birth. The first time Christmas was celebrated was actually 300 years later Jesus\u2019 actual birth in 336 AD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how did we arrive on this date of 25th December to celebrate Christmas?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to famous folklore, on 23rd March, Mother Mary had an angel come into her dream and tell her that she would give birth to a special child. So counting 9 months from thereon, 25th December was chosen as Jesus\u2019 date of birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While pregnant, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. They couldn\u2019t find a spot for the night until they stumbled upon a place where cattle herders lived. Jesus was born there that night itself. This date also coincided with the existing pagan festivals honouring Satan and Mithra. Christians across the world started accepting this date and in 1870 Christmas was made a federal holiday in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin of Christmas:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The name Christmas originates from the words Christ and Mass- meaning Christ\u2019s Mass. The celebration of Christmas first originated in Rome in 336 AD and from there on the festival grew steadily to be celebrated in all parts of the world. As of Christmas 2022, about 160 countries across the world celebrate the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significance of Christmas:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ in this world. But why celebrate his birth? Jesus was said to be the son of god, the spiritual leader and the founder of spirituality. It is said that the world was full of hatred, greed, ignorance and hypocrisy before Jesus was born. His birth changed the lives of people. He taught them the importance of spirituality, purity, devotion, living a simple and humble life and giving up worldly desires. He changed the world to be a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Celebrations and Traditions:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With 2 years of mild Christmas celebrations across the world, Christmas 2022 is going to be a fresh beacon of light. Many get in the Christmas spirit rights after Thanksgiving ends, i.e. almost a month in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas is the time of gala joy and enthusiasm among friends and families. Some Christmas traditions differ across the world according to countries and cultures but some common ones have been followed year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who\u2019s Santa Claus?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/a>
Santa Claus with his bag full of gifts
Image Credits: Milles Studio<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Picture Christmas and you picture a fat, white-bearded man with a jolly smile wearing a red 2- piece suit and carrying a big red bag with him on his magical sleigh. However, this originated with Saint Nicholas, a Turkish monk, who had given all his wealth to the needy. Due to the Dutch Immigrants in the US, Saint Nicholas became \u2018Sinter Klaas\u2019 eventually evolving into \u2018Santa Claus\u2019. Santa is known to bring children gifts on Christmas day- well only for the ones on the list of nice children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though Santa Claus is not real (heartbreaking right!), we can see many in costumes in public places giving out gifts and candies to children. So, Santa Claus is basically the mascot for Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Movies:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/a>
Family watching a Christmas movie together
Image Credits: Evgeny Atamanenko<\/a> <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Owing to the massive amount of movies made, Christmas could well be a genre in itself. Christmas-themed movies are definitely the highest-gross films and families also watch them together, cosying up in blankets, as part of their Christmas traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out these movies for Christmas 2022: \u2018A Magical Christmas Village\u2019, \u2018Lights, Camera, Christmas!\u2019, \u2018Catering Christmas\u2019, \u2018Maple Valley Christmas\u2019 and so many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singing Christmas Carols:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christams<\/a>
A family carol singing in the neighbourhood
Image Credits: DGLimages<\/a> <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Christmas carol or song is traditionally sung during the Christmas holiday season to amplify the festive vibe through music. Carolling groups often sing them in churches, go around in neighbourhoods or from house to house singing Christmas carols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decorating houses and Christmas trees:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/a>
House decorated with Christmas tree and other decorations.
Image Credits: <\/strong>Goncharenya Tanya<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many enthusiastic Christmas celebrators start decorating their houses and putting up Christmas trees by early December. The Germans started the tradition of cutting up a fully green tree, setting it up indoors and decorating it in the 16th century. It is one of the most common Christmas traditions around the world. Houses are adorned with twinkling lights, bright cushions and rugs, fuzzy sweaters and socks hanging by the chimneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving and receiving gifts:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/a>
Exchanging gifts on Christmas
Image Credits: <\/strong>Maxbelchenko<\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The giving and receiving of gifts is a symbol of showing affection and care towards your loved ones, especially during the holiday season. This tradition root from a story where the three wise men bring gifts for Baby Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relishing the Christmas delicacies:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/a>
Enjoying Christmas dinner with friends and family
Image Credits: <\/strong>Yulia Grigoryeva<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Having a scrumptious meal with all your family together at the dining table is one of the best parts of Christmas. Christmas cookies, Honey-glazed ham, plum cakes, candy canes and red wines are the main attractions of Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts about Christmas:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n