クリスマスとは何か：意味、歴史、起源の解説

What Is Christmas: Meaning, History, and Origin Explained | Crosswalk.com Christmas and Advent What Is Christmas: Its Meaning, History, and Origin Explained Rachel Dawson Updated Oct 28, 2025 : Follow topic Follow this topic Log in to your existing account or sign up today! Sign up to start following Log In Follow author Follow this author Log in to your existing account or sign up today! Sign up to start following Log In Log in to your existing account or sign up today! Sign up to start saving Log In What Is Christmas and When Did it Start? Christmas, the cherished annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, is a time-honored tradition observed on December 25th in the Western Church. The origins of this date trace back to ancient times, with its association dating as far back as A.D. 273. Interestingly, the historical significance of December 25th intersects with two pagan festivals that honored the sun. Some historical accounts suggest that the choice of December 25th for Christmas was deliberate, aiming to counteract the influence of these pagan celebrations. Nevertheless, even today, a lingering unease about Christmas persists among certain individuals who worry that its historical connection to pagan festivals might somehow taint its Christian significance. However, at the heart of the Christian faith lies the belief that the gospel not only transcends cultural influences but also has the power to transform them. In the early 4th century, around A.D. 320, a theologian responded to these concerns by offering a profound perspective, stating, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it." This eloquent assertion underscores the essence of Christmas—honoring the birth of Jesus Christ as the true source of light and hope, transcending any historical associations and reaffirming the profound spiritual significance of this sacred holiday. Photo credit: Unsplash/AaronBurden When Is Christmas? Christmas is a fixed holiday and celebrated on December 25th every year, though the days of the week shift. Here are the dates for Christmas over the next five years: 2025 - Thursday, December 25, 2025 2026 - Friday, December 25, 2026 2027 - Saturday, December 25, 2027 2028 - Monday, December 25, 2028 2029 - Tuesday, December 25, 2029 Why do we celebrate on December 25th? There are two specific theories for why we use the date of December 25th for Christmas . First, people and religions of the day celebrated some sort of holiday around that time. From Jewish Chanukah to Pagan Winter Solstice to Germanic Yule to Roman Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (Birth of the Unconquered Sun); the sheer number of celebration days with trees, decorations, yule logs, mistletoe and feasts seem to point to a season of celebration to which Christians added the birth of Jesus as a counter-cultural event and possibly even an escape from the pagan holidays for early believers. December 25th was the Saturnalia Festival of emancipation, gift-giving, and the triumph of light after the longest night. The Christian sees the truth implicit in this pagan tradition that reflects: Christ the Light of the world, His triumph over the night of sin in Luke 1:78-79 : "...Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” The second theory centers around the date “accepted” by the Western Church of March 25 as the Annunciation or Immaculate Conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb. December 25 is 9 months later and thus celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. Regardless of the possible reasons for the date, the church calendar was set in the West during Constantine’s reign while the Eastern Church held onto the date of January 6 for some time. Celebrate the birth of Christ with a FREE 25 Days to a Joyful Christmas Prayer Guide . Photo credit: ©Getty Images/MinoruM How Did Christmas Begin? The origin story of Christmas dates back to the Christian tradition, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ as the central event of Christmas. The nativity story of the birth of Jesus is primarily found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the books of Matthew and Luke. According to the Bible, the story begins with the announcement of the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary is visited by the angel, who tells her that she will conceive and give birth to a son, Jesus, who will be the Son of God. Mary accepts this divine message with faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph, Mary's husband-to-be, also receives a divine message in a dream, confirming the miraculous nature of Mary's pregnancy and instructing him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph obediently follows God's guidance. The birth of Jesus itself takes place in Bethlehem, as prophesied in the Old Testament. The couple, Mary and Joseph, travel to Bethlehem for a census, and because there is no room in the inn, Jesus is born in a humble stable or manger. Angels appear to shepherds in the fields, announcing the birth of the Savior and guiding them to the newborn baby. Later, wise men from the East, known as the Magi, follow a star to Bethlehem, where they present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus, symbolizing his royal and divine nature. The Christmas story, as told in the Bible, is central to the Christian faith and is commemorated annually on December 25th. The celebration of Christmas has evolved over the centuries and incorporates various cultural and religious traditions, but its core message remains the birth of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise to bring salvation and hope to humanity. The Origin of Christmas Eve For centuries, Christmas was celebrated not as a single day, but as a whole season in parts of the world, beginning with this day, December 24, Christmas Eve. Perhaps the practice of celebrating the evening before the big day is an echo from ancient Jewish reckoning. Among earlier Jews, a day began at six in the evening and ran until six the following evening. Had not Moses written: "An evening and a morning were the first day"? Why Is it Called Christmas? Christmas means "Christ-mass." Although the date is a guess, the tradition of observing it goes back to at least the fourth century. Under the influence of the church, Christian traditions replaced pagan solstice festivals throughout Europe. Often the more innocent pagan practices (such as bringing in a Yule log, decorating with holly and the like) were carried over into the Christmas observance, transfigured with new meaning. Photo credit: Unsplash/Mike Blank This content was adapted from " Christmas Eve " by Dan Graves. The Christian Meaning Behind Christmas Traditions Evergreen Trees were the symbol of eternal life. Martin Luther introduced them to the Reformation Church as a picture of our endless life in Christ, by bringing in a tree to his family on Christmas Eve lit with candles ( Isaiah 60:13 ). Candles are a picture that Christ is the Light of the world ( John 8 ). Holly speaks of the thorns in His crown ( Matthew 27:29 ). Red is a color of Christmas that speaks of Christ's blood and death. Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus. Each of them speak to a component of His incarnation: Majesty in life, Bitterest Agony in Death and He as God's Perfect gift to us ( Matthew 2 ). The Yule Log was a symbol by which all the men in the family would carry a log large enough to burn for 12 days into the house. They were identifying with Christ and His Cross. The fire was started with a fragment from the previous years [this refers to the eternal existence of Christ before His birth] log. It speaks of warmth, unity, joy and the security of endless life. Mistletoe was an ancient symbol from the Roman times. It was under mistletoe that old enmities and broken friendship were restored. So Christ was the One who took away the enmity and gave us peace with God ( Romans 5:1 ; Romans 8:1 ). Bells are associated with ringing out news. Christ is the good news, the best news of all. Photo credit: Unsplash/Annie Spratt How Christmas Has Evolved Throughout History Christmas has evolved over the centuries from its origins as a Christian religious holiday to a global celebration with a diverse array of cultural and secular traditions. Here is a brief overview of how Christmas has evolved into its modern form: During the Middle Ages, Christmas became a time of religious pageantry and feasting in Europe. Nativity scenes, carol singing, and church services played a central role. As Christianity spread, Christmas absorbed elements from pre-existing pagan winter festivals, such as the Roman Saturnalia and the Germanic Yule, to help facilitate the conversion of non-Christians. This included traditions like decorating with greenery, lighting candles, and exchanging gifts. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to various approaches to Christmas . Some Protestant groups embraced the holiday, while others rejected it as too Catholic in nature. In some regions, Christmas was banned entirely. The 19th century saw a revival of Christmas traditions in the English-speaking world, particularly in Victorian England. This era popularized many modern Christmas customs, including the Christmas tree, Christmas cards, and the idea of Christmas as a family-centered holiday. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christmas became increasingly commercialized, with retailers promoting the idea of gift-giving. The image of Santa Claus, based on the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, evolved into the jolly, gift-bearing figure we know today. While the there are many new traditions and customs surrounding the celebration of the season, the core of Christmas remains the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Modern Christmas Traditions Singing