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Christmas — Grokipedia Fact-checked by Grok 3 months ago Christmas Ara Eve Leo Sal 1x Christmas is an annual Christian holiday observed primarily on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, as recounted in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew and Luke, though the precise date of the nativity remains unknown from historical or scriptural records. [1] [2] The selection of December 25 emerged in the early 4th century, with the earliest documented celebration occurring in Rome in 336 AD, likely derived from early Christian calendrical calculations associating the date with the spring equinox conception of Jesus or the anniversary of his death rather than direct appropriation of pagan solstice festivals, despite longstanding scholarly debates on Roman influences like the Natalis Invicti. [3] [4] [5] The festival centers on theological themes of incarnation and divine humility, expressed through rituals such as midnight Mass , nativity scenes, and hymns, but has expanded globally into a multifaceted cultural event incorporating feasting, gift-giving, evergreen decorations, and figures like Santa Claus , which trace to medieval European customs and 19th-century American innovations blending saintly lore with folklore . [6] [1] In contemporary observance, over two billion adherents participate in religious rites while secular societies emphasize commercial and familial aspects, and it is observed as a statutory holiday in many countries, [7] leading to critiques of materialism overshadowing spiritual origins, with variations by region including Advent wreaths in Protestant traditions and extended feasts in Orthodox Christianity on January 7 under the Julian calendar . [1] [2] Religious Foundations Nativity of Jesus Christ The Nativity of Jesus Christ refers to the birth of Jesus as described in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew (1:18–25) and Luke (2:1–20), forming the scriptural basis for the Christmas celebration. [8] Both accounts portray Jesus' conception as miraculous, with Mary, betrothed to Joseph, becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit without sexual relations, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin. [8] Matthew highlights Joseph's acceptance of the pregnancy after a divine dream, linking it to Isaiah 7:14's prophecy of a virgin bearing a son called Immanuel. [9] Luke frames the birth amid a Roman census decreed by Caesar Augustus, requiring Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph's ancestral city in Judea. [10] In Luke's narrative, Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger due to overcrowded conditions, as there was no guest room available. [10] Angels announce the birth to nearby shepherds, describing the child as savior, Christ the Lord, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger , prompting the shepherds to visit and glorify God . [11] Matthew's account omits shepherds but includes magi from the East following a star to worship the newborn king, presenting gifts of gold , frankincense , and myrrh ; warned in a dream of Herod's threat, they avoid reporting back, leading Joseph to flee to Egypt with the family. [12] Both Gospels situate the birth in Bethlehem to fulfill Micah 5:2's prophecy of a ruler from Judah emerging there, contrasting with Jesus' later association with Nazareth . [13] Historically, the accounts present challenges for verification. The Lukan census under Quirinius is documented around 6 CE, yet Matthew references Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE, creating a chronological discrepancy of several years. [14] Shepherds tending flocks at night suggest a non-winter birth, as Judean shepherds typically avoided fields in December due to cold. [15] Scholarly estimates place Jesus' birth between 8 BCE and 4 BCE, based on Herod's reign and astronomical data for the magi's star, possibly a conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus. [16] The virgin birth lacks independent corroboration outside the Gospels and is viewed by some historians as theological assertion rather than empirical event, though archaeological evidence confirms first-century Bethlehem structures consistent with the setting. [17] [18] The Nativity underscores core Christian doctrines of incarnation —God becoming human—and messianic fulfillment, influencing liturgical practices like midnight masses reenacting the shepherds' adoration. [19] While empirical data cannot confirm miraculous elements, the narratives' emphasis on humble origins amid imperial rule aligns with broader historical patterns of Jewish resistance to Roman dominance. [20] Theological and Liturgical Importance Christmas commemorates the Incarnation , the theological doctrine that the eternal Son of God assumed human nature in the person of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem . This event, detailed in the Gospel accounts of Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 2:1–20, fulfills Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 7:14 regarding the virgin birth and Micah 5:2 specifying Bethlehem as the birthplace. [21] The Incarnation affirms the hypostatic union of Christ's fully divine and fully human natures, essential to Christian soteriology as it enables the divine mediator to atone for human sin through his life, death, and resurrection . [22] [23] Theologically, Christmas emphasizes Emmanuel —" God with us" (Matthew 1:23)—signifying divine initiative in bridging the gap between Creator and creation caused by sin , rather than human achievement. This counters anthropocentric views by rooting salvation in God's sovereign act of love, providing the only means for reconciliation and eternal life. [22] Early church fathers like Athanasius elaborated on the Incarnation's cosmic scope, arguing it restores humanity's participation in divine life, reversing the effects of the Fall. [24] While some Protestant traditions minimize dogmatic emphasis to focus on scriptural nativity narratives, the core affirmation of God entering history remains central across denominations. [25] Liturgically, Christmas ranks as a principal solemnity in the Christian calendar , second only to Easter in many traditions, marking the start of Christmastide , which extends to the Baptism of the Lord or Epiphany. In the Roman Rite , the feast uniquely features four Masses on December 25 : Vigil, Midnight (emphasizing the night's annunciation ), Dawn (shepherds' adoration ), and Day (universal kingship). [26] This structure highlights progressive revelations of Christ's birth, from intimate family and shepherds to the world's Magi . The octave concludes on January 1 with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, venerating her role in the Incarnation , while Eastern Orthodox liturgies, often on January 7 due to the Julian calendar , incorporate vespers , matins , and Divine Liturgy with similar thematic focus. [27] [28] These observances underscore the feast's priority in manifesting Christ's birth and early epiphanies, integrating Scripture, hymnody, and sacramental rites to proclaim divine humility in human form. [29] Etymology and Nomenclature Derivation of "Christmas" The English term "Christmas" derives from the late Old English compound Cristes mæsse , literally meaning "Christ's mass " or the liturgical mass in honor of Christ. [30] This phrase combined Cristes , the genitive form of Crist (from Latin Christus , itself from Greek Christos meaning "anointed one"), with mæsse , denoting a church festival or Eucharistic service. [30] The earliest recorded use of Cristes Maesse appears in 1038, referring to the annual ecclesiastical observance of Jesus Christ's nativity. [31] By the Middle English period, prior to the 12th century , the term evolved into "Christemass," retaining its core meaning as the mass celebrating Christ's birth, distinct from other liturgical masses. [32] The word " mass " in this context specifically signified the Roman Catholic rite of the Eucharist , central to medieval Christian worship , rather than a general gathering. [33] This etymological root underscores the holiday's origins as a religious sacrament focused on the incarnation , rather than secular or pagan elements, though later cultural accretions sometimes obscured this. [34] Over time, the term standardized to "Christmas" in Early Modern English , while equivalents in other languages often preserved the " mass " connotation, such as French Noël (from Latin natalis "birth") or German Weihnachten ("holy night"). [30] Variations in Languages and Cultures The nomenclature for Christmas derives from either Christian theological concepts, such as the birth of Christ, or pre-Christian winter solstice observances adapted into Christian practice. In Romance languages , the term stems from the Latin dies natalis ("day of birth"), referring to the Nativity: French Noël (from Old French nael , unattested in Latin but linked to natalis ), Spanish Navidad , Italian Natale , and Portuguese Natal . [35] [36] In Germanic languages , names often evoke sanctity or night: German Weihnachten from Old High German wīhennaht ("holy night" or "night of consecration"), Dutch Kerstmis (from "Christ's mass"), and archaic English Yule (from Old English ġēol , tied to pagan midwinter feasts). [37] [38] Slavic languages emphasize birth or festivity: Russian Rozhdestvo Khristovo ("birth of Christ"), Polish Boże Narodzenie ("God's birth"), and Croatian Božić (from Old Church Slavonic bogъ "God" + diminutive). [39] Greek Christoúgenna combines Christós ("anointed one") with génna ("birth"). [37] In non-Indo-European languages, adaptations vary: Arabic Eid el-Milad ("feast of the birth"), Hebrew Chag ha-Molad ("holiday of birth"), and Japanese Kurisanmasu (a katakana rendering of English "Christmas"). [39] Language Family/Region Language Term for Christmas Etymological Note Romance ( Western Europe ) French Noël From Latin natalis via Old French , denoting birth. [35] Spanish Navidad Directly from Latin nativitas ("birth"). [36] Germanic (Northern/ Central Europe ) German Weihnachten "Holy night," reflecting vigil traditions. [3