Mistletoe was an ancient symbol from the Roman times. Another possible source of the Christmas tree (and probably the most likely) comes from medieval religious plays in Germany. In 1840 there were 6 Christmas families living in South Carolina. Since 1719, we’ve had a melody to weave around the embrace of these promises. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. December 25th was the Saturnalia Festival of emancipation, gift giving and the triumph of light after the longest night. Christmas (or the Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the world. It was under mistletoe that old enmities and broken friendship were restored. Christmas is a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. With references to the Rod of Jesse and the Key of David, it envelopes the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus Christ, which brings the New Testament into an even brighter light. December 27th is the feast day of St. John the Apostle, one of the more well-known of Jesus’ apostles. This content was adapted from the original article "The Origin of the Christmas Tree" by Angie Mosteller. 28 (1889): The phrase is especially associated with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843), in which an old miser named Ebeneezer Scrooge is taught the true meaning of Christmas by three ghostly visitors who review his past and foretell his future. From ancient Celtic to American immigrants to European influence - Christmas tree meaning is all over the map. However, the English term of word ‘Christmas’ is fairly a recent origin. Perhaps the practice of celebrating the evening before the big day is an echo from ancient Jewish reckoning. 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). Gifts are a reminder of the gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus. Its origin comes from the day after Christmas, when servants and tradesmen were allowed to return to their families, rather than wait on their masters (as they did on Christmas Day). "[3], Urbi et Orbi message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II Christmas, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=True_meaning_of_Christmas&oldid=1012283843, Criticism of the commercialization of Christmas, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 15 March 2021, at 15:35. It is considered likely the first Christmas celebrations were in reaction to the Roman Saturnalia, a harvest festival that marked the winter solstice—the return of the sun—and honored Saturn, the god of sowing. Photo credit: Unsplash/Greyson Joralemon Though the angels sang in celebration of His birth first, we get to share in that joy of His coming by singing along today. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ! It emerged in the late 19th century as a game that parents created for their children. “Joy to the World” is a repetition of God’s promises; ones that we need to repeat to ourselves far beyond the Christmas season. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrate… Defined, it literally means, “a Christmas carol” (Merriam Webster). The Romans used it to denote power and pride. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." “And so, let the heavens resound in gladness! Christians began to see the secularization of the celebration day of the birth of Christ as the shift toward Santa Claus and gift exchanging replaced the celebration of the advent of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return. Boniface determined that if he wanted to earn an audience with the people, he would have to confront Thor. This content was adapted from "Christmas Eve" by Dan Graves. 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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Harriet Beecher Stowe criticizes the commercialization in her story "Christmas; or, the Good Fairy". Isaac Watts penned the lyrics to “Joy to the World,” but God Himself ordained the Scripture that is referenced throughout its stanzas. Santa Claus is a Dutch word that is actually Sinter Claus, Saint Nicholas, in English. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. They found local use there and soon spread to America. And each of the feasts that we celebrate between Christmas and Epiphany—from Saint Stephen and Saint John the Evangelist and the Holy Innocents to the Holy Family and the Holy Name of Jesus—deepens the real meaning of Christmas … They were identifying with Christ and His Cross. The Western Front, only a few months into the war, was a deplorable … They are referred to as the celebration of the winter solstice. 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. The true meaning of Christmas is a phrase that began to appear in the mid-19th century when a shift toward a more secular culture resulted in a national backlash. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. World War I ravaged a continent, leaving destruction and debris in its wake. The human cost, well in the millions, staggers us. In the 8th century, he was a missionary to some of the remotest tribes of Germany. The phrase found its way into the 2003 Urbi et Orbi address of Pope John Paul II, "The crib and the tree: precious symbols, which hand down in time the true meaning of Christmas! 3. Christmas Eve History and TraditionsThe History of Santa Claus: Origin of St. Nicholas & Christmas TraditionsThe Birth of Jesus: Bible Story and Scripture Verses, What is Advent: Definition & Meaning Behind Christmas TraditionAdvent Wreath & Candles - Understanding the History, Meaning, and TraditionThe History and Meaning of the Advent Calendar. John 1:14, "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Most Christians celebrate the holiday on December 25, but it is celebrated on January 7 in the Orthodox Church due to the use of a different calendar. In an effort to re-create the magnificent sight for his family, he cut down the tree, placed it in his home, and decorated it with candles. Some say that on Christmas Eve, Luther was walking through the woods near his home. 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. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. In the play, the Garden of Eden was most often represented by a fir tree hung with apples and surrounded by candles. So Christ was the One who took away the enmity and gave us peace with God (Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1). We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." To this day some people feel uncomfortable with Christmas because they think it is somehow tainted by the pagan festivals held on that day. He announced before the people that he was going to cut down the oak, and he openly challenged Thor to strike him down. The topic was taken up by satirists such as Stan Freberg and Tom Lehrer during the 1950s and eventually by the influential TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, first aired in 1965 and repeated every year since. The real meaning of Christmas is the magnificent act of love. The second part of Christmas - … Christians began to see the secularization of the celebration day of the birth of Christ as the shift toward Santa Claus and gift exchanging replaced the celebration of the advent of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return. The meaning of mistletoe at Christmas. Christmas Cards started in 1844. Start some traditions that point to Christ. Christmas Origin - The Greatest Gift of All! Matthew 1:18-25, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. In 1846 Cole and Horsley saw the commercial potential of this growing tradition and started the production of what is now over a $1,000,000,000.00 industry, that sees 4 billion cards sent each year in America alone. Christmas is too important to be confined to a single day. Among the most popular of these plays was the “Paradise” play. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night. In 1822, Clement Moore wrote a poem for children that has never been forgotten. Pause to sense the darkness outside at night, and then thank God for sending the light. 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. They are timeless and without boundary. ... but it does have one big reference to Christianity. That being said, one thing historians can agree … And he gave him the name Jesus." 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. Origin of Christmas - The Biblical Account The origin of Christmas is presented beautifully in the well-known biblical account of Luke: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. The first verse of the song speaks of the Son of God appearing. Micah 5:2. [1] An early expression of this sentiment using the phrase of "the true meaning" is found in The American Magazine, vol. He was struck by the beauty of how the snow shimmered in the moonlight on the branches of the trees. To the Greeks, a wreath symbolized accomplishment and victory. Since Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, it was natural for people to refer to the celebration as the “nativity” or the “birth.” Another possible root for noel , also from the French, is the word nouvelles , meaning “news.” Check out this article for Christmas tree meanings. 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). Enjoy this Wonderful time of God appearing recent origin the second part of our larger Christmas Advent... Christmas INCARNATION section of the winter solstice the Crossroads Initiative Library destruction and debris in its wake all trees. His dwelling among us did what the angel of the Crossroads Initiative Library great resources for Christmas, the... 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