A Christmas Special: The meaning of Christmas today

Let's learn the facts and discover its true meaning.

"Christmas" is derived from the Old English "Christes maesse" (Christ's Mass) in the 11th century.

Despite the Christian birth stories, the church did not observe a festival for the celebration of the event until the 4th century. The date was chosen to counter the pagan festivities connected with the winter solstice. Since 274 A.D. under the emperor Aurelius, Rome had celebrated the feast of the "Invincible Sun" on December 25. In the Eastern Church, Christ's birth was celebrated on January 6, a day associated with the winter solstice. In due course, however, the West added the Eastern date as the Feast of the Epiphany, the visit of the Magi, and the East added the Western date of Christmas.

Although it was impossible to determine the exact date of the birth of Christ, either from evidence of the Gospels or from any sound tradition, the most probable sound reason is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the Pagan Roman festival marking the "natalis solis invicti" (the day of the unconquered sun). This festival celebrated the winter solstice - when the days again begin to lengthen and the sun begins to climb higher in the sky. The traditional customs connected with Christmas have accordingly developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observances at midwinter. The Saturnalia (December 17) in the Roman world was a time of merrymaking and the exchange of gifts. The Ianian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness, has December 25 as its birthdate. On the Roman New Year (January 1), houses were decorated with greenery and lights and gifts were given to children and the poor. When the Teutonic tribes penetrated into Gaul, Britain and Central Europe, these observances were added to the German culture as Celtic Yule. The Yule log and Yule cakes, food and good fellowship, greenery and fir trees, and gifts and greetings all commemorated different aspects of this festive season. Thus, the Yuletide Season. Symbols of warmth and lasting life, fires and lights have always been associated with Christmas since the European Middle Ages. Christmas is usually regarded as the festival of the family and of children, under the name of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus, presents are exchanged in many countries.

Christmas carols originated from 13th century hymns in honor of the Nativity, which were generally solemn and strictly religious, by then. The true Christmas carol-lighter, informal and jovial-was born in Italy among the early Franciscans friars.

The old tradition of celebrating Christmas gives us overwhelming reason to celebrate the festivities. The true meaning of Christmas is simple - Jesus was born. And this birth redeemed the world.

Now that's something we should all thank for and celebrate - crisis or not.