Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays. The Catholics celebrated it on December 25, the Orthodox on January 7 (according to the new style). According to biblical legend, on the night of January 6-7, in Bethlehem, the Virgin Mary was born the son of Jesus. Christmas is not a secular, international, interethnic holiday. The Christian religion is one of the most common on Earth. Today, just over a quarter of the world's population is Christians, so we can safely say that Christmas is celebrated everywhere, on all continents.
According to unbiblical sources, the history of Christmas begins in the 4th century A.D. and is in no way connected with the true birth of a man-god. In ancient times, the exact date of birth of Jesus Christ was the subject of controversy among many church authors. The texts of the Greek theologian Clement of Alexandria (150-215), which indicate the real date of the birth of Christ, have survived to this day, and this is by no means December 25th. According to the theologian’s work, Jesus Christ was born on May 20. The advent of Christmas is associated with the Roman Catholic Church. The choice of the date of its celebration, according to many historians, is not accidental. In the days of paganism, December 25th was the birthday of the Invincible Sun, associated with an increase in daylight after the winter solstice. The Catholic Church has brought a new meaning to the celebration of the birthday of the Sun. From now on, the birth of the Sun and the birth of Christ have become almost synonymous. With the passage of time and with the spread of Christianity, the first was generally forgotten.
In the city of three religions - Jerusalem, Cyprus and Alexandria until the 6th century, the Nativity of Christ was celebrated simultaneously with another important Christian holiday - the Epiphany (January 6). Today this tradition has been preserved only in the territory of Armenia.
Over the past hundred years, historians and scientists have found many artifacts testifying to the fact that the Christmas holiday was equally highly respected in different countries in which Christianity prevailed. This is the temple, erected in honor of the birth of Christ on the site of the Bethlehem cave by order of Queen Helena, this is the teachings of the theologians of the 4th century, written precisely on Holy Day, these are notes on the universal celebration of Christmas in the Justinian Codex.
The ancient Church honored the Nativity of Christ along with Easter. In the churches of all Christian countries of the world on this day a great celebration was held, which was preceded by a forty-day Christmas fast. Christmas Eve (the day before the holiday) was called Christmas Eve and assumed the strictest post. On this day of the year, all Christians were allowed to eat only bread grains soaked in water. On Christmas night, churches and temples performed the hymns and services of the three masses (night, morning and afternoon). The latter received the name of the Angelic, Pastoral and Royal.
Modern Christmas holidays are celebrated somewhat differently. Today, Christmas is, first of all, a family holiday preceding the beginning of the new year (or as in our country, ending its celebration), associated with receiving gifts and congratulations from loved ones. In Russia, the holy Christmas night comes from January 6 to 7. At this time, festive services are held in all Orthodox churches of the country. In many countries of the world, Christmas is synonymous with charity. In European cities, during the Christmas holidays, dining rooms are opened for poor citizens, and large shopping centers hold holiday sales days. In recent decades, Christmas donations to various charitable foundations have become especially popular.
Christmas is a holiday of goodness, peace and forgiveness. It is on this day that we all become little children, regardless of whether we believe in God or not, and expect some kind of miracle. And miracles, as you know, happen only to those who truly believe in them.