Christmas is a huge event, which takes place every year. During this period, people invite their friends and families to have a good time together. However, one question remains in everyone's mind: how was Christmas born? In this article, we will answer this question for you. Good reading !
Origins of Christmas
Christmas has not always existed. Celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25, Christmas is of pagan origin.
Historians agree that long before Roman times, Europe was celebrating its long-awaited natural rebirth and new life expectancy at the end of December. But on the other hand, the rituals held at the time were imprecise.
For Christianity, the feast of Christmas does not exist. The church did not research the exact date of Christ's birth until the second century. December 25 was a date set by Rome around the year 300 to Christianize the ritual in popular culture.
This date was already used for the celebration of the winter solstice. The first day of the first month of the year was chosen because it corresponded to the end of winter and the first snowfalls in Europe.
Etymology of the word Christmas
The origins of the word Christmas are varied and controversial. Almost everywhere in Europe, the word takes on different colours: Christmas in France, Natale in Italy, Natal in Portugal, Navidad in Spain.
Some etymologists claim that the word may come from the Latin natalis dies, meaning "birthday".
Others claim that the origin of Christmas is Gallic. The etymology of the word “Christmas” is the two Gallic words noio (new) and hel (sun).
In the Middle Ages, Christmas was the cheers people gave when happy events happened.
As always, major Christian and pagan religious holidays overlap, making it difficult to trace the exact origin of the word Christmas. Especially since the word Christmas is not used in some countries like the UK and Germany to designate the day using “Christmas”. Similarly, in Scandinavian countries, Christmas is translated as Jul.
Celebration around the world
With the spread of Christianity, the celebration of Christmas increasingly became a European custom. The holiday of Christmas gradually spread across Europe, beginning with celebrations in Ireland in the 5th century, England in the 7th century, and Germany in the 8th century.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the exchange of gifts became a custom, symbolizing the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus.
In France, the celebration of Christmas was introduced by Clovis I, in the 6th century.
Creation of Santa Claus
Santa Claus is inspired by the character of Saint Nicolas. It also has the same symbolic meaning as the latter: a long white beard, transformed into the arrow of a fur hat. The reindeer rides on a sled and follows it in its movements. Saint Nicholas travels on a donkey.
For Americans, Saint Nicholas is Santa Claus turned Santa Claus. In Germany it is called St. Claus.
Before spreading to Europe, the character of Saint Nicholas was brought to the United States in the 17th century by German or Dutch immigrants, where he would go on a commercial scale, undergoing a costume and cultural transformation to become Father Christmas. It presents a very cheerful and festive image. Then he returned to Europe.
In Europe, the end-of-year celebrations were developed by the bourgeoisie in the 19th century. They were an opportunity to celebrate economic and social success as a family, with the development of Christmas traditions.
Today, the tradition of Santa Claus is spread in 90 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
