Christmas

Christmas is the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Day in the Anglican and other Western traditions it is celebrated on December 25th on the Gregorian Calendar. Many eastern churches celebrate Christmas Day according to the Julian Calendar and therefore celebrate on January 7th according to the Gregorian Calendar. It is considered a principal feast of the liturgical calendar. Christmastide consists of the Twelve Days following Christmas Day and is traditionally considered a part of Christmas.

History

The birth of Jesus was one of the first holidays celebrated by Early Christians. While a precise date was likely not agreed upon until later, the eventual date that was chosen was likely chosen to subvert alternative Pagan celebrations commonly celebrated in the Roman Empire on or around December 25th.

Conflict with the Church of Scotland

Unlike in the Church of England, the Post-Reformation Church of Scotland eventually stopped celebrating Christmas and Easter. When the two countries were brought under the same crown during the reign of James the VI and I, the king attempted to mediate these differences and erect a compromise. One of these compromises would have been the reintroduction of the celebration of Christmas to Scotland. These attempts failed. Charles I, the then king of both England and Scotland, attempted to impose a unified system upon both system upon both countries by force in 1639, leading to the First Bishop's War. Involved in this proposal, was a Scottish Prayer Book, devised by Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud, and his allies in 1637 which would have included Christmas and Easter on the liturgical calendar.

Cromwell

From 1644-1660, the celebration of Christmas was banned in England under the auspices of Oliver Cromwell and other Puritans who believed the celebration of Christmas was pagan and popish in origin. It was restored during the Restoration and is in the 1662 Prayerbook.

Traditions

Gift Exchange

Gift giving has become customary for people all across the world, and they are usually exchanged on Christmas Morning.

Crèche

Many churches and families will also set up a crèche, which is a model usually made up of small figurines of baby Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and the manger representing the scene of Jesus Christ's birth.

Christmas Tree

Originally a German tradition, the decorating of a Christmas tree was brought to England and eventually the rest of the English Speaking world by Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria.