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. In the cycle of the Liturgical Calendar, Christmas follows Advent.
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.
Etymology
In many languages, the name for Christmas is derived from the word for "the birth" in Latin: Nātīvitās. Hence the holiday is sometimes called Nativity, and the Anglo-Saxon term for the holiday was Nātiuiteð, although it was also called Mid-Winter. In Old English, and still to this day, the season is also often refered to as Yule.
The modern term Christmas is a simple composition of "Christ-Mass". An archaic version of this name used in Middle English was "Cristenmasse" or "Christian-Mass"
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.
Caroling
A number of beloved Christmas hymns are often sung during Christmas. Some examples include: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Once in Royal David's City, The First Nowell, O Come All Ye Faithful, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent index.php?title=Category:Holiday