Christmas...? Why?

Question

If "Christmas" is celebrating the birth of Jesus, Where are we told to celebrate this? What is the origination of Christmas? Why do you celebrate it? Is it because you have always celebrated it or because from the Bible you think it is the right thing to do? Humans are creatures of habits and we are habitual followers of "traditions" like this. Why? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks

Answer 1

The word Christmas comes from the words Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus for members of the Christian religion. Most historians peg the first celebration of Christmas to Rome in 336 A.D.

Christmas is both a holiday and a holy day. In America it is one of the biggest event of the year (especially for kids), and for members of the Christian religions it is an important day on the religious calendar.

There are two reasons why Christmas is such a big deal:

* According to the 1994 "Britannica Book of the Year," there are 1.8 billion Christians in a total world population of 5.5 billion, making it the largest religion worldwide. In America, 241 million out of a total population of 281 million people are Christians -- that's 85 percent. Because Christians follow Jesus, the birth of Jesus is important to them.

* In America, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the biggest shopping weeks of the year. Many retailers make up to 70 percent of their annual revenue in the month preceding Christmas. Therefore, retailers hype the event beyond belief.

Answer 2

We celebrate Christmas simply because the Christian Church took over a pagan festival that occurred at that time of year.

Before Christianity came along there was a pagan festival celebrating the shortest day which takes place around that time (now it's 22nd December but remember that the calendar changed in the Middle Ages). Obviously the Christians wanted to stamp out this pagan festival and the best way to do this was to replace it with a Christian one.

As most people know, Jesus was not actually born anywhere near December 25th but the Christian Church "moved" his birthday to coincide with the pagan midwinter festival so they could take over and oust the old religion.

In the same manner, many old churches are built on old pagan burial or meeting places.

Answer 3

I can't believe how much people nit-pick over x-mas. I think its funny. Yeah, its commercial and everyone gets a stick up their *** about what the purpose of it is- but who cares! For some people the tradition involves seeing family members that you don't see every day. Some you only see once a year! Not to mention that Christmas isn't even on the right day (for those who believe in Jesus)! It's on a pagan holiday! Why not have fun making the best of what you feel is a bad situation (or just not participating- which is kind of difficult, considering the traffic, busy stores, lines, and decorations EVERYWHERE).

Answer 4

thee 25th December falls on an Pagan Festival. Since Christianity is a younger religion, with our habitual nature and not being able to prove the exact date the Christians over powered the pagans in making this date into a festival of their own. This date used to be new year. Instead of celebrating the new year they decided to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Answer 5

There were ancient celebrations that took place on and around December 25th way before christianty existed. The traditions were adopted from those celebrations.

Answer 6

this is funny acctually because the other day me ad my uncle had a major dispute over this subject because christmas has lost its meaning the only thing christmas is about now is presents and greedy children who have no idea what the meaning of chrismas is there are traditions i suppose but childeren do not not the meaning of christmas its so commercialzed now well i dont know if hat helps you any ijus figured i would voice my opinion lol

Answer 7

well, christians are strong believers in celebrating the birth of Christ. Not all of them, but some. i mean, most people say they're christians, but dont really celebrate christmas for the birth of christ. some see it as a great time to get gifts. but that's not the true meaning, and people should be ashamed of themselves if they see it that way. because if they do, they're not celebrating christmas.

But anyways, people have their own religions, some dont even have one. they're atheist and dont believe in any god. and thats fine, no one should have the power to make you worship a religion you dont believe in.

But me, im a christian. i believe if you believe in god, better things will happen to yourself and the others you love. and that if you believe in him he'd help you through any situation.

Answer 8

I don't know about anyone else, but I celebrate Christmas because it's Jesus' birthday... though people said he wasn't born that day.

But anyway, I celebrate it because it's Jesus, he did great things, he's God's son that died for us, you should celebrate the day Jesus came.

Answer 9

i celebrate it because my fiance and the rest of my family do. i really only do it to give and receive presents. plus i like lights. i'm not religious and i thought about your question as i was looking at my tree. if i'm not christian or catholic or whatever then why DO it celebrate christmas? i don't believe a man named jesus christ from a book.


its just like the christians to try to overrule another religion. they should say sorry to the pagans for pushing them to the side. why do christians have to be so pushy about their religion? we all do whatever we want to do, why do they have to drill it into everyone's minds. i really hate that. i mena, i respect it, but i hate it!

Answer 10

I'm not sure but I could do away with it. Its all commercialized anyway... Why go into debt to this tradition... It's SO PAINFUL!!! HOW CAN ANYONE ENJOY THIS???????