can anybody tell me why is it called christmas??
2006-12-07 02:28:08 · 6 answers · asked by anything 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Christmas = "Christ Mass", as in a Catholic church service called a Mass. Christmas is the feast of the nativity.
The online New Advent dictionary has a detailed history of Christmas, with pretty much anything you'd ever want to know about it's origin.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm
2006-12-07 02:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by evolver 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Christmas is the name chosen by Catholics who adopted a Pagan tradition called Saturnalia. The idea of Christ being born on this day was thus added to make it appear "Christian" but also provided the possibility of Pagan conversion to Christianity. The celebration of Christ birth is not mentioned in the Bible nor the understanding that he was born on December 25th. The birth of Jesus Christ is extremely important but of what importance is it to True Christians if it is celebrated on a Pagan holiday?
The Encyclopedia Americana as well as The New Catholic Encyclopedia provides further testament to this reality.
2006-12-07 10:40:08 · answer #2 · answered by LittleThing 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas = Christ Mass but before that it was called Yule, Saturnalia, or Festivus. Only the name has changed.
The celebrations around the Solstice were extremely popular and widely-celebrated long before the birth of Christ. In fact, for the first few centuries, Christians tried very hard to get people to cease these celebrations, to no avail. Eventually they realized it wouldn't work, and decided since they couldn't beat them, they'd join them.
But I think this is okay, because the point of the celebrations is to take the darkest, coldest, hardest, dreariest time of year, and celebrate light, life, hope, joy, giving, caring, and togetherness.
2006-12-07 10:43:02 · answer #3 · answered by KC 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25. Many scholar's believe he was born in fall, others believe he was born in the spring. It was a warm night and the clues are given of spring in the New Testament.
The Roman Catholic Church gave it Dec. 25 in order to convert Pagans of Germany, France and England, This was their Winter Solstice which the Barbarians used to practice sacrifices to their gods of fertillity for two weeks , during this time.
2006-12-07 10:42:22 · answer #4 · answered by pirateman22us 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hi! Christmas is not abt Santa Clause or turkey or xmas tree or ligthings.....
The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the BIRTH of OUR saviour called Jesus CHRIST ( you can see that from the very word CHRISTmas)
I'm not trying to preach but do you know why people usually say that Christmas is a season of giving n of love?
Well... this is because the birth of Jesus Christ gives hope for the living as he freely gives HIS love to anyone who comes to HIM. HIS love is so vast to the extent that HE is willingly to be hung on the cross for our sins....... :P
2006-12-07 10:43:34 · answer #5 · answered by Joy1986 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
xmas as you call it is CHRISTmas and it is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH! it has ,however: become a pagan holiday celebrated to boost the economy for end of year sales and to make the less fortunate parents feel bad and go broke trying to provide things for their children so they dont have to be humiliated at school for not having the lateast and the greatest....see how the birth of our dear savior jesus christ has been corrupted into a downward spiral of economic despair . after christmas it takes 2-3 months to play catch up on bills for many that arent rich and love their family enough to provide for them nicer things!
GOD HOW I PREFER CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND PRAISING HIS HOLY NAME INSTEAD OF THE ALTERNATE!
2006-12-07 10:46:45 · answer #6 · answered by ***BUTTERFLY*** 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋