Christmas, also known as the Nativity of Christ, is a traditional Western festival celebrated annually on December 25. It honors the birthday of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity.
In the early days of Christianity, there was no Christmas celebration. The festival gradually came into being more than a hundred years after the Ascension of Jesus. Since the Bible records that Jesus was born at night, the evening of December 24 is called Christmas Eve or Silent Night. Christmas is also a public holiday across Western countries and many other regions worldwide.
The Story of Jesus’ Birth
According to the Bible, the birth of Jesus took place as follows:
At that time, Emperor Augustus issued a decree that all people throughout the Roman Empire should register for a census. This was the first census conducted when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to their own hometowns to register.
Joseph, being a descendant of King David, traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the hometown of David in Judea, to register with his pregnant wife Mary.
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Nearby, some shepherds were staying in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them, filling them with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Lord Messiah. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. After seeing Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said.
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as the angel had told them.
Meanwhile, a bright new star appeared over Bethlehem. Following the guidance of the star, the Three Wise Men from the East traveled to the town. They knelt down to worship the infant Jesus lying in the manger and presented precious gifts to Him. The next day, they returned to their homeland and spread the joyful news of Jesus’ birth.
The Legend of Santa Claus
Santa Claus is depicted as a kind elderly man with a white beard, wearing a red robe and a red hat. Every Christmas, he travels from the North Pole on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters houses through the chimney and places Christmas gifts into stockings hung at the bedside or beside the fireplace for children.
The original name of Santa Claus is Nicolaus. He was born in Asia Minor in the late 3rd century. He was virtuous and received a fine education from an early age. When he grew up, he joined a monastery and later became a priest.
Soon after his parents passed away, he sold all his family property and gave the money to the poor.
There once lived a poor family with three daughters, aged 20, 18 and 16. Only the second daughter was healthy, intelligent and beautiful; the other two suffered from poor health. Faced with hardship, their father planned to sell his second daughter to make a living.
When Saint Nicolaus learned of their trouble, he decided to help them quietly. On a Christmas night, he secretly placed three sacks of gold beside each of the young women’s beds.
The next morning, the three sisters found the gold and were overjoyed. They paid off their debts and lived a stable life. Later they discovered the gold was sent by Nicolaus, and invited him to their home to express gratitude on Christmas Day.
Since then, people have told this story every Christmas. Children began to hope that Santa Claus would also bring them gifts, and the classic legend of Santa Claus gradually formed. This is also the origin of Christmas stockings, and hanging Christmas stockings has become a popular custom for children all over the world.
Nicolaus was later promoted to bishop. He devoted his life to spreading the Christian faith and passed away in 359 AD, buried in a temple. Many miracles were recorded after his death; fragrant liquid often flowed near his tomb, believed to heal all kinds of illnesses.
The Legend of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is an indispensable decoration for Christmas celebrations. Without a Christmas tree, the festive atmosphere would be greatly diminished.
Long ago, on a snowy and stormy Christmas night, a kind farmer took in a poor hungry child who was suffering from cold. He prepared a rich Christmas dinner for the little one.
Before leaving, the child broke off a pine branch, planted it on the ground, and blessed the farmer:“May this branch bear countless gifts every year. May this beautiful fir repay your kindness forever.”
After the child left, the farmer was surprised to see the branch grow into a small full tree overnight, covered with various gifts. He realized he had entertained an angel sent by God — this is how the Christmas tree originated.
Christmas trees are always decorated with various ornaments and gifts. On the top of every tree stands a huge star, known as the Christmas Star.
It is said that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a brilliant star appeared above the town of Bethlehem. The Three Wise Men from the East followed the star’s guidance to visit and worship baby Jesus in the manger, which became the origin of the star on top of Christmas trees.
