History of the holiday Christmas: facts and events

Christmas is one of the most important church holidays in the year. It is celebrated by representatives of various faiths and many nationalities. The history of this holiday is rich and very interesting. Tell her to your children on Christmas Eve.

History of the holiday Christmas: setting a date

How was the date of Christmas established? The exact date of birth of the Savior is unknown. Church historians for a long time could not establish the present number of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. In ancient times, Christians did not celebrate their birthday, but the day of baptism. Thus, they stressed that it is not the day of the sinner coming to earth that is more important, but the day of choosing a life of the righteous. On this basis, celebrated the day of Jesus' baptism.

Until the end of the fourth century, Christmas was celebrated on January 6. He was called the Epiphany and, in fact, related to the Baptism of the Lord. A little later it was decided to allocate a separate day for this event. In the first half of the fourth century, Christmas was separated from Epiphany, moving it to December 25.

So, at the direction of Pope Julia, the Western Church began celebrating Christmas on December 25 (January 7). In 377, the innovation spread to the whole east. The exception is the Armenian church, it celebrates Christmas, Epiphany on January 6 as a general Feast of the Epiphany. Then the Orthodox world changed to a new style, so today Christmas celebrates on January 7th.

The history of the holiday Christmas for children

The full story of the Christmas holiday for understanding the children is too complicated, so there is an adapted version especially for the little parishioners. The basis of the feast is the birth of the Son of God Jesus in the flesh. Christ is not God, but the Son of God who came to earth to save the world, cleansing mankind of sin and taking it upon himself.

Jesus was the son of the Most Holy Mary and the carpenter Joseph. The history of the holiday Christmas begins with the Epiphany, when an angel appeared to St. Mary and announced that she was destined to give birth to the Savior.

On the day when Mary was to give birth to the Son of God, there was a census of the population. According to the order of the emperor, every resident was obliged to appear in his city, so Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem.

They stayed in the cave for shelter for the night, where Mary also gave birth to Jesus. Later it was called "The Cave of Christmas".

The shepherds, who received a message from the angels, came to bow to the Savior and brought gifts. As they say in the Gospel of Matthew, a wonderful star appeared in the sky, which showed them the way to the baby. The news of the birth of the Savior soon flew all over Judah.

King Herod, hearing about the birth of the Son of God, ordered the destruction of all children under the age of two. But Jesus escaped this fate. His earthly father Joseph was warned by an angel of danger, having ordered to hide his family in Egypt. There they lived until the death of Herod.

The History of Christmas in Russia

Until 1919 this feast was considered great, but with the advent of Soviet power religion was abolished, and with it traditions. The churches were closed. Only since 1991 the holiday has again become official. But even during the repressions, believers kept it secret. Times have changed, now the Christmas holiday is official in many countries of the former Union.

A bright holiday Christmas Christ is of great importance for Christians, loved and honored by adults and children. The solemnity of this day is in the front rows along with Easter.

Christmas - the symbol of the coming into the world of the Messiah - opens before every believer the possibility of salvation.

Great value of the holiday is emphasized by a long post, which turns into a particularly strict one just before Christmas. On the eve of the holiday, that is, on January 6, there is a custom of not eating anything until the appearance of the first star in the sky, as a reminder of the one that was lit in Bethlehem, and led the shepherds to the baby.