Introduction.
The word 'Christmas' is derived from the English word 'Christ Mass'. Which means 'Christ's Gathering' in Nepali. Christmas first began in 336 BC, i.e., in the fourth century, during the reign of the Christian Roman Emperor Constantine. A few years later, Pope Julius officially declared Christmas Day to be celebrated on December 25, the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The Bible does not record a specific date for the birth of Jesus Christ, but some historians and related organizations have their own opinions on the subject. Based on the Anno Domini chronology, it is stated that Jesus Christ was born between 7 and 2 BC. According to a report in the Washington Post, although the Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus was born on December 25, it is claimed that he was born to Mother Mary in Bethlehem on a calm and cold day. Anthropologist James George Fraser, in his book ‘The Golden Buzz’, has mentioned that the Christmas holiday came into being on the exact day on which Jesus Christ was born, in connection with Christmas Day, December 25.
According to religious belief, 2,022 years ago, God appeared to Mary in a dream, telling her that she would give birth to a special child, whose name would be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This prophecy was fulfilled on March 25, and Jesus was born nine months later on December 25. This is a reliable and common history. After the prophecy, Jesus was born in the stables of Bethlehem.
According to the New Testament of the Bible, the day before the birth of Jesus Christ, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, "Blessed are you among women, for you have been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God." Mother Mary was surprised to hear this. Then Mary and her husband Joseph went to the city of Bethlehem to register their names. When they could not find a suitable place to stay there, they stopped in a cave near a secluded Palestinian pasture. There, Jesus was born to Mary. There is a church today called the 'Church of the Nativity' where he was born. It is located in the Central West Bank, ten kilometers from Jerusalem, the capital of modern Israel. The birth of Christ is also considered to be AD 1. This is where the English calendar is believed to have started.
Christmas, which was once celebrated in Western countries, that is, in Christian-dominated areas, is now celebrated all over the world. It is celebrated on December 25 every year. Christmas is the main festival of the Christian community. But nowadays, non-Christian people also celebrate this festival with great pomp.
The main belief of Christmas is that God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to forgive and prevent the sins of the people of the world. It is read in the Holy Bible that Christ sacrificed his life in the course of spreading the divine teachings of love, faith, peace, religion, truth, etc., to liberate the sins of the people of the world. He has given the message of love and brotherhood to the people of the world. Jesus was a great religious figure. He taught love to society and people. He is also considered the founder of Christianity.
Christmas Day is celebrated with great pomp and show all over the world on December 25 in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Since it is the biggest and happiest festival of the Christian community, it is also called ‘Wada Din’ in Nepal and neighboring countries. The eve of Christmas is called Christmas Eve. This Eve is a great time to spend time with family, with joy and happiness.
Starting from the month of December, Christian followers start preparing for Christmas. On this festival, people decorate their homes beautifully and go to church to pray in memory of Lord Jesus and light candles. The custom of decorating Christmas trees in homes and churches and cutting cakes is considered important during this festival. In addition, on Christmas Day, children wait for Santa Claus and receive gifts. The belief is that Santa Claus comes from heaven in red clothes and a white beard and gives gifts to people. On this day, people of other religions also light candles and pray.
The tradition of celebrating Christmas officially began in Nepal after the end of the Rana regime and the rise of democracy in 2007 BS. Before this, Nepali Christians used to go to India to celebrate Christmas. At that time, celebrating Christmas was banned in Nepal. When democracy was declared in 2007 BS, Christians started coming to Nepal and celebrating Christmas. After that, national and international agencies were established directly in Nepal. They started providing education, health, and food assistance to the homeless, destitute, and poor through churches. Due to this, the number of churches increased in the service community of Christians. Now, thousands of churches have been established in almost all areas of Nepal under different names.
According to the 2011 census, 1.4 percent of Nepal's population was Christian. However, various studies and surveys since then have shown that the number of Christians in Nepal is increasing. Currently, more than 3 million Nepalis are affiliated with the Christian religion.
Like in other countries, Nepali Christian followers celebrate Christmas Day in their own Nepali style on December 25 with great pomp and show. After the political changes of 2046 BS, Christmas has been considered a national festival in Nepal. During this festival, believers dress up in their own traditional Nepali costumes and prepare and serve sweets according to their own tastes. In various programs organized in connection with Christmas, the knowledge and teachings shared by Jesus are discussed, and gifts are exchanged, expressing good wishes and love, and peace, harmony, prosperity, and good health are wished for.
Organizing Christmas festivals in the country's main cities, cleaning one's home, shopping, going to church and praying, cutting cakes, meeting friends and exchanging gifts and greetings, decorating church buildings and malls with Christmas trees, playing carols, receiving gifts from Santa Claus, holding Christmas-related evangelistic programs in public places, dancing, etc. are the main features of the Nepali Christmas festival.
The story of Christmas dates back about 2,000 years. According to the Bible, at that time, there was Roman rule. Jesus Christ came to earth to save the world from Roman rule.
On the day that Jesus was to be born, Mary and Joseph were on their way to Bethlehem. At that time, Bethlehem was very crowded. They could not find a place to stay. So they stayed in a horse stable for that night. That is where Jesus was born. Christmas Day is celebrated based on this story.
Western society celebrates Christmas with great pomp. At this time, rituals such as decorating a Christmas tree in every house, lighting colorful lights on it, and decorating toys are performed. According to some, Santa Claus (who is called Father Christmas) comes to everyone's door at this time.
For this reason, the house is also made sparkling. It is said that Santa Claus takes gifts and leaves them at the door. The special feature of this festival is the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, and gifts. At this time, Christmas hats and clothes with white trim on a red background are worn.
An interesting story related to Christmas is popular in Western society, especially for children. It is said that a peaceful Claus sits in the sky and watches the activities of children.
He takes stock of what the children have done well and what they have done badly. Then he rides a chariot pulled by golden deer and comes to everyone's house through the sky. He leaves special gifts for the children who do good deeds.
Perhaps children are inspired to follow the path of righteousness through religion. Christmas has an impact on the world economy. The market graph suddenly skyrockets. New items, food, clothes, decorative items, and gifts are bought and sold in stores. In America, Christmas is considered the shopping season.
The day is also known as Black Friday. This day ends with Thanksgiving. From entertainment to large industries, Christmas is used as a special opportunity to promote their products.
History is witness that human society celebrates the birthdays of its gods, leaders, and respected personalities with great enthusiasm and harmony. Be it Lord Krishna, Buddha, Guru Nanak, or Prophet Muhammad. Today is the birthday of Jesus, the founder of Christianity.
According to various ancient European documents, even before the advent of Christ on earth, it is mentioned that the festival of fire and light was celebrated in midwinter. Over time, this day began to be celebrated as Christmas. According to the Christian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 of every year, while some countries also celebrate it in December
The Christian calendar is divided into two parts: before the birth of Christ and after Anno Domini Christi. Today, Christmas is celebrated all over the world on this occasion by exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, organizing feasts, and visiting churches. In communities with nearby forests, the men of the house go to the forest, cut down the trunks of large trees, and burn them in the courtyard to celebrate this festival.
While studying English, we Nepalese have all read A for Apple, B for Ball, and X for X-Mass Tree. This tree, which looks like a small, decorated lamp in the picture, or a Christmas tree, is often seen these days. In the United States alone, 30 to 40 million such Christmas trees are bought and sold. They are bought today. Remember, it takes at least 15 years to prepare such trees. The traditional custom of killing and eating animals during festivals is widespread in human society. Today, many animals and birds, including chickens, are killed for food. Since it is difficult to send animals to graze in the middle of winter, and it is also difficult for shepherds to cut and bring grass or straw, the fact that the number of animals is reduced by killing them is also mentioned in various books.
The big attraction of Christmas is Santa Claus, a big, fat man with a red hat, white beard, and mustache who is believed to give gifts and spread happiness to everyone. Many children today do not sleep until late at night waiting for Santa Claus. Some people walk around dressed as Santa Claus, distributing and exchanging gifts and sweets. The 'Snow Man', made by collecting snow with a carrot for a nose, a red muffler, and an English hat, is very popular in the mountainous regions of foreign countries. Apart from that, there is also the custom of making snow birds, playing in the snow, and dancing.
Christians are celebrating Christmas. The biggest festival of Christians is celebrated with great pomp and show by organizing various programs. This festival is celebrated not only by Christians but also by non-Christians by organizing various entertainment programs. Due to the various signs and symbols associated with this festival, it can be seen that this festival is developing as a common festival for everyone. There are various symbols associated with Christmas. Such as the image of snow falling on a green tree, Santa Claus in red and white colors, and other such traditions are associated with Christmas. We have tried to provide general information about the importance and origin of those festivals.
The opinion of the people of Egypt and Rome on Christmas.
People associated with the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome used to decorate their houses with green plants and trees, which remain green all year round. They believed that by doing so, witches would not have any effect on the house. Evil spirits, ghosts, and diseases would run away. The people of ancient Egypt and Rome believed in the power and beauty of evergreen plants. It was from that time that they started keeping evergreen plants in their homes.
Special Christmas clothing regulations.
This tradition is believed to have started in Germany around the year 722. Saint Boniface of Germany came to know that some evil people were sacrificing children under a huge tree. Saint Boniface cut down that tree to save the child. However, another tree started growing near the same tree. Saint Boniface started preaching to the people that this was a holy tree. He compared the tree to God by saying that the branches of the tree turned towards heaven. This created a lot of respect in the minds of people for the tree.
A story associated with Martin Luther.
People also associate it with the great Christian reformer Martin Luther of the 16th century. However, this is not proven. According to this story, on Christmas Eve around 1500, he was walking through a snowy forest. On the way, he saw a tree shining with snow. The branches of the tree were covered with snow and were shining in the moonlight. Impressed by it, he came home. He planted a pine tree in his house. He also lit many candles on it. He prepared the tree to honor Jesus Christ. From that time on, the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree began.
When did the Christmas tree start to be decorated?
Prince Albert planted the first Christmas tree in 1841 at Windsor Castle in England. During the Victorian era, candles, cakes, etc., were placed on the tree along with these trees. It is believed that when Lord Jesus was born. At that time, representatives of heaven also came to congratulate his parents, Mary and Joseph. On that occasion, they made a tree shine by reflecting the light of the stars. It is believed that the process of decorating the Christmas tree began from there. Since then, Christians believe that the spring of happiness will fall on the house of those whose houses these trees are planted.
Belief in the longevity of children
It is also believed that the custom of lighting candles on Christmas Eve began in the 17th century. In ancient times, the Christmas tree was considered a symbol of life. It is also considered a symbol of the continuity of life. Therefore, it is said that decorating a Christmas tree at home on this day will increase the longevity of children.
Positive energy comes to the house.
It is also believed that keeping trees shaped like Christmas trees will develop positive energy in the house on the basis of Vastu. Such trees, which are prepared in a triangular shape, are considered a symbol of fire, one of the five elements. Therefore, it is believed that decorating it will remove negative energy from the house.
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