Friday 19 December 2014

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a day on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In ancient times, Christmas was celebrated on several different dates because they did not know exactly the date of Jesus' birth. It was only in the fourth century that December 25 was established as the official date of celebration. 
In ancient Rome, December 25 was the date on which the Romans celebrated the beginning of winter. Therefore, it is believed that there is a relationship of this fact with the institutionalization of the Christmas celebration.
The old Christmas celebrations used to last up to 12 days, as this was the time it took for the three Wise Men arrive to the city of Bethlehem and deliver gifts to the infant Jesus. Currently, people often put up their trees and other Christmas decorations in early December and dismantle them until 12 days after Christmas.
From a chronological point of view, Christmas / Jesus' birth is a date of great importance to the West as it marks the first year in our history.

1 comment:

  1. Dear Beatriz,
    Thank you so much for your lovely text explaining a bit of our Christmas celebrations. It's fantastic to have such great input by so many of you, adding a bit here and there. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, sweetie :)

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