Christmas is a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. According to biblical accounts in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah. Although the exact date of his birth remains unknown, December 25 was officially designated by the Roman Church in 354 AD to align with existing pagan festivals like Saturnalia (a Roman winter solstice celebration) and the birth of the sun god Mithra. This strategic choice aimed to integrate Christian traditions into widespread cultural practices .
Early celebrations combined religious observances with pre-Christian customs. For example, Mesopotamian New Year festivals (Zagmuk and Sacaea) involved gift exchanges, feasts, and role reversals between masters and servants. Similarly, the Roman Saturnalia featured decorations with evergreen plants and candles, which later influenced modern Christmas traditions like the Christmas tree and lights .
The term "Christmas" derives from the Old English phrase "Cristes maesse" (Mass of Christ). The abbreviation "Xmas" uses the Greek letter Chi (Χ), the first letter of Christos (Greek for "Christ"), combined with "mas" (mass), reflecting the holiday's religious roots .
圣诞节的意义
1. Religious Significance（宗教意义）
Christmas is primarily a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, symbolizing hope and salvation in Christian theology. The story emphasizes humility (Jesus born in a manger) and divine love, as described in the Bible: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16) .
2. Cultural Integration（文化融合）
Many traditions, such as gift-giving, caroling, and decorating trees, originated from pagan festivals but were reinterpreted through a Christian lens. For instance, the Yule log traces back to Norse winter solstice rituals, while Santa Claus evolved from Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for generosity .
3. Global Celebration（全球性节日）
Today, Christmas transcends religious boundaries, becoming a universal cultural event. It emphasizes family reunions, charity, and joy. In Western cultures, Santa Claus and reindeer-themed folklore dominate, whereas Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 7 due to differences in the Julian and Gregorian calendars .
圣诞节的英文表达
圣诞节既是纪念诞生的宗教节日，也是融合多元文化的全球庆典。其名称和日期体现了历史与信仰的交织，而传统习俗则反映了人类对光明、团聚与善意的永恒追求 。
