Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is more than lights, gifts and good food. It is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. 

But, perhaps surprisingly, the first Christians didn’t celebrate Christmas. In the early days of Christianity, Easter – marking the day that Jesus was resurrected back to life after dying on a cross – was the central event of the Church’s calendar

It was only centuries later, in 336 AD, that the first official Christmas celebration happened in Rome, originally established as the Feast of the Nativity. As Christianity spread, the once-popular winter festivals based on the solstice faded and celebrating the birth of Jesus became the focus.

The name ‘Christmas’ came from the Old English phrase Cristes Maesse (the Mass of Christ).  

First recorded in 1038, this mass refers to a religious observance and gathering that was held on what we now recognise more widely as Christmas Day. 

Over the centuries, customs and cultural practices associated with Christmas have developed from many sources, but many have taken on special meaning for people of faith. 

The traditions of giving gifts to children and people in need, decorating with evergreen plants that symbolise eternal life and unchanging love, and lighting fires to represent warmth and everlasting light have been associated with both pagan and Christian festivals. 

Christmas has always been more than just another historical event. For Christians, it still holds meaning. Christmas marks the moment God, in his love, came down to earth bringing hope, peace and joy for all people. 

There are many reasons we celebrate Christmas. 

Remembering the birth of Jesus 

Each year, people read and remember the Christmas story, as recorded in the Bible. 

It tells the story of events from about 2,000 years ago and, at its heart, is the baby Jesus lying in a manger. This is a familiar image for anyone who seen a Nativity play before. 

The birth of Jesus fulfilled ancient promises and opened the way for us to know God personally. One of the ancient promises recorded in the Bible is the hope of an encounter of ‘God with us’ – translated as ‘Immanuel’ or ‘Emmanuel’ in Hebrew, the language of the Scriptures when Jesus was born. 

Christians believe that this promise was fulfilled in Jesus, and that his birth took place so that we can have a relationship with God and enjoy the new life that he brings. 

Celebrating God’s love 

Christmas reminds us that God loves the world, and everyone in it. 

Christians understand God’s love to be an unconditional gift, freely given and unearned. In the Bible, this love is seen most clearly through Jesus, whose life was characterised by radical compassion towards those on the margins of society. 

The Christmas story sets the tone for this boundless love by taking place in ordinary surroundings among ordinary people. At Christmas, Christians celebrate that God’s love can meet us in everyday places and invites us to experience his extraordinary grace. 

Finding light in darkness 

In a world that often feels dark, Christmas shines with hope. 

A familiar sight in the Christmas story is the star which guided the wise men to Jesus. This star, although shining bright, was pointing to someone much brighter. 

Later in his life, Jesus referred to himself as ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12). Light shows the way in dark places, it reveals what we cannot see and it is a source of warmth and new life. 

This light is what Christians believe Jesus can bring to a person’s life. The light of Jesus is everlasting and never goes out. His presence brings peace and joy that no circumstance can take away. 

Sharing God’s gift with the world 

Christmas is more than a special time to be gathered with loved ones. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the One who loves us more than anything. 

We are invited to respond by receiving the love of Jesus and then sharing it with others. Just as the shepherds and the wise men encountered Jesus two thousand years ago, we can experience his presence and love with us today.