We explain what Christmas is and what is the origin of this famous celebration. Also, how is Christmas considered today.
What is christmas?
The word Christmas comes from the Latin word for "birth" and refers to the arrival of the son of God, Jesus Christ, to the earthly world.
On Christmas day a party is celebrated in his name, on December 25, however, it is not a general rule, it only counts for some religions and churches such as Protestant, Catholic, Anglican and some Orthodox (a part of the Orthodox churches that do not have the same calendar as the previous ones, celebrate their feast on January 7).
Christmas origin
Jesus of Nazareth is the name of the historical character, that is, the name by which he is recognized in the science of history. Jesus, Christ or Jesus Christ is the central figure of the Christian religion that influences much of the culture western.
This character was a Jewish prophet or preacher who lived in the Judea and Galilee areas, for his ideas and for the power of his statements he was crucified in Jerusalem around the age of thirty. Christians consider him the son of God and the Messiah.
According to the tradition, was sentenced to scourge and crucifixion under the government by Poncio Pilato. These events are narrated in the gospel as "the passion". His suffering and his death along with the doctrines of salvation and atonement (removal of guilt or a sin committed through a third party, currently a priest where the guilty person is absolved of the contained penalty) are the fundamental pillars of this theology. Here it is understood that this character died on the cross to save humanity from death and make people's souls access the "Kingdom of Heaven" in a sacrifice or payment that had to be made to God.
According to him myth and the writings of one of the gospels, Mary and her husband Joseph lived in Bethlehem one town Palestine, located south of Jerusalem. An angel tells Joseph that his wife becomes pregnant by the Holy Spirit and that her son will be the Messiah that the Jews await.
However, another gospel is more specific about the story, narrating that the spouses live in the Galilee city of Nazareth, located in the north of Israel, between the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Galilee and the Valley of Jezreel and simply go to the city of Bethlehem by a census, since José was a native of the place. Here also a small difference, the News of pregnancy according to this version is recited by the angel Gabriel to Mary in "The Annunciation."
Christmas today
As for the current festival, it involves various traditions. A great banquet is usually held at a dinner that takes place on December 24, as if waiting until midnight, in other words, the birth. A tree is assembled and decorated, people sing songs according to the date. called Christmas carols and mangers or nativity scenes are built, which means creating models of Bethlehem, the night that some wise men leave the baby Jesus gifts for being born and go to the stable where the family It's reunited.
Today, Christmas has exceeded the limits of religion itself and is not linked to Christianity. The current symbol is that of Santa Claus, or also known as Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas. This figure was based on and inspired by a Greek bishop who gave children toys at midnight on December 25. As mentioned, this celebration is not linked to the belief religious, since even atheists often celebrate the celebration or also those who do not practice religion and simply enjoy food, meeting with loved ones, the Christmas tree and gifts.
The market industry pushed middle-class families to spend a full salary or much of it to purchase decoration and gifts for Christmas Eve. He made it a necessity, transforming this festive date into a materialistic one. However, it cannot be said that the spirit of belief is non-existent, since the children came to have the central role, it is they who hold the belief in Santa Claus and their family is the one who continues year after year promoting this spirit. Christmas.
Today this holiday is associated with time to express the feeling of peace, from love, sincerity, joy, communication with other people, to sing, also to dance, from take decisions positive, but also to forgive and forget, to be united by visiting those you love. It became a time of reconciliation with loved ones and with self-awareness, the gift can represent something material but even the simplest has value.