Christmas

Christmas Festival falls on 25th day of December every year and commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.

The word 'Christmas' comes from 'Cristes Maesse', or "Christ's Mass." Historians claim that Christmas Festival was first celebrated in Rome circa 336 AD. In early times, there was a controversy on the date of Christmas celebrations as the exact date of Christ's birth was not known. But in 336 AD, Christian leaders fixed the Christmas date to December 25. This date was mainly an attempt to eclipse Saturnalia - a popular pagan holiday in Rome that celebrated the winter solstice. Gradually, the 25th December got acceptance from the Western World and later even Eastern Churches started celebrating Christmas Day on December 25th.

The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years as the various custom and tradition associated with the festival of Christmas were celebrated centuries before the birth of Christ. The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.

The History Of Christmas can be traced to some of the popular festival celebrated by early civilization that gave way to Christmas.