As Christmas Eve starts, the realisation of the year-end steadily marches closer, and the merry cheers of carols get louder. The auspicious day of Christmas celebrates the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the saviour of the weak and a selfless leader who always thought of humankind's wellbeing. The foundation of Christianity was formed based on the teachings of Jesus Christ who was believed to be the son of God. December 25 is celebrated widely by Christians both alike as the world witnesses a festive galore around the numerous countries and cities which are adorned with gorgeous embellishments. Christians believe that Christ had descended upon the earth to spread peace and love when the world was filled with greed and inhumane practices.
1. The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem's stable on December 25 is widely celebrated as Christmas day, a day filled with joyous festive ceremonies. The day serves deeper meaning for the believers of Christianity as the Bible has said that Jesus Christ was the son of God.
2. Christ was born to Mother Mary and Saint Joseph when the world was tarnished with greed, hatred, and ignorance and it is believed that he came to land to spread the message of peace, according to the holy book. It is also believed that Jesus Christ had sacrificed his life for the sins of humanity.
3. With singing carols in choirs, baking special Christmas cakes, and having get-togethers with family members to indulging in religious Christian rituals, the day is filled with exuberant cheers of people. People often arrange memorable parties with their close to jointly celebrate Christmas and mark the year-end with pleasant memories.
4. Believers of Christianity celebrate the auspicious day every year by attending special midnight mass at churches and exchanging gifts. Christians offer prayers to God recalling the sacrifice of Christ for the sake of humanity and spreading his message of peace, morality, and love.
5. People from all over the world decorate their homes with Christmas trees and other decorations items like bells, stars, and lights. They also make a stable that symbolises the birthplace of Christ and decorate it.
6. Decorating the Christmas tree with a star on top of it is one of the most common practices for the day. The star is said to guide people to their destiny as it is believed that the northern star in history had guided the visitors to the stable where Christ was born.
7. The day is referred differently in different countries around the globe as it is called Yuletide in Germany, Navidad in Spanish, Natale in Italian, and Noël in French. As the Gregorian calendar did not exist back when Christ was born, the date of his birth had no proof. Later, Pope Julius I had announced December 25 as the day marking the birth of Christ.
8. Santa Claus is another important part of Christmas that is universally believed. He is the most loved and awaited name for all children who continue to believe that as the bells jingle, Santa will drop by their gifts on midnight of Christmas Day.
9. It is believed that the mythical figure of Santa resides in the North Pole with his helper elves. He rides his sleigh that is pulled by reindeers to fly over houses and drop gifts, as per the children's tale.
10. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, people were observed celebrating the day through video calls on the internet last year. Delhi and several states in India have also put restrictions on parties and large-scale celebrations of Christmas and New Year as the Omicron threat looms over the country.
