Liturgical day · kjv
What Is Christmas?
Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation — the moment God entered human history as a baby in Bethlehem. It is one of the two highest feasts of the Christian year.
History & Origin
The earliest record of Christmas being celebrated on December 25 dates to the 4th century in Rome. The date was likely chosen both to counter Roman solstice festivals and to align with an ancient tradition that placed Christ's conception on March 25 (nine months earlier). The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell the Christmas story — the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, the manger, the shepherds and the angels, the star, and the visit of the Magi. What began as a quieter liturgical feast has become, in many parts of the world, the most culturally observed Christian holiday.
How It Is Observed
Christmas is marked by special church services (including Midnight Mass or Christmas Eve services), the reading of the Christmas story, carol singing, gift-giving in imitation of the Magi's gifts to Christ, and meals shared with family. The 12 days of Christmas begin on December 25 and end at Epiphany (January 6). Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, following the Julian calendar.
Scripture for Christmas
Luke 2:7
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:11
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December 25 the actual birthdate of Jesus?
Scripture does not tell us the exact date. The choice of December 25 was liturgical rather than historical — most scholars accept that the actual date is unknown. What matters to Christian tradition is the fact of the incarnation, not the specific date.
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?
Christians celebrate the incarnation — that God took on human flesh to dwell among us. It is the starting point of the gospel story: before Christ could die for sin, he had to be born.
What does the Christmas story teach?
The Christmas story reveals that God comes in humility — not to a palace, but to a stable; not to the powerful, but to shepherds. It teaches that the Kingdom of God arrives quietly, among the lowly, and that God's glory is hidden in weakness.
When do the 12 Days of Christmas begin?
The 12 Days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day (December 25) and end on Epiphany (January 6). In traditional Christian practice, the celebration continues through these days — the opposite of the modern pattern where celebration peaks before Christmas and ends immediately after.