The Importance of Christmas: The origins of our traditions
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide. More than 2 billion people in over 160 countries around the world celebrate Christmas, which is rich with spiritual, cultural, and social significance. As the popular Christmas song by Andy Williams suggests, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many of us.
In this article we explore the importance of Christmas and some of the history, traditions and origins of the things that make up Christmas celebrations in the UK.
Religious Significance
For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus to humanity, lighting up generosity, compassion, goodwill, hope and love, and radiating joy. The Western Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December and the Eastern Church celebrates it on 6 January.
Some theories suggest that Christmas celebrations may have begun in the 4th century during the reign of the first Christian emperor, Constantine. Christmas didn't become a major Christian festival until the 9th century and the Christmas we know today, really took shape in Victorian times.
Traditions
Today, perhaps we take for granted the many Christmas traditions we have Families decorate Christmas trees, exchange gifts, give each other cards, sing carols and share festive meals, creating lasting memories, but where and when did these traditions begin?
Christmas Trees
Modern Christmas trees originated in Central Europe and the Baltic states, particularly Estonia, Germany and Livonia (now Latvia) during the Renaissance in early modern Europe.
Prince Albert introduced the tradition of Christmas trees to England during the Georgian period when King George III was on the throne. Albert and Queen Victoria were thought to have made decorating a tres fashionable and popular with the masses. Small table-top trees were first used until it became possible to get larger fir trees, which could be placed on the floor, ready for gifts to go underneath.
Christmas Cards
The first Christmas card is believed to have been designed in England in 1843 by John Callcott Horsley. The card depicted a family party in the centre, beneath which were the words “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You”. The idea had come from Callcott Horsley's friend, Henry Cole, who was looking for a time efficient method of dealing with all the Christmas wishes he had to send to friends, family and acquaintances. Cole had a thousand copies printed which he then personalised with a hand-written message.
Ready to find out more?
Find out more about our tradition of Christmas trees at BBC Newsround.
Christmas cards with a Robin theme
The first legend takes us back to Victorian times when the tradition of sending Christmas cards started. Royal Mail postmen, who wore bright red uniforms, delivered these cards. This earned them the nickname of ‘robin’ or ‘redbreast’.
Christmas cards convey messages of love, joy and peace, reflecting the spirit of this special season.
Christmas carols
Christmas hymns can be traced to 4th-century Rome and were in Latin. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Northern European monasteries developed the Christmas hymn into a sequence of rhymed stanzas. In the 13th century, in France, Germany, and particularly, Italy, under the influence of Francis of Assisi, a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in regional native languages developed.
Christmas carols in the English language first appear in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, an English chaplain, who lists twenty five "Carols of Christmas", probably sung by groups of wassailers who would travel from house to house.
Art and Creativity
Christmas is a season that inspires art and creativity, including vibrant decorations and festive crafts, festive food, music, literature, and performances. Have a look at these Christmas craft ideas for children and classic Christmas recipes, and two lovely Christmas story suggestions in our recent article by Eve Morton.
Cultural Importance
While rooted in Christianity, Christmas has become a celebration of kindness and community in many places. Many people, including non-religious people and people of other faiths, celebrate Christmas in a festive style and by giving gifts.
In essence, Christmas serves as a season to rejoice and prepare for the new year with hope and positivity, making it a treasured time for people around the world. Christmas inspires acts of kindness, charity, and sharing with those in need.
Whatever you do at Christmas, be it travelling home and cherishing memorable moments, celebrating with your friends and family, or bringing joy to those who need it, on behalf of Education North Tyneside, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the New Year!
Gëzuar Krishtlindjet
عيد ميلاد مجيد
Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ
میری کرسمس
Весела Коледа
圣诞节快乐
Mutlu Noeller
کریسمس مبارک
ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਿਸਮਸ
Crăciun fericit
счастливого Рождества
สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส
Maligayang Pasko
Joyeux Noël
sretan Božić
Veselé Vianoce
Feliz Navidad
Kirîstmas piroz be
Feliz Natal
Buon Natale
щасливого Різдва
Wesołych Świąt
καλά Χριστούγεννα
Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus
Linksmų Kalėdų
Giáng sinh vui vẻ
സന്തോഷകരമായ ക്രിസ്മസ്
boldog Karácsonyt
క్రిస్మస్ శుభాకాంక్షలు
क्रिसमस की बधाई
শুভ বড়দিন
Geseënde Kersfees
メリークリスマス
Frohe Weihnachten
Vesel Božič
Veselé Vánoce
کرسمس مو مبارک
ikini ọdun keresimesi
Kisimusi yakanaka
聖誕節快樂
Article by
Zuzana Puente
English as an additional language Teaching Assistant
The Inclusive Learning and Achievement Service (ILAS)
zuzana.puente@northtyneside.gov.uk