CHRISTMAS, the traditional anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Protestants and Roman Catholics observe this anniversary on December 25. Eastern Orthodox and Armenian churches observe Christ’s birth either on December 25 or January 6.

Neither the term Christmas (a derivative of Christ + Mass) nor the actual celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Christ is recorded in the Bible. Early Christians did meet regularly to commemorate the death, Resurrection and promised return of Christ (1 Cor 11:20-34).

Authorities are not agreed concerning the precise date of Christ’s birth. Neither is there agreement concerning the time at which the celebration of Christmas actually began in the churches. Clement of Alexandria, toward the close of the 2nd cent. a.d., cites diverse views concerning the date of Christ’s birth among early churchmen (Stromata, Bk. 1, ch. 21). Some believe that his early reference to the remembrance of Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist among the Basilidans included a joint observance remembering both His baptism by John and His birth, since early churchmen in the E seemed to believe that Christ’s baptism and birth were on the same calendar dates. By the end of the 4th cent., the eastern churches had adopted special services commemorating jointly the birth of Christ, the adoration of the Magi, and Christ’s baptism by John. Apparently, these services were held at first on January 6, but later were divided between December 25 and January 6. Augustine points to the prevailing tradition in the 5th cent. among western churches concerning the birth of Christ and the observance of Christmas. “For He is believed to have been conceived on the 25th of March, upon which day also He suffered;...But He was born according to tradition upon December the 25th” (De Trinitate, Bk. IV, ch. 5).

It is probable that diverse traditions in the Early Church regarding the precise time of Christ’s conception led to the differences of dating for Christmas observances in the E and W. As early as a.d. 336 the observance of Christmas on December 25 was widespread among western churches.

Today in most western churches, the observance of Christmas emphasizes the immediate events surrounding the birth of Christ. While most Christians do not attempt to be dogmatic about the precise date of Christ’s birth, it is now traditional to observe the 25th of December in memory of His coming into the world.

During the period dating from the earliest general celebrations of Christmas, numerous customs have been introduced into the event. Originally, it appears that a special religious ceremony marked the occasion. Gradually a number of the prevailing practices of the nations into which Christianity came were assimilated and were combined with the religious ceremonies surrounding Christmas. The assimilation of such practices generally represented efforts by Christians to transform or absorb otherwise pagan practices.

The Feast of Saturnalia in early Rome, for example, was celebrated for seven days from the 17th to the 24th of December and was marked by a spirit of merriment, gift giving to children and other forms of entertainment. Gradually, early Christians replaced the pagan feast with the celebration of Christmas; but many of the traditions of this observance were assimilated and remain to this day a part of the observance of Christmas. Other nations, the Scandinavians, Germans, French, English and others have left their mark on the observance as well. Some groups refrain from celebrating Christmas on the grounds that the introduction of pagan practices has destroyed the original significance of the occasion. They cite the use of Christmas trees and the yule log, among other things, as examples of the paganization of Christmas. Yet many Christians contend that such practices no longer bear pagan connotations, and believe that the observance of Christmas provides an opportunity for worship and witness bearing.

The Biblical emphasis connected with the birth of Jesus Christ is evidenced by adoration and worship (Luke 2:8-12); the giving of gifts to God (Matt 2:1-11); and expressions of peace and goodwill (Luke 2:13, 14).

Bibliography Augustine, De Trinitate, IV, 5, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, III (1887), 74; Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, I, 21, The Ante-Nicene Fathers, II (1887), 333, 334; L. Duchesne, Christian Worship: Its Origin and Evolution, 4th ed. (1912), 257-265A; K. Lake, “Christmas,” Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, III (1924), 601-608.