Christmas festival or Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, X-mas is a major holiday for Catholics. This holiday is held annually to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Not only that, Christmas is also an opportunity for family members to gather and reunite, for everyone to show love, care, and share with those around them.
In the previous article, you must have known the origin and meaning of the Christmas festival. Today let's find out what day is Christmas this year? At the same time, know how to distinguish between December 24 and December 25 during this special holiday.
In 2022, what day is Christmas?
Like every year, Christmas will take place from the night of December 24 to the end of December 25 (Gregorian calendar). Because according to Jewish beliefs, a new day will begin at sunset, not dawn. Therefore, they often celebrate Christmas on the night of December 24 (Vigil) before starting the official ceremony on December 25 (Main Day).
In 2022, Christmas Eve will fall on Saturday (December 24 of the solar calendar) and the official Christmas day will be Sunday (December 25 of the solar calendar).
Distinguish between December 24 and December 25 during Christmas
Night of December 24 - The "vigil" day of Christmas
According to Roman Catholicism, the "vigil mass" on the night of December 24 is held to attract more participants. From cathedrals, streets to family apartments, all are splendidly decorated with typical Christmas symbols such as a crib with a manger, statues of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the month of Joseph and various types of livestock. Statues of the Three Kings, angels...
In addition, December 24 is also associated with the birth of the Christmas tree. Between 2000 and 1200 BC, people told each other about an Epicea pine tree decorated with flowers, fruits and wheat, associated with December 24 - the day of rebirth of the Sun.
Legend has it that in the 7th century, an English monk, Saint Boniface (born in 680), was on a pilgrimage when he met a group of pagans worshiping around a large oak tree and using a child to sacrifice to the god. .
To save the child, Saint Boniface knocked down the oak tree with one punch and a small pine tree grew in its place. Saint Boniface told pagans that the small pine tree was the tree of life, symbolizing the eternal life of the Savior. Therefore, the pine tree has become an indispensable symbol of Christmas.
December 25 - The main day of Christmas
Many people believe that December 25 is the day Jesus was born, so December 25 is the official Christmas day. However, up to now there is no document to confirm this for sure. All we know is that Jesus was born one dark night, in a barn at a small inn. Some shepherds, informed by the angel, came to worship God.
Since then, Christmas has been celebrated by Christians. However, due to the prohibition of the Roman government, they secretly chose December 25 to celebrate - coinciding with the Roman "Feast of The Sol invictus" festival.
In 312, Roman Emperor Constantine I abandoned theism for Christianity. He abolished the sacrifice to the Sun God. And December 25 every year becomes the birthday celebration of Jesus. But it was not until the year 354 that Pope Libero officially announced December 25 as the day for everyone to celebrate Christmas. And Christianity began to be popular around the fourth century, so Christmas was celebrated regularly and regularly.
Therefore, December 25 is just a convention day for the whole world to commemorate a real historical event, the Son of God coming to earth as a human, completing the mission of saving humanity, bringing peace. peace and happiness to everyone.
With the information shared above, hopefully you know what day Christmas is in 2022. At the same time, you can distinguish the night of December 24 and December 25 during Christmas. If you need to prepare Christmas gifts for loved ones or friends, please visit the Mykingdom website at: https://xmas.mykingdom.com.vn/ to freely choose gifts with many attractive offers.