BEHIND THE CHRISTMAS

PART OF SERIES, "PASKO 2025: DISCOVER THE CHRISTMAS"

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Photo: Tasyooo / Pinterest

Introduction

Can you feel it in the air? Joy is everywhere, It's Christmas! Yes, you heard that right! There's Jungle Bells, Christmas Gifts, or having vacation. So, what's behind the Christmas?

Behind "Christmas"

Christmas is an annual festival observed on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a major religious and cultural celebration worldwide, marked by a blend of Christian and secular traditions. 

The name "Christmas" is a shortened form of "Christ's Mass" (from the Old English Cristes mæsse), referring to the celebration of the Eucharist in memory of Christ. The day is observed as a public holiday in many countries (CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Christmas, n.d.).

While the exact date of Jesus' birth is not specified in the Bible, December 25 was chosen by the church in the 4th century. This date likely coincided with existing Roman pagan festivals, such as the dies natalis solis invicti (birthday of the unconquered sun) and Saturnalia, allowing early Christian leaders to absorb non-Christian followers and traditions into the new faith (Goddard, 2024).

Origins

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth as the son of God. The primary accounts of this event are found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament. Which is many believed that prophecies like "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (God with us)" (Isaiah 7:14), fulfilled this story.

During that time, the calendar was using Hebrew and Roman Calendar, though the New Testament writers did not record specific calendar dates for his birth. Instead, they used historical markers, such as "in the days of Herod the king" (Lucey, n.d.).

Clue Suggestions

Some early Christian historians, like Sextus Julius Africanus, calculated that Jesus was conceived on March 25 (the spring equinox), leading to a birth date nine months later on December 25. However, Luke 2:8 describes shepherds living out in the fields at night. In Judea, this typically occurred from spring through early fall. In December, the weather was often too cold and rainy for shepherds to remain outdoors at night (Why Is Christmas in December?, 2018).

The date coincided with major Roman celebrations like Saturnalia and the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun" (Sol Invictus). The Church likely adopted this date to offer a Christian alternative to these popular festivals. Adopting the date of a pagan festival for a Christian holiday like Christmas is a historical process often debated as either religious syncretism (mixing) or Christianization (redemption) (Novak, 2025).

Filipino Tradition

Filipino Christmas traditions are celebrated during the world's longest holiday season, beginning on September 1st with the "Ber months" and often extending into January. This period emphasizes deep religious devotion, elaborate family feasts, and unique communal customs. The most iconic symbol of a Filipino Christmas is the parol, a star-shaped lantern representing the Star of Bethlehem. These lanterns, traditionally made of bamboo and paper, now often feature complex LED light shows and capiz shells.(10 Unique Filipino Christmas Traditions | Newport World Resorts, 2024).

From December 16 to 24, many Filipinos attend Simbang Gabi, a nine-day series of dawn masses held as early as 4:00 AM. Completing all nine masses is traditionally believed to grant a special wish. On Christmas Day, children pay respect to their elders by performing págmamáno—pressing the back of the elder's hand to their forehead. In return, they receive aguinaldo (gifts), which are frequently cash envelopes from godparents (ninong and ninang). Groups of carolers, often children using improvised instruments like bottle-cap tambourines, visit homes to sing for small donations. Monito-Monita is a popular Secret Santa gift exchange common in schools and offices (Dizon, 2025).

Beyond its religious roots, Christmas has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon and a significant economic event. It is a time for fostering community, reflection, generosity, and promoting themes of hope, joy, and goodwill among people of all backgrounds.

Reference

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Christmas. (n.d.). Www.newadvent.org. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm

‌Goddard, D. (2024, November 28). Why do we celebrate Christmas on 25 December? Findmypast.com. https://www.findmypast.com/blog/history/why-do-we-celebrate-christmas-on-25-december

‌Lucey, C. (n.d.). When Was Jesus Born? Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/when-was-jesus-born.html

‌Why Is Christmas in December? (2018, December 14). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-christmas-in-december

‌Novak, T. (2025, November 25). Why Christmas Has Pagan Origins and Christian Adaptations. Alibaba.com. https://party.alibaba.com/christmas/why-is-christmas-a-pagan-holiday

‌10 Unique Filipino Christmas Traditions | Newport World Resorts. (2024). 10 Unique Filipino Christmas Traditions | Newport World Resorts. https://www.newportworldresorts.com/blog-articles/10-unique-filipino-christmas-traditions

‌Dizon, M. (2025, November 21). World Pinoy Flights. Pinoy Blog. https://blog.worldpinoyflights.com/unique-filipino-christmas-traditions/

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