Christmas: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Christmas (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Christmas, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you may want to know about Christmas.

📅 What day is Christmas 2024?

In 2024, Christmas is on Monday, December 25th. It is the 4th Monday in December; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the fun details and facts about December 25, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Each year, on December 25th, we come together to commemorate Christmas. This special day provides an opportunity to bond with loved ones, honor a significant Christian holiday, engage in playful traditions, and simply spread joy during the holiday season. Throughout history, Christmas has evolved into a global celebration that encompasses both religious and non-religious aspects, offering numerous enjoyable activities for families to partake in.

📜 Christmas History

The exact details of Jesus’ birth, such as when and where it happened, remain unknown. The apostles in the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, describe similar events but do not provide a specific date for Jesus’ birth. Around 221 A.D., Sextus Julius Africanus, an early Christian historian, established December 25 as an approximate date for Christmas.

Historians believe that the early church chose December 25 as the official date for Christmas to connect the birth of the Son of God with the “rebirth of the sun” that occurs after the winter equinox. Another viewpoint suggests that Jesus’ conception date was March 25, the spring equinox, making his birth date December 25, nine months later.

Initially, the Church declared January 6 as Jesus’ baptismal day and the correct date for Christmas. However, by the 9th century, Christmas had become a minor holy day.

Over time, Europeans developed various Christmas traditions. For example, in Strasbourg, homes started decorating fir trees with apples. The practice of giving gifts as a symbol of the Magi’s offerings to baby Jesus began in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fir wreaths with 24 candles, representing the 24 days leading up to Christmas, eventually evolved into safer versions with four candles by the 19th century. Christmas customs eventually spread beyond Europe and became part of the traditions in Latin and North America, as well as other regions around the world.

✅ Christmas Facts

🔖 $29.14 spending on Christmas cards
On average, American consumers spend approximately $29.14 on Christmas cards.

🔖 More than half of Americans buy gifts online
Around 64% of customers in the United States buy gifts through online shopping.

🔖 26 million Xmas trees
In the year 2015, approximately 26 million Christmas trees were bought, and the average price for each tree was $50.82.

👍 Why Is Christmas Important

In the Christian religion, the Christmas festival commemorates the sacred birth of Christ. The Three Wise Men came bearing gifts to see the newborn Jesus, and they embody the season’s spirit of giving gifts to others. It aids in the recall of loving, caring, and forgiving gestures.

Christmas is one of the happiest holidays! Some others celebrate it only for the sake of having fun or spending time with relatives. There’s nothing quite like the beautiful Christmas spirit, with houses decked out in colorful lights and beautifully decorated pine trees and the delicious smell of hot cocoa and spices filling the air.

Christmas is the one time of year when collections of finely knit, red-and-green light-up sweaters adorned with bows, glitter, and trinkets emerge from cardboard boxes. These magnificent outfits (some of which may glow with lights or sing a Christmas tune) are only seen during this festive season.

🙂 How To Observe Christmas

⚡ Organize a Christmas potluck
Invite your loved ones to come together for a unique potluck gathering. One of the most important traditions during Christmas is to connect with the people who matter to you and spread the warmth of love and compassion. By sharing a meal, you will not only satisfy their appetites but also bring happiness and contentment to their hearts.

⚡ Make your own Advent calendar
Create a calendar filled with scrumptious goodies for the entire month to bring happiness during the festive season. Craft your own Advent calendar using items like paper bags, a muffin tin, envelopes, or any common household objects, and add cute and unique little treats to enjoy each day. These calendars make perfect holiday gifts or a delightful way to indulge yourself every day throughout December.

⚡ Spread cheer
During the holiday season, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring joy to those around you, enhancing your own enjoyment of this time of year. Share your favorite Christmas tune by whistling, greet everyone with a smile, and wish them a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Your festive spirit will inspire others to feel the same way.

📅 When is Christmas?

View all 🔗 December holidays, including 🔗 Federal and other 🔗 Christian holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Christmas. So be sure to check back soon.