No matter what someone’s background is, they more than likely have celebrated Christmas before.
After all, Christmas is an extremely fun and pleasant experience for people to take part in.
Whether it’s the notion of gift-giving, seeing loved ones, or enjoying the holiday, there are countless reasons why Christmas is such an ideal holiday.
Still, there is some confusion over whether or not Christmas is a celebration or commemoration.
So, is Christmas a celebration or commemoration?
To answer this question…Christmas is both a celebration and commemoration, depending on who you ask. Religious Christians will refer to it as a commemoration for the birth of Jesus Christ. In contrast, millions of others across the globe celebrate it as a cultural holiday. No matter what someone’s reason is, it’s a popular holiday for a reason as it’s a time to spread joy and enjoy the gift that is life.
Still, like any other holiday or event, there is a lot attached to Christmas being a celebration or commemoration.
In fact, some people are actually offended if people don’t celebrate it for the same reason they do.
Regardless, we’re going to discuss everything there is to know about Christmas being a celebration or a commemoration.
We’ll highlight why it’s celebrated, commemorated, when it wasn’t celebrated, who celebrates the holiday, and much more.
Let’s take a look!
Why is Christmas celebrated?
From a cultural perspective, people celebrate Christmas for the primary reason that it’s been a part of society for such a long time.
After all, the notion of a Christmas celebration first began almost 2000 years ago.
Since then, it has emerged as the most popular time of year for gift-giving and celebrating.
Besides the cultural importance of Christmas, there is the consumerist impact of it.
It’s the most profitable time of year for so many businesses since it’s a time for gift giving.
Just about every person has seen the insane videos of crowded stores and malls leading up to Christmas, especially around Black Friday.
Lastly, there is the family and friend point to make with Christmas since so many people get together and spend time on the holiday.
This happens to be a holiday year where kids will visit their parents from different states; long-time friends will get together, and so on.
It’s a fun time, no matter how you look at it.
Why is Christmas commemorated?
Besides the notion of a Christmas celebration culturally, there is another point to make with it being a commemoration.
This commemoration stems from the birth of Jesus Christ.
Even people who aren’t highly religious will acknowledge the day as a commemoration of Jesus’s birthday.
People vary in commemorating the day, with some going to church, making large dinners, gift-giving, etc.
Many of these practices are involved with Christmas regardless of someone’s religious background.
Since it’s such a large part of societal culture, people look forward to the day for many reasons, not just for religious purposes.
Still, this hasn’t stopped many people from getting angry at others who don’t share the same religious beliefs.
Although the people that get angry in such a way aren’t a majority, it’s still a news story every time Christmas pops up.
Regardless, definitely celebrate Christmas in your own way and enjoy the holiday for what it is.
When was Christmas not celebrated?
Seeing as Christmas has been around for almost 2000 years, many people have wondered when it wasn’t celebrated.
Since its inception, there have been moments throughout time where it wasn’t celebrated, depending on where you live.
For example, back when the 13 North American colonies existed, the holiday was banned in the Boston colony in the mid to late 1600s.
Around the same time, the holiday was also banned in England for similar reasons.
More recently, Albania had a ban on Christmas for much of the 20th century.
There are also a few countries where it’s either banned or not as prevalent of a holiday.
Plus, many people don’t celebrate it and have a different religious holiday around the same time.
Who celebrates Christmas?
When asked who celebrates Christmas, many people would answer by saying Christians celebrate the holiday.
Although this is true, many non-Christians, including people with a lack of faith or other faith also celebrate the holiday.
Christmas has turned into more of a cultural holiday over the last 50 years or so.
Seeing as the holiday is all about spreading joy, gift-giving, being kind, and much more, it makes sense why so many partake in it, regardless of their faith.
Still, this doesn’t mean many people don’t celebrate the holiday for religious reasons.
There are plenty of people who celebrate the holiday as both.
Who commemorates Christmas?
For a slightly different language difference, the correct answer to Christians celebrating Christmas would be Christians commemorating Christmas.
Commemorate means to remember, and that’s what the basis of Christmas is about since it’s a day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Again, the phrasing doesn’t matter all that much since people will celebrate Christmas whether it’s in a church or just at the comfort of their home.
In reality, people can do whatever they want for the holiday, as long as it doesn’t harm those around them.
So, if someone wants to only eat food with friends on Christmas or go to church for a couple of hours, all of that is fine.
How was Christmas celebrated in the past?
Prior to the 19th century, Christmas was primarily celebrated at public gatherings.
Rather than enjoy the holiday at the comfort of your home or a loved one’s home, towns would get together at the public square to celebrate the holiday.
However, that changed in the 19th century would families honored the holiday at home.
Does everyone celebrate Christmas?
As you can probably guess, there are plenty of people who don’t celebrate Christmas.
After all, there are a handful of countries that have actually banned the holiday, making it illegal for people to celebrate it.
Not to mention the number of people who have a different religious holiday around the same time as Christmas.