Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25th each year, and it has spread to many countries around the world. Many people celebrate by giving gifts to their loved ones, attending church services, or spending time with family.
Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. However, there are many other religions that celebrate Christmas as well. Some of them are Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. Read more in detail here: what religion celebrates christmas.
Many other religions exist, and some of those faiths celebrate Christmas. There are 4200 distinct faiths, and some of them celebrate Christmas, while others have their own winter festivals. Let’s have a look at how people of many religions celebrate Christmas.
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Who is it that celebrates Christmas?
It is, by definition, a Christian festival. Other faiths and even atheists, on the other hand, observe the occasion. This may be because the holiday has evolved to emphasize gift-giving and spending time with loved ones. And it’s something that a lot of people can participate in.
Buddhists are another group of individuals that celebrate Christmas. Many people still observe the holiday because they regard Jesus as a man and a teacher, rather than a messiah, as Christians do. They think his teachings are complementary to Buddha’s, who is believed to have attained enlightenment during the holiday season. And it is for this reason that they celebrate Christmas. During Christmas, Buddhists promote peace and kindness by giving presents and sending cards to loved ones.
What do people in other cultures do instead of celebrating Christmas?
Unsplash photo by Enrique Macias
Hanukkah
In the winter, rather of celebrating Christmas, Jews celebrate Hanukkah. The festival starts on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which falls anywhere between November and December.
Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday that literally means “festival of lights.” Every day, Jews light their menorahs and celebrate by spinning dreidels and eating delectable foods. Around 200 BC, the Jews were able to recover their country from the Seleucids, and the festival celebrates this.
Hindu religion Diwali Rangoli
Diwali
Diwali, which falls between October and November depending on the Lunar Calendar, is a Hindu festival celebrated by many Hindu households. The celebration of lights is known as Diwali. They are not to be confused with Hanukkah, despite their similar names.
Hindus will light oil lamps called diyas at Diwali and pray to the goddess Lakshmi, or a chosen God or Goddess connected with a specific area or group, for health and prosperity blessings for their family. They will construct a home altar with grains, flowers, sweets, and spices for the prayer. Hindus also decorate with a colorfully patterned Rangoli, a floor design composed of colored powders, sand, spices, beans, and lentils, which is a traditional Diwali tradition. The festival of Diwali is marked by fireworks and candles.
Unsplash photo by Rawan Yasser
Is Christmas observed by Muslims?
Christmas is not observed by Muslims. Eid, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, is Islam’s most important holy holiday.
Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic holy calendar; but, since it follows the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, it will not always occur at the same time of year. Because of the changing dates of the festivities, Ramadan is likely to fall around the Christmas season.
Muslims fast for a month during Ramadan. Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.
Muslims worship and spend time with their family at this period. They celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, the celebration of breaking the fast, at the conclusion of Ramadan. Muslims would dress up in their best clothing and gather with family and friends to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr.
Unsplash photo by Caroline Hernandez
What is the name of Christmas in other religions?
Christmas is known by many different names all throughout the globe. Whether you believe or not, you will be aware of the festival by something. Christmastide is a term used by some to describe the season. Although in other places, Christmastide lasts from Christmas Eve until after New Year’s or Epiphany. Epiphany is a feast day celebrated on January 6th to honor God via Christ.
Christmas in France is known as Noel, a term derived from a Latin verb that meaning “to be born.” People may say “Joyeux Noel,” which translates to “Merry Christmas.”
People who are Roman Catholics may refer to the day as the Feast of Nativity. This is because, in the fourth century AD, Pope Julius of the Church of Rome decreed that Christians would commemorate Jesus’ birth with a feast known as the Feast of Nativity.
Although, nowadays, we think of the tableau portraying infant Jesus in the manger with Mary, Joseph, and the barn animals when we hear the word nativity. The wise men are present in certain nativity scenes, but the whole tableau has become a powerful Christian icon.
Unsplash photo by Hulki Okan Tabak
Is it true that Christmas is a pagan holiday?
The festival is Christian in nature. Some of the Christmas customs, on the other hand, are derived from pagan festival celebrations.
Having a large dinner with your loved ones on Christmas, for example. The pagans would celebrate Yuletide and the Winter Solstice with a feast. Having a tree pushed up in your house is another example. Despite the fact that many people believe this is a German custom, pagans were the first to congregate around trees to celebrate.
What is the etymology of the word “Christmas” in paganism?
Pagans do not celebrate Christmas, although they do have a Yuletide celebration. Prior to the establishment of Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus in December, Pagans observed the winter solstice around the same time.
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Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The main day of celebration is December 25th, but there are also celebrations on January 6th and February 2nd. Reference: what religion celebrates passover.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do different religions celebrate at Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated by many different religions. Some of these are the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu faiths.
What do other cultures celebrate instead of Christmas?
There are a wide variety of celebrations that take place around the world during this time. Some cultures celebrate Christmas, while others celebrate winter solstice or other holidays.