The meaning of Christmas is to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
It is said that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. God even sent the angel Gabriel to Yue Se in his dream, telling him not to abandon Maria just because she was unmarried and pregnant, but to marry her and name the child "Jesus", which means to save people from sin. In order to commemorate the birth of Jesus, later generations designated1February 25th as Christmas and celebrated mass every year.
Christmas is a religious holiday. /kloc-In the 20th century, the popularity of Christmas cards and the appearance of Santa Claus made Christmas gradually popular. After the Christmas celebration custom became popular in northern Europe, Christmas decorations combined with winter in the northern hemisphere also appeared.
By the middle of the19th century, the whole of Europe and America began to celebrate Christmas. And derived the corresponding Christmas culture. After the reform and opening up, Christmas spread especially in China. At the beginning of 2 1 century, Christmas was organically combined with local customs in China, and it developed more and more maturely. Eating apples, wearing Christmas hats, sending Christmas cards, attending Christmas parties and Christmas shopping have become a part of China people's life.
Nowadays, the images of Christmas, Santa Claus and Christmas tree are deeply rooted in the hearts of children all over the world. When Christmas comes, many parents will tell their children about the origin and customs of Christmas, so that children can understand the meaning behind Christmas, know how to love, know how to share, and know how to be grateful and return.
What does Christmas mean to China?
1, China's economic development and the improvement of people's living standards.
More and more people in China celebrate Christmas, which is a symbol of the country's economic development and the improvement of residents' living standards. The more developed the economy, the higher the income of residents, the stronger the material foundation of residents, the stronger the pursuit of leisure, and the more holidays.
2. The deepening of cultural exchanges between China and the West and the role of western strong economy.
China is opening to the outside world more and more. A large number of European and American multinational companies entered China, and a large number of westerners went to China to work and travel. Many western traditional customs have also been introduced more widely and have had a far-reaching impact. Christmas is becoming more and more popular in China, and the economy is also an important factor. In China, a country with no Christian tradition at all, Christmas is so popular that the relative strength of western economy and culture plays a subtle role. The history of celebrating Christmas in Japan, South Korea and Singapore is longer than that in China, mainly because of the cultural diffusion and spread in economically developed countries and regions.
City residents, especially young people, have formed a special orientation towards Christmas.
The Spring Festival is a time for China people to relive their family ties, which is about reunion. The 11th May Day is a luxurious rest time. Residents just want to travel with their families, or simply rest and sleep late to recuperate. As for the foreign festival represented by Christmas, China city residents, especially young people, have blurred its original meaning and turned it into a wild, fun and carnival feast. From the perspective of folklore, China's traditional festivals emphasize reunion more, so it seems to be a burden to many young people, while western festivals are mostly carnival-style, and Christmas is more like being for yourself. For young people who advocate individuality and pursue fashion, foreign festivals can better publicize a free mood.
4. Promotional activities promoted by enterprises and media.
The propaganda offensive fueled by merchants and media from all sides led the general public's fantasy and longing for the festival, thus producing a magnificent Christmas army. Just like the National Day Golden Week, people don't have to travel, but when the environment provides such a behavioral condition, when the media and businesses create such a "beautiful" trap, people have to jump into it. Of course, there is no harm in letting more people jump into this trap. This is also a holiday economy.
The significance of Christmas in different countries
Italy
Christmas is the most important festival in western countries, Italy is a religious country, and Christmas is the biggest and most grand festival in a year. Because this is the day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, an uncrowned king who was born at the grassroots level. The chronological method we use now, BC and AD, is divided by the birth of Jesus Christ.
United States of America
Christmas is a traditional festival in the United States, and it is a day to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Just as China treats the Spring Festival, Americans attach great importance to it.
However, the United States is also a multi-ethnic country, so the situation of Americans celebrating Christmas is also the most complicated, and immigrants from various countries still follow the customs of their own motherland.
Britain, England
British people pay the most attention to eating at Christmas. The food includes roast pig, turkey, Christmas pudding, Christmas minced meat pie and so on. Every family member has a gift, and so do servants. All the presents are delivered on Christmas morning. Some Christmas carolers will sing good news from door to door. They will be invited into the house by their hosts and offered refreshments or small gifts.
Germany
In Germany, Christmas is not only 65438+February 25th, but also lasts for more than 40 days, from the first Sunday after1October 26th to February 24th, and 65438+February 24th, which is called Advent Day.
France
There are many festivals in France, among which Christmas is more important. Generally speaking, Christmas in France has a two-week holiday. For the French, this is a good day for family reunion and leisure.