Where do Christmas and New Year celebrations come from, what is the difference between the two?
What is the difference between New Year's Eve and Christmas? Where do these holidays, celebrated all around the world, originate from?
In many countries worldwide, Christians celebrate the Christmas holiday on the night of December 24th leading into the 25th. The distinction between New Year's Eve and Christmas holidays sparks debates in Turkey annually.
Due to the proximity of the dates of New Year's Eve celebrations, marking the beginning of the Gregorian calendar, and Christmas celebrations, the two are often confused.
So, what is the difference between New Year's Eve and Christmas? Here's what you need to know about the distinction between these globally celebrated holidays.
Where does Christmas originate?
Christmas is celebrated annually on December 25th. The festivities kick off on December 24th with Christmas Eve and in some countries, they continue until the evening of December 26th.
Christmas commemorates the traditional celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, recognized by Christians as the 'Savior Messiah.'
Some Eastern Orthodox Churches, like the Armenian Church, celebrate Christmas on January 6th, which corresponds to December 25th in the Julian calendar.
At the core of the Christmas holiday are the ancient pagan and Roman winter festivals known as Yule and Saturnalia, celebrated since ancient times.
During the Roman Empire era, Christians began celebrating pagan festivals as religious holidays to make it easier for the local population to adopt this new faith. In fact, the exact birth date of Jesus is not known in religious and historical sources.
Today, Christmas has become a universal holiday celebrated by non-Christians as well, stripped of its religious foundations and centered around gift exchanges. One of the most prominent symbols of this transformation is the figure of 'Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is a legendary figure who, on the night of December 24th, secretly enters homes to leave gifts for children. In modern portrayals, he is depicted as a lovable character dressed in red, with white hair and a white beard.
The legend of Santa Claus is based on the Dutch story of Sinterklaas, which revolves around Bishop Nicholas. The tradition of Santa Claus bringing gifts to 'well-behaved' children throughout the year is derived from the Norse mythology god Odin.
What is the origin of New Year's celebrations?
The origin of New Year celebrations lies in welcoming the new year. This tradition was initiated by Julius Caesar, an influential leader of the Roman Empire, in the year 46 BC.
The first day of the new year was designated as the first day of January in the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar worldwide.
Marking a new beginning in various aspects of life, the New Year is celebrated with different traditions and activities in many countries around the world. The common goal of all these celebrations is to usher in the upcoming year with hope and the promise of abundance and good fortune.