Origin and meaning of Christmas

Christmas, also known as Christmas, Noel or Christmas is an international holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.

The origin of Christmas

Christmas, also known as Noel or Christmas, originated from the long-standing religious tradition of Christianity. According to the Bible, the night of December 24 and December 25 is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Although there is no authentic historical document about the exact date of birth, the Church since the 4th century has chosen December 25 to celebrate, at the same time integrating many cultural and festive elements from ancient European customs to create a festival of great community.

From its religious origins, Christmas gradually developed into a cultural and social event, spreading throughout the world thanks to the process of missionary work, trade and the popularity of Western culture. Over the centuries, Christmas has become an important holiday, decorated with pine trees, lights, carols and familiar images such as Santa Claus, reindeer or manger.

Christmas market in Poznan, Poland on November 15, 2025.

The core meaning of Christmas

Christmas has many layers of meaning. First of all, this is an occasion for religious people to remember the birth of Jesus - a symbol of love, compassion and salvation for humanity. For religious communities, this moment reminds each person to live a good life, towards sharing and peace .

Over time, Christmas transcended the religious context to become a common holiday season for many countries. The meaning now expanded to include the joy of reunion, the spirit of giving and the moment of new beginnings before the New Year. The Christmas atmosphere everywhere brings a feeling of warmth, connection and hope, although each country has different ways of expressing it according to culture, climate and lifestyle customs.

Christmas in Vietnam: reception and development in the context of indigenous culture

In Vietnam, Christmas was introduced in the 16th century, associated with the presence of Western missionaries. For a long time, this was mainly a holiday of the Catholic community. However, in recent decades, Christmas has become a widespread cultural activity, attracting even non-religious people. The festive atmosphere spreads throughout the city with lights, large Christmas trees in shopping centers, Christmas music resounding from the streets to commercial events.

Vietnamese people celebrate Christmas in a softer and more flexible way than many Western countries. Most activities take place on the evening of December 24, when people flock to the streets to visit, take photos, visit churches to feel the sacredness or simply join the crowd of people having fun. For the Catholic community, the rituals of vigil mass, reading prayers, singing hymns and reenacting the nativity scene are still kept solemn, but the surrounding atmosphere is open to everyone, regardless of religion.

Christmas in Vietnam is not an official holiday, so the pace of life does not slow down like in Western countries. Activities are mainly for entertainment, experience and enjoyment, in line with the dynamic culture of big cities.

Is Christmas in Vietnam different from other countries?

Christmas in Vietnam has many similarities with other countries, especially in terms of decoration, music, simulation of winter scenes and gift-giving culture. However, there are still notable differences. Vietnam is a tropical country, so the image of snowfall or the deep cold of winter is only symbolic, recreated by decorative materials. Many families do not organize Christmas parties with traditional motifs such as turkey or pudding, but instead have light meals, coffee, or simply a walk around the street.

The difference also lies in the public space. In many Western countries, Christmas is an occasion for family reunions in silence, while in Vietnam, especially in big cities, this is a "happy season" outside on the streets. Churches become crowded gathering places, but visitors are not necessarily religious; they come to experience culture and enjoy the warm atmosphere. Commercial activities also thrive, making Christmas a vibrant time of shopping, entertainment and urban decoration.

Despite differences in expression, both Vietnam and countries around the world share the same spirit of the holiday season: spreading sharing, joy and hope for the new year.

Christmas, from its ancient religious origins, has become a global festival. The meaning of this day is not only limited to beliefs, but also expanded to become an occasion to connect people, express care, love and hope. Vietnam welcomes Christmas in its own way, blending indigenous identity and international culture, creating a lively, open and community-rich festive season. It is this blend that makes Christmas in Vietnam a special experience, both familiar in Western imagery and close to the rhythm of Vietnamese life.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nguon-goc-va-y-nghia-cua-ngay-le-giang-sinh-post888451.html