Why do we celebrate Christmas? Most people know that in Christianity we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but was he even born at this time of year? And what do the Christmas ham and tree have to do with Jesus?
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Our own Christmas celebrations this year
We haven't celebrated much at all this year, as migraines sometimes come at the worst time ... Fortunately, we didn't have any big plans for Christmas Eve, and instead of Christmas food, it was a day in bed with some mushroom soup and water for lunch and a long seasick night with strange dreams (strong migraine medication + storm).
But we don't feel sorry for ourselves - we take the opportunity to do fun and enjoyable things when we can. Today I feel better and we are going to celebrate Christmas with my mum. In the meantime, I thought we could philosophise a bit about Christmas and our (un)Swedish traditions...
So ... why do we celebrate Christmas?
Today, many people probably celebrate Christmas because it is a tradition, while others may actually see the holiday from a Christian perspective. Either way, it's a holiday when you want to gather your loved ones, socialise, eat well and perhaps show some concern for those who are not doing so well or are often alone. That's great, whatever the reason, but how did we start celebrating Christmas in the first place?
Pre-Christian and Christian traditions
In pre-Christian times, the Germanic peoples celebrated Christmas at the darkest time of the year. The special god of Christmas was Jólnir, which is one of Odin's many names. So Christmas was celebrated long before we became Christians, but when Christianity came along, it was decided that Jesus was born on 25 December and that Christmas should therefore be celebrated in memory of his birthday.
There was no basis for that date in the Gospels, but it was chosen by the Romans in the 300s in the fight against paganism. So when was Jesus born? Well, we don't know, but the Gospel of Luke indicates that the season was the months when the shepherds were tending sheep, that is, in the summer.
Our (un)Swedish Christmas traditions
But our Swedish Christmas traditions are at least solidly Swedish, right? Well, just like everything else, the traditions have changed over the years, and we have taken in influences from different places - not least from Germany. Read more about Christmas traditions - why do we do what we do?
The blogger Lanclin, who blogs in Swedish from Bavaria in southern Germany, has also written very well about the German invention. The Advent Star and if the spruce rush that became a Christmas tree.
Why do we celebrate Lucia?
Har Lucia to do with the winter solstice when, according to folklore, the animals could speak, that Lucifer raged on this night, that German girls dressed up in white nightgowns to look like the baby Jesus, or that Saint Lucia was martyred in Syracuse in the 300s? It's confusing to say the least, but one thing is for sure, although traditions are kept for a long time, they also change continuously.
We wish you a happy festive season! How did you celebrate on Christmas Eve and how are you spending Christmas Day?
You might also like:
Christmas presents - Christmas gift tips and 15 interesting facts
Christmas rhymes - 25 tips for Christmas presents with rhymes
Valentine's Day - history and loving tips
Christmas markets in Sweden - 12 Christmas markets
Facts about Lucia - 15 things you (maybe) didn't know
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Evy Knoph says:
Hi!!! Oh how sad with migraines, know exactly what you mean..Get well! O hope for continued nice Christmas celebrations!
Celebrated with the closest at X-et, simple, good and nice, Christmas gifts are becoming less and less of nowadays, better to contribute when the children (27, 28) need help, or surprise with a little travel cash e.d when they have a trip on G ...
Today on Christmas Day I will go out in town for a drink etc. with some friends, more and more who have Christmas Day as a "starting day", I understand.
Then start thinking about packing for the Miami and Caribbean cruise 29 Dec-10 Jan :-).
25 December 2015 - 12:28
Matts Torebring says:
It's great that you are addressing a topic like this. I'm sorry you're not feeling well yourself. If we were to go out on the street and ask why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, only a few would be able to answer. For us as a family, it is one of the biggest Christian holidays of the year.
We ourselves celebrate Christmas, as we have done for as long as I can remember, since the early 50s. An incredible amount has changed during all these years. When I was a child and up to driving licence age, the animals in the barn would be looked after, a little extra on Christmas Eve. Then the Christmas tree was decorated on Christmas Eve morning. As messy as it could be, mum would always finish Christmas dinner by 13:00.
The whole family was together and after the cows were milked in the evening, we drank Christmas coffee. Mum's home-made "Jewish bread", I still buy today for the Christmas lunch, these were so good that I will never forget them. After this, Dad read the Christmas gospel from Luke 2: 1-21 and Isaiah 9: 2-6. Then the few Christmas presents were distributed.
We always read the Christmas gospel every Christmas Eve. This lifts me away, from all the commotion, food, stress and Christmas preparations. After this we distribute the "Christmas gift mountain".
Today, our grandchildren receive unlimited Christmas presents.
Good luck!
25 December 2015 - 12:43
year says:
Hi, I continue to follow you even though it was your beautiful travelogues that made me start following the blog. You have become a part of opening the computer every day. Since I have a daughter around 30 who suffers from migraines on a regular basis, I understand that those moments are when you are focused on coping with the situation. I'm sorry you had Christmas Eve ruined, as it is one of the finest traditions of our time. A small child is at the centre of it, and for that child we still care for each other today. "Love your neighbour as yourself" is the message and at Christmas we have every opportunity to make something beautiful out of the story and the tradition. The historicity is very complicated, and as someone born and raised in Norway, I would like to believe the American astronomers who say that the Star of Bethlehem appeared in the middle of May (perhaps seventeenth of May) seven years before the beginning of our era. We have known for a long time that they have miscalculated about 7 years when it comes to the birth of Jesus. Thinking of you and will probably continue to follow you. It feels a bit exciting to get to know a couple of people only through everyday stories and a few thoughts about faith and tradition.
25 December 2015 - 12:47
admin says:
Evy Knoph, thank you very much! We don't have many Christmas presents these days either. And I can definitely imagine that the adult children are more appreciative of contributions and help just when it is needed! How wonderful it sounds with a Miami and Caribbean cruise!
Matts, sometimes it feels like many people today are a bit ignorant of history. History is also important for understanding the present. Especially now that there are a lot of changes in the world, it is good to know about all the changes and migrations that have taken place in the past. Otherwise it's easy to think that things have "always" been a certain way, and that's not the case. It sounds like you have very nice Christmas traditions! I'm not a Christian myself, but I still think it's sad if Christmas is all about commercialism. We hardly buy any Christmas presents anymore, but the nephews probably get quite a few.
Steve, the migraine is a scourge. Not least because it can come at any time and because I can't find any really effective medicine (I've tried everything it seems). Wishing you a nice Christmas holiday at Getingstorp!
Annar, thank you for your nice comment and for even more interesting knowledge about Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Of course it is a nice holiday and it felt very sad to be sick yesterday. Fortunately, we are invited to my mum's today, and today I feel better. Funny by the way that you continue to follow our blog! I agree that it is a bit special that you "get to know" people through blogging, but it is probably all the committed comments, often from returning people, that make us continue to blog and think it is fun. Wishing you a nice Christmas holiday!
25 December 2015 - 12:54
Veiken says:
Oh, that migraine that can cause so much trouble for many! Miserable, but if it comes, it comes. We celebrated in warmer latitudes and today, Christmas Day, we have been fully occupied with doing nothing and enjoying life! All the best to you!
25 December 2015 - 12:55
Veiken says:
Hmmm....forgot! It was interesting reading about traditions you offered! 🙂
25 December 2015 - 12:56
Role o Carina says:
Boring with recurring Migraine, Usch o Fyyy!
Christmas is now a quiet holiday for us anyway ðŸ™'
We gave ourselves a good Christmas present, a new roof on the house.
Have a good time... Good continuation
JulKram
25 December 2015 - 13:28
Mr Steve says:
That was a real Christmas lesson you offer. Whatever the case, we celebrate as usual here at Getingstorp.
That migraine is then a real scourge. Hope it goes away and that you have a continued nice Christmas holiday.
25 December 2015 - 12:47
Ditte says:
Unfortunately, you can't control the migraine, but I'm glad you're a little better today.
Thanks for the nice read on Christmas traditions and it is always nice to read different versions of Christmas celebrations both here at home and around the world.
I understand that it has been rocking with you last night because even here in the Hammarby Canal there were waves last night and still are.
Watching the hub boats jauntily bobbing up and down.
I can imagine that the aqua villas in your area have been busy because they have good windbreaks.
For many years now, Christmas hasn't been so important, never really has been, but we met the grandchildren in Uppsala and the daughters and it's always cosy.
We have often spent Christmas abroad in the past, but now it is nice to be at home and see my loved ones. The world is still there....
Good luck!
25 December 2015 - 14:10
admin says:
Veiken, it sounds like you have a wonderful life! Keep enjoying Christmas and the warmth!
Rolle and Carina, it sounds like a really good Christmas present! Wishing you a continued nice Christmas holiday!
BP, I am not a Christian myself, but I find both history and religion interesting. I have nothing against people being religious either, regardless of religion, as long as it is not fundamentalism. It is probably true that we are not as "Christmassy" as many others, but there is usually some Christmas food if the opportunity arises. Not necessary if we are on the other side of the globe though... 😉 Wish you a continued nice Christmas holiday!
Ditte, yes it has rocked unusually much with us! I usually do not feel bad about it, but since I can get nauseous from the migraine medicine, it was probably a bad combo 😉 Wish you a continued nice Christmas holiday!
25 December 2015 - 14:24
BP says:
Thanks for that "lesson" here on Christmas Day. Always interesting to get some (objective) background information about holidays that is not "coloured" by only Christian and biblical elements. I am somewhat "allergic" to "baby Jesus" in the manger;-)
Too bad about your migraine, talk about bad timing. On the other hand, you are as "Christmassy" as we are, i.e. not at all judging by your posts and comments from others. A bit of bad luck there anyway.
We haven't celebrated much - except for the occasional ham and lutefisk (for me, as my husband won't touch it even with tongs).
It has been and still is stormy.
25 December 2015 - 13:47
Monica Pizanias says:
Good continuation! I read your blog sometimes and hope you continue to write about new trips! Hope the migraine calms down too. One of my sons has similar problems but it has been getting better gradually.
We live in Greece, and here it is quite confusing with Christmas, because according to Greek tradition, the saint Agios Vasilis should come with gifts to the children in the New Year's weekend, and usually by boat - of course when so many people live on the islands and the saint comes from Asia Minor.- The version of Santa Claus that is now spread all over the world does not go together with that, so I wonder how parents manage to explain to the children how it is connected ... it was easier in the Nordic countries with Santa Claus who was an old acquaintance on the farms. In any case, you take the opportunity to celebrate with a little extra food (turkey) and pastries of course. The children walk around and sing "kalanda" - as we did too, who has not pulsed between the farms in the snow as a star boy and sang Staffan Stalledräng ... and then you get a gift for the New Year, at least if you have a kind godmother. Now I'm going to have a Christmas cake: kourambié. Enjoy!
25 December 2015 - 15:27
admin says:
Monica Pizanias, thank you for your comment! Of course we will continue to write about travelling! We are going to Finland already in January and also have a trip to Hungary booked, but there will certainly be more! Interesting to read about Christmas celebrations in Greece! I understand that those Santa stories are not entirely easy to merge, but that's just how it often is. The traditions come from different places and are mixed! Wishing you a continued nice Christmas holiday!
25 December 2015 - 15:35
Lars Permeln says:
It's sad that migraines creep up on occasions such as Christmas Eve when it's clearly the wrong time. Isn't it about time to find out and try to fix the cause of the nasty migraine. We usually celebrate Christmas Eve together as a family. Christmas is almost sacred to my dear wife Kristina, she doesn't want to miss it and it should be as it usually is. After Kalle Anka on TV, we usually go to church for Christmas prayer, which is a tradition from our parents. When we get home, we have Christmas dinner and only when the unveiling is complete do the grandchildren take it in turns to distribute Christmas presents. It takes a long time because we open one parcel at a time and everyone is involved, squeezing and feeling.
25 December 2015 - 17:33
Ama de casa says:
But DUMB migraine! Good that you are better today.
We celebrated Christmas Eve with a bunch of good friends, and today we went for a walk and watched TV. Calm and nice 🙂
25 December 2015 - 20:31
admin says:
Lars Permeln, the cause of the migraine is probably hereditary, but yes, I feel that I need to find better ways to avoid outbreaks and to deal with them when they are coming... Traditions can be cosy and it sounds like you usually have a very nice Christmas! Wishing you a nice Christmas holiday!
Ama de casa, yes, that's how I feel too, that the migraine is stupid...! Knytis sounds nice! 🙂
25 December 2015 - 22:44
Lanclin says:
Isn't it exciting with traditions? 🙂 As a teacher and cultural history nerd, I hope I both educated and inspired further learning with my December post on "Swedish" traditions.
Thank you for the links, now maybe even more people will find the appreciated posts 🙂.
27 December 2015 - 9:41
admin says:
Lanclin, I find it super interesting and really enjoyed your posts! 🙂
27 December 2015 - 18:43