December 25

In the first centuries of the Church, the birth of Jesus, Messiah, Lord and Savior, was celebrated within the broader context of the manifestation of Christ's divinity to the world. In the East, this happened on the feast of the Epiphany (or Theophany), on January 6.
It was in the fourth century that feast of Christmas appeared in the West. Celebrated on December 25, it replaced the Roman winter solstice festivalSol Invictus, which marked the date on which the night began to decrease and make room for the light of day. By commemorating Jesus' birth on this date, Christians affirmed that Christ is the true Sun of justice who came to shine on those who are in darkness. The feast of Christmas soon spread from the West to the East, where it began to be celebrated everywhere but in the Armenian Church.
On Christmas, the Christian community confesses God's humble presence among the poor, which fulfills the messianic promises made to Israel through the prophets. At the same time, the Church contemplates the "marvelous exchange" that consists in God's taking on human nature so that human beings might have access to the divine nature. Finally, as Christians remember Christ's coming in the flesh, they look forward to his coming in glory.
This last aspect of the meaning of Christmas has been particularly emphasized in the West, where the Church prepares the way for the Lord during Advent. In this season, Christians are invited to remember the Parousia and to keep watch in the present time, so as to discern the signs of Christ's coming in the world and in history.

THE CHURCHES REMEMBER...

ANGLICANS:
Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

WESTERN CATHOLICS:
Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

COPTS AND ETHIOPIANS (16 kiyahk/tahsas):
Dedication of the church of St James, the Persian (Coptic Orthodox Church)

LUTHERANS:
Nativity of Christ

MARONITES:
Nativity of the Lord

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS AND GREEK CATHOLICS:
Nativity according to the flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ
John the Prior (9th cent.), martyr (Georgian Church)

WEST SYRIAN ORTHODOX:
Nativity of the Lord

EAST SYRIAN ORTHODOX:
Nativity of the Lord

OLD CATHOLICS:
Nativity of the Lord