1. Christmas Day

History

Jesus Christ – the Son of God incarnated as a human, is a historical figure, but His birthday is not accurately recorded in history books. In the first three centuries, during the early Church, Christians did not emphasize the celebration of His birthday. Christmas, also known as Noel, is often celebrated on the same day as Epiphany – the Feast of God revealing himself to all people.

By the 4th century, Christians had chosen December 25 to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, called Christmas. Before that, December 25 was the day the Romans celebrated the feast of the Sun God. The first Christians chose the day of worshiping the Sun God as the day to celebrate Christmas, because they believed and wanted to announce that Jesus was the “Sun of Justice – the eternal Sun”, who became incarnate as a human to bring light, life and peace to humanity. (see John 8:12). In 354, Pope Liberius announced and set December 25 as the official day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Name of Christmas

Christmas, also known as the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ, or simply Christmas. Christmas is also called Noel. The word Noel comes from the word Emmanuel – meaning God is with us (see Matthew 1:23)

2. Christmas manger

 

The event of Jesus’ birth is narrated in the two Gospels of Saint Luke (see Luke 2:1-21) and Matthew (see Matthew 2:1-18). Accordingly, Jesus was born during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Because this emperor issued a decree to take a census of the entire world, Saint Joseph and Mother Mary had to return to their hometown, Bethlehem, the city of King David, to register. Since they could not find a place in the inn in Bethlehem, they had to stay temporarily in a stable in the fields. It was during that time that Mary gave birth to Jesus. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger (see Luke 2:1-7). The shepherds – the shepherds, announced by the angel – came to worship the Child Jesus (see Luke 2:8-20). Three wise men from the East, also following the strange star in the sky, came to Bethlehem to worship the Child Jesus (see Mt 2:1-12).

In 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi made the first nativity scene, recreating what was described in the Gospel about the night of Jesus’ birth. From there, the movement of making nativity scenes gradually spread everywhere. Today, every Christmas season, churches, parishes, and Catholic families all make nativity scenes together, continuing to recreate the historical event, the wonderful sign, the mystery of Christmas, God incarnated as a human being and lived with humans.

In the cave, at the center, the Baby Jesus is placed in a manger like a cradle for a baby to lie in, with Mother Mary and Saint Joseph standing beside him. Surrounding him are animals such as cows, donkeys, sheep; there are shepherds who come to visit and three wise men from afar who come to worship; high above the wall, angels fly and sing in praise of God incarnate as a human.

Looking at the Christmas manger, though poor and simple, is an image of warmth and peace in a home. Each person’s soul is invited to be a manger for the birth of Jesus, to feel God’s love for humanity, to be loved, respected and united with God. At the same time, everyone can live in peace and unity with each other.  

3. Christmas tree​​

 

Today, all over the world, when celebrating Christmas, along with the Nativity scene, people always display a Christmas tree. This tradition comes from many different sources, but it is known for certain and popular that it was in the 16th century in Germany, then gradually spread throughout Europe and to the whole world.

People have noticed that the pine tree has a strong vitality, is always green and grows strongly even in the middle of the freezing winter. The pine tree has become an image reflecting Jesus who was born in the middle of the cold winter and in the freezing conditions of the human heart, but has blossomed and grown with strong vitality, an eternal gift for humanity.

What is the significance of displaying a Christmas tree? Here are explanations from Pope John Paul II and the late Pope Benedict XVI .

 “We often display a Christmas tree next to the manger, which is a long-standing tradition to praise life. In the cold winter, the tree remains green to show that life is never destroyed. Christmas gifts are displayed under the tree. This symbol means that the Christmas tree is a human tree bearing the image of Christ. This is God’s gift to humanity. The message of the Christmas tree also means that green life is a gift of friendship and love, of fraternal support and forgiveness, of sharing and listening to others.” (December 19, 2004 – John Paul II)

 “The Christmas tree enriches the symbolic meaning of Christmas, is a message of brotherhood and friendship, is a call to unity and peace, is also an invitation in our own lives and in society to receive God, who gives us his almighty love in a newborn Child. Through this, he wishes his love to come to us easily. The manger and the Christmas tree bring a message of hope and love, helping us to have a suitable atmosphere to live the mystery of the birth of the Savior in a spiritual and moral way”. (17/12/2010 – Benedict XVI)

4. Christmas theme 2024​​

 

Emmanuel – Our Hope – 2024

When pilgrims come to the church square during Christmas, they always see the words Emmanuel – Our Hope – 2024. This is the theme of the 2024 Christmas celebration of the Cathedral parish. So what does this theme mean?

Meaning:

Emmanuel – Meaning “God is with us” (cf. Mt 1:23)

Our hope – The words of Saint Paul affirm that Jesus Christ is our hope. (cf. 1 Tim 1:1)

2024: Time Marker – Christmas Year 2024.

Topic:

Christmas 2024 with the theme “Emmanuel – Our Hope” is both an affirmation that Jesus is our only hope and helps the community of believers prepare their souls to enter the Holy Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”.  

Celebrating the Nativity of Jesus is an opportunity for each person to relive hope in Jesus, as Pope Francis affirmed: “Jesus is Hope, an agent of renewal of all things. Jesus himself is a continuous miracle”. Christ realizes this “miracle of renewal” in the Church, in my life, in your life, in our life. “Christ is the reason for our hope and this hope does not deceive us.” (Homily on September 9, 2013)

Christian hope is “the hope that does not disappoint.” It is born of the love of God, which is vividly expressed in the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus became incarnate to become like humans, to walk with humans, and to redeem humans. He brings to humans a new hope, the hope of being loved, accepted, forgiven, reconciled, and in full communion with God now and in eternal glory. Jesus is truly our only hope.

To live this hope, each person is invited to live a personal, lively and intimate relationship with Jesus. Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, we are invited to meet and welcome the Child Jesus into our hearts and lives. So that the hope that God brings to humanity can be awakened and shine in the daily life of each of us.

Father Giuse Ta Minh Quy