Introduction to the Origin of Christmas (English + Chinese)

English Version

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, observed by millions of people every year on December 25th. The holiday is rooted in Christian tradition and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be the Son of God and Savior of humanity.

The exact date of Jesus' birth is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but it is traditionally celebrated on December 25th. Some scholars believe that this date was chosen to coincide with existing pagan festivals, such as the Roman festival of Saturnalia or the winter solstice celebrations, to make the transition to Christianity easier for converts.

The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas until the 4th century AD. It was Pope Julius I who officially declared December 25th as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Over time, Christmas evolved into a global event, incorporating various cultural traditions from different parts of the world. Today, it is marked by gift-giving, family gatherings, festive decorations, and religious services.

中文版

圣诞节是全球范围内庆祝的重要节日之一，每年的12月25日都有数百万人参与其中。这一节日源于基督教传统，用来纪念耶稣基督的诞生。在基督徒看来，耶稣是上帝之子，也是人类的救世主。

然而，《圣经》中并没有明确提到耶稣出生的具体日期，但传统上将这一天定为12月25日。一些学者认为，这个日期可能是为了与已有的异教节日（如罗马的农神节或冬至节）相吻合，从而方便新信徒接受基督教。

早期的基督徒直到公元4世纪才开始庆祝圣诞节。据记载，当时的教皇朱利叶斯一世正式宣布将12月25日定为耶稣诞辰的纪念日。随着时间推移，圣诞节逐渐演变为一个全球性的活动，融合了来自世界各地的文化习俗。如今，人们通过互赠礼物、家庭聚会、装饰节日场景以及参加宗教仪式等方式庆祝这一节日。

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