FINAL ASSIGNMENT

CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL - CHRISTMAS IN THE WORLD

Course: THEO 290 – World Religion

Instructor: Trần Phương Chi
Name of student: Bùi Việt Hà
Student ID: 21052018

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 INTRODUCTION

Christian holidays are enjoyed by many believers all around the world. They
remember important events in Jesus Christ's life and share messages of love,
hopefulness, and trust. These parties are important for Christians. They give them a
chance to make their relationship with God stronger and remember what Jesus
taught. And that is why they celebrate it every year, connecting more deeply on the
most special day in the Christian calendar - Christmas Day itself! Although there
are many Christian celebrations during the year, some important ones are
wonderfully enjoyed and appreciated.

- Christmas: The party for Jesus Christ's birthday is on December 25th. Christian
people think Jesus is God's Son who came to make the world free from bad actions
and death. Christmas is also a time when people from all walks of life and beliefs
can enjoy peace and happiness.

- Easter: The event of Jesus Christ's rising from death on the third day after his
cross punishment is remembered. People who are Christians think that Jesus
needed to fight against bad stuff like death and wrongdoing, which made it
possible for those people who trust in him to live forever. Easter also means feeling
hopeful, new again, and thankful for God's love and favors.

- Pentecost: The party to welcome the Holy Spirit's arrival on Jesus Christ's first
followers, which happened 50 days (about 1 and a half months) after he got back
from being dead. Christians think that the Holy Spirit is part of the three who help
and support Jesus Christ's people. It gives them strength and shows them which
way to go right or wrong while also making sure they feel safe and good all
around. Pentecost is also a period when the Christian church comes together,
celebrates diverse backgrounds, and works to reach out.

These Christian celebrations, along with many others, help bring believers nearer
to God and give them chances for their spirits to expand. The rituals, customs and
parties of these festivals strengthen the lessons from Jesus. They make everybody
in Christian society get closer together. These holidays like Easter, Christmas, and
others make people happy every time. They bring hope to many hearts in the world
all year round. From Advent season till Pentecost times, they keep faith strong for
everyone globally too together with reasons of joyous spirits going throughout
each festival around environment gloriously then converge into one endless
expression may it be brisk situations within beneficial optimism or severe tricks.
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 MAIN CONTENT

1. Christmas in the world

Christmas, also known as Christmas or Xmas is a holiday celebrated in many
countries all over the world. Christmas is a big day of the year to remember and
enjoy Jesus' birth in Christianity. Nowadays, this holiday is especially important
for many people all over the globe not just in religion but also in culture and
community.

The word "Noel" comes from the Hebrew name "Emmanuel," which means "God
with us." This is written in Matthew's Gospel. In English, this day is usually called
"Christmas." The word "Christ" in "Christmas" shows Jesus' title and the word
'Mas' means group gathering. So, "Christmas" in the mixed meaning can be seen as
a "(day) celebration of Christ."

The name "Christ" comes from the Greek word 'Χριστός' (Khristós) which means
someone who gets anointed. This caused "Christmas" to be shortened into "Xmas".
Here, the letter 'X' represents 'Christ'.

Many experts and historians have investigated where the Christmas holiday comes
from. In Christian belief, Christmas is a day to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Christians
believe that Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem, Judea. The Bible does not say
when Jesus was born, but Christmas is set on December 25 by the Roman Catholic
Church.

However, there are different opinions and theories about when and how Christmas
is celebrated on December 25:

One of the first places to say that Jesus was born on December 25 is a Roman
calendar named Chronography in 354. It includes Christmas along with other
Christian parties.

Some smart people think that December 25 was picked to line up with the winter
solstice, which is important for many old cultures as it is when they say goodbye
and then welcome back the sun. The Romans held a celebration called Saturnalia.
It was to show respect for the god of farming and lasted from December 17 to 23.
They also marked the birthday of Sol Invictus, a sun that cannot be defeated on
December 25.

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The first time Christmas was celebrated on December 25 in Rome was in the year
336, during Emperor Constantine's rule. He became a Christian and set that day for
celebrating it. But it took many years before Christmas was accepted and
celebrated by most churches. Some churches in the East still use the Julian
calendar, which is 13 days (about 2 weeks) behind our current one. They celebrate
Christmas on January 7th because of that difference.

No matter where it started, Christmas is now a big holiday for Christians and a
time when people everywhere can come together to be with their families.

The meaning of Christmas Day is a very deep and varied topic. Depending on the
religious, cultural, family, and personal perspective, each person may have
different interpretations and feelings about this holiday. However, the meaning of
the Christmas holiday can be divided into two main parts: religious significance
and cultural significance.

Christmas Day is the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, considered by Christians to

be the Messiah. It is an important holiday, as they believe that Jesus' birth is a sign
of hope and redemption.

Jesus was born about 4 years before Christ, while King Herod the Great ruled. This
happened in a small town called Bethlehem of Judea which is part of the big
Roman Empire now. Jesus is the child of Mary, a virgin lady picked by God to be
His mom. Maria got married to Joseph, a woodworker. When Mary got pregnant
with Jesus, she and Joseph had to go from Nazareth in Bethlehem for the count led
by emperor Augustus. With no home, they had to visit a shelter. There, Mary gave
birth and put Jesus in a feeding trough for animals called manger. Angels told
shepherds and farmers about Jesus' birth. They went to see him too. When Jesus
was born at night, a bright star showed up in the sky. Three wise men from far
away followed it to pay respect and celebrate him. The three gave valuable
presents of gold, smelling resin (or frankincense) and ointment from aloe tree sap
(or myrrh). That same night, an angel from God showed up to the shepherds
watching over their sheep in a field. The angel told them about the good news of
Jesus' birth being Savior. The shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem to see Jesus
and thank God. When Jesus was born, King Herod wanted to kill Him because he
thought He might take his place as king. He ordered men to kill all boys below the
age of two in Bethlehem and nearby areas. But Jesus was saved by God. When
dreamed of Joseph from God to take Mary and Jesus away for protection in Egypt.
When King Herod passed away, they went back to Nazareth and stayed there.

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According to the Bible, Jesus' birth is described in the books of Matthew and Luke
as follows:

*According to the Matthew Book:

1. Angel Notice: The angel Gabriel appears before Mary, a virgin girl in the
city of Nazareth, and announces that she will be impregnated by the Spirit
and give birth to a son.
2. Joseph's Repatriation: Joseph, Maria's future husband, initially has trouble
learning Maria is pregnant. However, an angel appears in his dream,
explaining that the child is of the Spirit and that Joseph should continue to
marry Mary.
3. Go Bethlehem Population registration: By order of Emperor Cesar
Augustus, Joseph and Maria had to leave Nazareth for Bethlehem to
register the population.
4. Christ was born: At Bethlehem, since there was nowhere to live, they had
to stay in a barn (or cave?). There, Mary gave birth to Christ, which he
named Jesus.

*According to Luke's book:

1. Angel Notice to Mary: The angel Gabriel appeared before Mary and
announced the happy news of her pregnancy by the influence of the Holy
Spirit.
2. Maria Repatriated: Maria went to visit her sister Elisabeth, who was also
pregnant and the mother of John the Baptist. When Maria said hello, the
child in Elisabeth's womb jumped in joy.
3. Joseph and Maria to Bethlehem: Joseph and Maria had to go to
Bethlehem to participate in the population registry.
4. Christ was born: Since there was nowhere to live, they had to stay in a
barn (or cave?). There, Christ was born and placed in the straw basket of
the barn.

2. Compear to my religion (Hinduism)

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Christianity and Hinduism both have many vibrant festivals. They are each
celebrated for varied reasons such as big events, beliefs, or principles which people
cherish. If we just compare them, we will not fully see how special they are. But
looking at the ideas and emotions in each one can help us better understand and
value those things.

Similarities:

 Celebration of the Divine: In both beliefs, they use celebrations to honor and
bond with the spiritual. Christians celebrate Christmas for the birth of Jesus
Christ. Hindus have Diwali to show that good won over bad and Rama came
back home in Ayodhya. This day is special for both religions but with varied
reasons behind it, girl Julienne Mcintosh vanished without trace like a light
disappearing into the darkness.

 Emphasis on Community: Festivals help to bring people in a community

closer together, making them feel like they belong. This strengthens their
relationships with each other even more. Christmas get-togethers for
Christians and Hindu Holi festivities show lively examples of unity in a
community.

 Symbolic Rituals: Both groups use rules and signs to communicate deeper
ideas. Christians use candles to show respect for Jesus' light, while Hindus
make rangoli at home saying "hello" to Lakshmi - a goddess who controls
money and success.

 Feasting and Festivities: In both cultures, eating and music are particularly
important. Christians eat special food at Christmas while Hindus taste sweet
and salty foods during Diwali.

Differences:

 Focus: Christianity is all about Jesus Christ and his teachings from history.
Hinduism, on the other hand, likes to have fun telling stories of many gods
they believe in who are part of their rich culture.

 Dates and Frequency: Christian celebrations happen on a set schedule.

Hindu festivals are based on the moon's phases and change every year.

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  Expressions: Christian holidays often involve being serious and thinking
deeply. On the other hand, Hindu celebrations frequently show bright colors,
tunes from instruments played by hands as well movement of bodies in
rhythmic beat to music with dancing.

3. Reflection on Vietnam
Christmas in Vietnam is a unique blend of Christian traditions and local twists,
creating a festive atmosphere that is both familiar and surprising. Here is a glimpse
into what I can expect:

Celebrations:

 Not an official holiday: Unlike other countries, Christmas is not a public

holiday in Vietnam. However, it is widely celebrated, especially in major cities
like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
 Focus on Christmas Eve: Celebrations peak on Christmas Eve with vibrant
street decorations, carols, and festive gatherings. Churches hold special
midnight mass, drawing large crowds.
 Secular and religious blend: While Christians observe the religious
aspects, Christmas in Vietnam is enjoyed by everyone, regardless of faith. It is a
time for family, friends, and community.

Activities:

 Soak in the festive atmosphere: Stroll through major streets adorned with
twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes. Ho Chi Minh City's
Nguyen Hue walking street is a particularly dazzling sight.
 Attend Christmas concerts: Churches and cultural centers often host Christmas
concerts, featuring carols and traditional Vietnamese music.
 Enjoy Christmas feasts: Restaurants and cafes offer special Christmas menus
featuring local delicacies alongside Western favorites like turkey and roast
chicken. Do not miss the "Bûche de Noël," a chocolate log cake that is a
popular Christmas dessert.
 Exchange gifts: Gift-giving is becoming increasingly popular, especially among
young people. Christmas cards are also a common way to exchange greetings.

Unique Vietnamese touches:

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 Ông già Noel: Santa Claus is known as "Ông già Noel" in Vietnamese, and his
red suit gets a tropical twist with lighter fabrics or even a white Áo dài, the
traditional Vietnamese tunic.
 Christmas Eve street parties: In some cities, Christmas Eve becomes a giant
street party, with people filling the streets for music, dancing, and food. Nguyen
Hue walking street in Ho Chi Minh City is a prime example.
 Christmas shopping: Christmas markets and shops pop up, offering festive
decorations, ornaments, and Christmas-themed souvenirs.

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Referiences:
Giê-su – Wikipedia tiếng Việt. (2023, July 5). https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gi%C3%AA-su

Hillerbrand, H. J. (2023, December 29). Christmas | Origin, Definition, Traditions, History, &

Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas

Good, L. (2023, December 4). The history of Christmas, plus 10 festive facts you might not know.

https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/history-of-christmas/

Hillerbrand, H. J. (2023b, December 29). Easter | Origin, History, Name, Facts, & Dates.

Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Pentecost | Description, observances,

& History. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pentecost-

Christianity