I. History – II. Christian Liturgy – III. Practical Theology – IV. Art History – V. Music
I. History
1. Origins.
“Christmas,” the nativity feast or birthday celebration of Christ on Dec 25, comes from Middle English Christmesse, Christ's Mass; cf. Dutch Kerstmis. The German Weihnachten, “holy nights,” refers to the twelve days between Dec 24 and Jan 6. The Lat. natalis, diesnativitatis, or nativitasdomini nostri Jesu Christi is reflected in…
Cite this page
Roll, Susan K.,
Köhle-Hezinger, Christel,
Plank, Peter,
Bieritz, Karl-Heinrich,
Hermelink, Jan,
Apostolos-Cappadona, Diane and
Finke, Christian,
“Christmas”, in:
Religion Past and Present.
Consulted online on 14 August 2022 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_COM_224100>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013