Christmastide is the historic Christian liturgical season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ, also known as Christmas. It begins on Christmas Day (December 25) and lasts 12 days, ending on January 5. This 12-day period represents the time between the birth of Jesus and the coming of the Magi to visit the Christ child, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew.
The word “Christmastide” comes from Middle English Christemasse, meaning “Christ’s mass.” It refers specifically to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ through worship services and festivities. Other names for Christmastide include Yuletide and the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Christmastide has been observed and celebrated since at least the 4th century AD. In 567 AD, the Council of Tours proclaimed the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany to be sacred and especially joyous. Christmastide was considered so important in medieval England that Christmas Day and 12 additional days were made public holidays by royal decree in 1647.
Here are some key things the Bible reveals about Christmastide:
The Significance of Christ’s Birth
The focal point of Christmastide is celebrating the incarnation of Jesus Christ. His virgin birth was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy centuries earlier: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The angel Gabriel confirmed this to Mary when announcing she would bear the Christ child (Luke 1:26-38).
The birth of Jesus was a pivotal moment in salvation history. As John’s gospel declares: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). God became man so that through Christ’s perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, sinful humanity could be reconciled to a holy God.
Christ’s humble birth is also a model for how he lived and ministered during his time on earth. As Philippians 2:5-8 explains, though Christ was God, he “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” and “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.” Christmastide provides an opportunity to reflect on and give thanks for God’s incredible, sacrificial gift of his Son to save the world.
The Events Before and After Christ’s Birth
The Gospel accounts provide intriguing details about the circumstances leading up to Jesus’ birth. Mary visits Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist, and pronounces blessings on Mary for bearing the Messiah (Luke 1:39-56). Joseph struggles over Mary’s unexplained pregnancy until an angel confirms in a dream that her child is conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-25). Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem in order to register in the Roman census (Luke 2:1-5).
After Jesus is born, angels appear to shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). The shepherds visit Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger, then spread the good news. Mary treasures these experiences and ponders them in her heart (Luke 2:19). Eight days after his birth, Jesus is circumcised and given the name spoken by the angel (Luke 2:21).
The long-awaited Messiah has come, though in an unexpected way. Christmastide provides believers the opportunity to ponder the wonder of the Savior’s birth and God’s fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through unlikely means and humble individuals.
Traditions and Celebrations
Many traditions associated with Christmastide emerged during the Middle Ages and have carried on for centuries. The Advent season of preparation leads up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on December 25. Churches hold special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services to worship Christ and celebrate his birth. Homes and churches are decorated with wreaths, Christmas trees, lights and nativity scenes depicting Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
December 26 is Boxing Day, traditionally when wealthy landowners would give boxes of food, money and other gifts to their poorest tenants and servants. The 12 Days of Christmas, from December 25 to January 5, are full of food, dancing, singing and parties. January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany, remembering the revelation of Christ to the Magi who followed the star to visit the infant Jesus.
Many traditional carols sung at Christmastime tell the story of Christ’s birth and the joyous tidings of the Savior. Families read Scripture passages together like the accounts in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Special church services may include candlelight vigils, children’s pageants and midnight masses on Christmas Eve. Homes are decorated to reflect the light that has come into the world in Christ.
Though cultural traditions abound, Christmastide provides an opportunity for renewed focus on the true meaning of Christmas – the celebration of Christ, the Savior of the world, humbling himself to be born as a child to eventually die for the sins of mankind. As Hebrews 2:9 proclaims, “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
Ending the Christmas Season
In Western church tradition, Christmastide officially ends on January 5, the eve of the Epiphany. January 5 is known as Twelfth Night. The next day, January 6, culminates the 12 days of Christmas with Epiphany Day celebrating the revelation of God through Christ to the Gentiles in the Magi. In some cultures, it’s traditional to keep Christmas decorations up until Epiphany.
Eastern Orthodox churches extend the Christmas and Epiphany season even longer, through the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in mid-January. Whenever the season ends, it leads into the rest of Ordinary Time on the liturgical calendar.
The end of Christmastide need not mean an end to reflecting on the wonder and joy of Emmanuel, God with us, through Jesus. Believers can continue to walk in light of Christ’s incarnation year round. As 1 John 1:5-7 declares: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Key Events in Christmastide
Here is an overview of significant dates during the 12-day season of Christmastide:
- December 25 – Christmas Day celebrating Jesus’ birth
- December 26 – Feast of St. Stephen remembering first martyr (Acts 7)
- December 27 – Feast of St. John remembering the apostle John
- December 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents remembering Herod killing children (Matthew 2:16-18)
- January 1 – Feast of the Circumcision and naming of Jesus (Luke 2:21)
- January 1 – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
- January 5 – Twelfth Night eve of Epiphany, end of Christmastide season
- January 6 – Epiphany celebrating the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
Christmastide Symbols and Their Meaning
Many Christmastide decorations use symbolic items to help tell the story of Christ’s birth. These include:
- Manger scenes – Depict the nativity setting of Christ’s birth
- Stars – Recall the Star of Bethlehem that led the Magi
- Angels – References the angelic announcements of Christ’s birth
- Shepherds – Call to mind the shepherds who visited the newborn King
- Wreaths – Represent eternity and endless love of God
- Evergreens – Signify everlasting life in Christ
- Poinsettias – Symbolize pureness, sacrifice and healing
- Candles – Portray Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12)
- Bells – Proclaim ringing out news of Jesus’ birth
These familiar decorations adorn homes, churches and communities with beautiful reminders of Emmanuel, God with us, through the birth of Jesus.
Christmastide in Other Cultures
Christmastide traditions vary across different nations and cultures worldwide. Here are a few interesting examples:
- Germany – Christmas trees are first decorated on Christmas Eve. Ornaments include tin soldiers, tiny fruit, angels, stars and candy canes.
- Greece – Ships remain docked from Christmas to Epiphany to honor the journey of Mary and Joseph across the seas.
- Ireland – Candles are placed in windows starting on Christmas Eve to offer hospitality.
- Ukraine – Spider webs on Christmas trees represent the legend of a spider decorating a bare tree.
- Philippines – Masses and processions are held starting early morning hours for nine days until Christmas Day.
- Ethiopia – Celebrations follow the Orthodox calendar, so Christmas is in January. Singing, feasting and special church services last over a month.
Despite varying customs, Christmastide unites Christians globally through worship of Christ the newborn King. As Luke 2:10-11 proclaimed to the shepherds, the good news of Jesus’ birth is “for all the people.”
Christmastide Themes in the Bible
Major biblical themes emerge in the scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth and the early years of His life:
- Fulfillment of prophecy – Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:22-23
- The humility and servanthood of Christ – Philippians 2:5-8; Luke 2:7
- Praise and worship for God’s glory revealed – Luke 2:13-14; Matthew 2:1-12
- God’s miraculous power on display – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:34-38
- Salvation through Christ for all nations – Luke 2:30-32; Ephesians 3:6
- Reconciliation and access to God – Romans 5:10-11; Hebrews 10:19-20
- Living in the light of Christ – John 1:5; 1 John 1:5-7
The celebrations of Christmastide provide an opportunity to reflect on these biblical themes and on the greatest gift of all – the Word made flesh who dwelt among us (John 1:14).
Christmastide Hymns and Carols
Many beloved Christmas hymns and carols sung during Christmastide celebrate Jesus’ birth. Here are a few of the most popular and well-known:
- “Joy to the World” – A triumphant hymn imagining nature itself celebrating Christ’s coming
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” – Calls the faithful to come worship the newborn King
- “Silent Night” – A serene and poetic reflection on the holiness of Christ’s birth
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Joyfully announces Christ’s birth and the redemption he brings
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – Recalls the humble, earthy setting of Jesus’ nativity
- “Angels We Have Heard On High” – Exuberantly glorifies God with the angel chorus
- “Away in a Manger” – Depicts the intimacy and simplicity of the manger scene
- “O Holy Night” – Praises the night divine when the Savior was born
These Christmas carols endure season after season because they beautifully crystallize biblical truths about the wonder of the incarnation and God’s amazing grace in sending his only Son on that first Christmas morn.
Christmastide in Church History and Tradition
Tracing how Christmastide developed through church history reveals an increasing focus on elaborating the biblical narrative:
- 2nd century – Some church fathers suggest dates for Christ’s birth
- 4th century – Christmas established as December 25, feasting and worship on this day
- 5th century – Twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany recognized
- Middle Ages – Gift giving, pageants, music, decorations become popular
- Reformation – Puritans oppose Christmas observance not Biblical enough
- 19th century – Christmas revived with emphasis on family, children, generosity
- Present day – More elaborate traditions but some renewed focus on spiritual meaning
While certain customs may vary, Christmastide remains centered around the biblical narrative of Jesus’ incarnation and the Christian worship of Christ the Savior on Christmas Day.
Christmastide Lessons for Christians
Reflecting on the accounts of Christ’s birth and the traditions of the Christmastide season offers these key lessons:
- God fulfills His promises in unexpected ways
- Jesus identified with humanity in the most humble of circumstances
- All people, both Jews and Gentiles, can find salvation in Christ
- God uses ordinary people who are willing to follow His call
- The gift of Christ’s birth is free to all yet cost Him everything
- Believers can walk in the light of Christ amid life’s darkness
- Praise and proclamation of the Gospel should permeate this holy season
As another Christmas season approaches, may these lessons compel believers to reflect on and rejoice in Emmanuel once more, just as the angels, shepherds and Magi did that first Christmas.
Final Thoughts
Christmastide is a joyous time of celebrating Christ’s birth and God’s incredible gift of salvation through His Son. The biblical accounts of the nativity provide rich details that have inspired 2,000 years of traditions, worship services, music, symbolism and other Christmas season customs. As this most special season on the Christian calendar approaches each year, reflecting on the foundations and meanings behind Christmastide provides inspiration to worship Christ the newborn King and share the holy joy of Christmas with others.
