The real day of Christ’s birth is unknown – only the fact of Jesus’ birth is mentioned in the gospels. In Egypt in the III century, the birthday of Jesus Christ was celebrated on March 25. Also in other Eastern countries, people associate this day with the spring solstice. In Rome, December 25 as the birthday of Christ began to be celebrated around 336. In 274, Emperor Marcus Aurelius declared December 25 a national holiday in honor of the birth of the “invincible Sun God”, thus trying to strengthen the pagan state.
In order to reduce this pagan influence, Christians have started to celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, thereby confirming that Christ is the “light of the world” and the “sun of righteousness”. From Rome, this tradition quickly spread to Africa, Spain, Northern Italy, Gaul.
Tonight, Christian congregations in Latvia are holding holiday services.
The Christmas liturgy includes the Vigil Mass, which is held in Catholic churches on the evening of Christmas Vigil, December 24. “Vigilare” means “to be awake”. In ancient times, people prayed, fasted and gave thanks all night before a big holiday. December 24 was also such a fasting day. Now on this day the fast is cancelled.
The seven days following Christmas are called the Christmas Octave. On these days, the prayers of the Holy Mass are adapted to the event of Christmas. The Sunday after Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family.