Interesting question: what number is Christmas?

One of the most significant holidays of the entire Christian world, the Nativity of Christ, still causes controversy and disagreement within the church. So what number is Christmas? Almost all Christians celebrate it on December 25 of each year. However, Orthodox Christians revere the birth of the baby Jesus on January 7, given the so-called old style. Strangely enough, but in both cases it is about the same calendar day. It's just that Europe has lived on its calendar for many centuries, and in the same way, in order to avoid possible difficulties, the young Soviet state passed in 1917 as well. But our Orthodox Church has remained forever faithful to the old Gregorian calendar and continues to celebrate all its holidays.

And one more branch of the Christian church celebrates this day in its own way. Observing the traditions of the ancient eastern dioceses, the Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, uniting it together with the Epiphany holiday into a single feast of the Epiphany.

There is no direct mention of the number of Christmas in the Bible or in any of the Gospels. There is only a clear and understandable answer, when the martyr's death was accepted by the Redeemer - on this day the Easter is celebrated. And Sunday is considered a festive day to commemorate the Holy Resurrection.

Since the beginning of the last millennium, many church scholars have conducted research on the subject of the date of Christmas. As a result, the theory of Dionysius the Small, which in 525 year introduced the "chronology of the Nativity of Christ", became generally accepted. According to the Hebrew legend, the life of Christ on Earth lasted an even full number of years. Thus, counting from the date of Easter (March 25) nine months, received the date of birth of the Savior.

Meanwhile, many historians see on this date the desire of the Christian church to ward off its unstable flock from the celebration of pagan rites. After all, this day is the day of the winter solstice, which was revered in many pagan religions.

Christmas is a great holiday. The light of love and forgiveness unites all Christian humanity in this sacred day for a great number of people. Children are preparing for him, waiting for gifts. The tradition of giving and receiving gifts for Christmas, too, came to ordinary human life from the Bible. Magi from all over the world, having learned of the birth of the son of God, brought him gifts. So we give gifts to those people whom we love and respect. After all, it's so nice to receive on this holiday, but also to give gifts. And not necessarily they should cost dearly, you can make them yourself. Yes, and a beautiful wrapper will give the most souvenir a festive look.

Each house is filled with fun, happiness on Christmas Day. The number of people who expect a miracle, themselves do good deeds, increases in these holidays. And they are not too concerned about the church's underlying background and the number of Christmas.

Many residents of the post-Soviet space, who consider themselves Christians, have solved this issue very simply. And, not really thinking about the number of Christmas, they celebrate it twice: in the Gregorian and in the Julian style.