Christmas Australia 2024
Christmas is an annual celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Also called Feast of the Nativity, it’s honoured on December 25 by billions of people worldwide. It’s both a religious and cultural event. In many countries, Christmas Day is a public holiday. Both Christians and non-Christians alike can observe this holiday, and it plays an integral part of the holiday season that falls in December.
In the traditional Christmas story, outlined in the New Testament, it states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This was aligned with messianic prophecies. When his parents Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, there was no room for them to stay at the inn. They were instead offered a stable. Here, Jesus was born. Angels proclaimed the news to the shepherds, who passed it on further.
Christmas in 2024 in Australia is on Wednesday, December 25.
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Etymology
‘Christmas’ is a shortened version of ‘Christ’s mass’. Early recordings of the word include Crīstesmæsse (1038) and Cristes-messe (1131). Christ traces back to a Hebrew translation of ‘anointed’ while mass is from the Latin word for the celebration of Eucharist.
Other names
The holiday has had other names during history. The Anglo-Saxons knew this feast as ‘midwinter’, or even ‘nativity’. In Old English, it was ‘Yule’, meaning the period between December and January. ‘Noel’ became apparent in the late 14th century, deriving from French.
History
No date for Christmas was written in the gospels. However, early Christian worshipers connected Jesus to the sun with such phrases as ‘Sun of righteousness’. In Roman tradition, the winter solstice occurred on December 25. This led to the first recorded Christmas celebration, in Rome on December 25, 336.
In the early 19th century, public figures such as Charles Dickens reconceived the holiday to emphasise family, children, kindness, giving, and Santa Claus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Australia
What day of the week is Christmas in 2024?
Christmas Day 2024 in Australia is on Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
Is Christmas on the 24th?
Christmas Day is celebrated annually on December 25. The day before, December 24, is known as Christmas Eve. It still falls within the Christmas season, and is commonly celebrated by families with presents and a meal.
What do Australians wear at Christmas?
Since Christmas Day falls in summer, Australians wear lightweight clothes suitable for hot weather. Bright shirts, dresses, and shorts are all common festive attire.
Do they say Merry Christmas in Australia?
Yes! Australia’s national language is English, so Aussies say ‘Merry Christmas’ just like England and America.
What do they call Santa in Australia?
Australia’s Christmas traditions came predominantly from England, so Aussies tend to call Santa ‘Father Christmas’. American culture is still influential Down Under, though, so Australians know who ‘Santa Claus’ is and sometimes even use that term.
Does Australia have a Santa Claus?
They do, but due to the weather, he’s unlikely to make it Down Under with his reindeer. Instead, Father Christmas does his rounds pulled by six big kangaroos in typical Aussie style.
