When is Christmas and New Year celebrated across the world? Is there a difference between Christmas vs New Year?
If it’s unclear to you to understand the difference between Christmas and New Year, here is an article that explains the difference between these most famous celebrated festivals of the year.
Christmas is a time of celebration, especially for Christians who believe that Jesus Christ was born on that special day in Bethlehem. However, there are some Christians who would say otherwise regarding the month that Jesus Christ was born.
It’s been a debate for a long time now but Christmas remains a period where most Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The New Year is the first day of January, a week after the celebration of Christmas.
The celebration starts on Christmas Eve which is usually the 24th of December. It’s a time when children are filled with expectations, with a promise of seeing Santa Claus.
Christmas and New Year celebrations are the most famous celebrations in the world and we will be looking at the difference and specific dates for these special festivals.
What Is Christmas?
Christmas is the most celebrated festival around the world by Christians to remember the birth of Jesus Christ.
According to the English dictionary, Christmas is a celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a widely celebrated festival that falls on the 25th of December every year.
Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time when family and friends share gifts amongst themselves. It snows during Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere and people decorate their homes with Christmas trees, with gifts at the bottom.
According to Britannica, Christmas is the Christian Festival when believers celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The word “Christmas” refers to (mass on Christ’s day).
Yule, which is the term originally is believed to have been derived from “jol” (Germanic) or “geol” ( Anglo-Saxon). “jol” or “geol” refers to the feast of the winter solstice according to Britannica.com.
The word “Christmas” in Spanish is Navidad- it’s Natale in Italian and Noël in French.
Christmas is a widely celebrated festival by Christians. It has been a secular family holiday since the early 1990s. It’s celebrated by both Christians and unbelievers.
The most wonderful time of the year is not just about family and friends sharing gifts amongst themselves. It’s also a time when families share meals with their loved ones. Churches also hold Christmas services on 25th December every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
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Christmas vs New Year: More Facts about Christmas
The date on which Christians celebrate Christmas was chosen over three centuries ago. According to sources online, Pope Julius 1 chose the date December 25th in 350 AD.
The December 25th date was selected because it corresponds with the pagan festivals. The pagan festivals are celebrated either on December 21st or 22nd every year.
Based on a common belief, the Sun becomes brighter as the days go by after the 21st and 22nd of December. This is believed to be a symbol depicting how Christ developed from a child to an immortal.
We can talk about Christmas without bringing Santa Claus into the discussion. Most kids are happy Santa Claus will be giving out gifts, while some kids do not believe that Santa is real.
Santa Claus is a celebrated character who has a connection with Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a Christian saint who showed compassion for the poor and needy.
Saint Nicholas cared for kids and so his honorary day was chosen to be December 6th.
What Is New Year?
New Year just as the name implies, is the first day of January- the first day of the modern Georgian Calendar and Julian Calendar. New Year’s Day is just a week after Christmas Day (December 25th).
The celebration to welcome the New Year starts on New Year’s Eve, which is usually the 31st of December. It’s a night where around the world gather, waiting to welcome the first second of the New Year.
Celebrating the New Year is also as exciting as celebrating Christmas. Cities around the welcome the New Year in their own unique way. It’s usually a count down and the first few seconds of the New Year is followed by fireworks and celebrations.
Celebrations during the New Year include concerts, parties, family and friends gatherings, parades, etc. Most people spend hours waiting on New Year’s Eve before midnight to welcome the New Year.
Countries in the Far East are the first to welcome the New Year hours before those in the Western Hemisphere.
Both Christmas and New Year are holiday periods in different countries around the world. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom observe a public holiday on January 1st.
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What Is the Difference between Christmas vs New Year?
December 25th and January 1st are dates of celebration for both Christians and non-Christians.
The main difference between Christmas vs New Year is that the latter is celebrated at the end of a calendar year, welcoming the new, while the former is the most celebrated festival of the year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time when family and friends share gifts amongst themselves. It snows during Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere and people decorate their homes with Christmas trees, with gifts at the bottom.
On the other hand, the New Year is the first day of January- the first day of the modern Georgian Calendar and Julian Calendar.
Celebrating the New Year is also as exciting as celebrating Christmas. Cities around the welcome the New Year in their own unique way. It’s usually a count down and the first few seconds of the New Year is followed by fireworks and celebrations.
Celebrations during the New Year include concerts, parties, family and friends gatherings, parades, etc.
Both Christmas and New Year are holiday periods in different countries around the world. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom observe a public holiday on January 1st.
Christmas vs New Year: Comparison Chart
| Christmas | New Year | |
| Meaning | A celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a widely celebrated festival that falls on the 25th of December every year. | The first day of January- the first day of the modern Georgian Calendar and Julian Calendar. |
| Dates of Celebration | December 25th | January 1st |
| Common Symbols | Santa Clause, Christmas trees, star | Countdown clock, fireworks |
| Traditional Colours | Red and green | Variety of colours |
| Basis of Celebration | Religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ | Celebrating the beginning of the New Year |
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Christmas vs New Year: Examples of Sentences with Christmas and New Year
Let’s look at a few examples of sentences with the term “Christmas”.
Simple Sentences with Christmas
- Laura was excited because her cousins would be visiting her on Christmas.
- The city gets its heavy snowfall during the week before Christmas.
- She got a promotion just before Christmas.
- The family spent time together shopping for Christmas.
- The last time we had this much fun was last Christmas.
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Simple Sentences with New Year
- There was a mass shooting a few days after the New Year celebration.
- Maria was born on New Year’s Day in 2003.
- People gather to experience the city’s fireworks to welcome the New Year.
- Now that the New Year’s celebration is over, it’s time to go back to school.
- It was a tragic event that occurred during the New Year celebration.
Conclusion
The main difference between Christmas and New Year is that the latter is celebrated at the end of a calendar year, welcoming the new, while the former is the most celebrated festival of the year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Celebrating the New Year is also as exciting as celebrating Christmas.