4 reasons why some people celebrate Christmas in January

It might shock you to know that there are some people who celebrate Christmas in January, instead of December. There are several reasons why they do so. Here are a few possible explanations:

1. Eastern Orthodox Tradition:

In many Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Christmas is celebrated according to the Julian calendar, which places Christmas on January 7th. The Julian calendar, named after Julius Caesar, differs from the Gregorian calendar commonly used in the Western world, which places Christmas on December 25th. The Eastern Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar for liturgical purposes, including the celebration of Christmas.

2. Cultural or Regional Traditions:

In some regions, particularly in Eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East, there are cultural or regional traditions that have preserved the celebration of Christmas on January 7th. This may be due to historical reasons, cultural influences, or a blend of different religious practices.

3. Historical Calendar Adjustments:

The shift from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 by many Western countries resulted in a discrepancy between the two calendars. This difference led to a shift of dates, including the celebration of Christmas. As a result, some Eastern Orthodox churches that did not adopt the Gregorian calendar still celebrate Christmas on the older date.

4. Commemorating Different Events:

While December 25th is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ in most Christian traditions, some communities choose to celebrate other events related to Jesus’ life during the Christmas season. For example, in Armenian Christianity, Christmas is celebrated on January 6th to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

It’s important to note that these are general explanations, and the specific reasons for celebrating Christmas in January may vary among different communities and cultures.