Christmas, observed every year on December 25, is far more than a single religious holiday. Rooted in ancient winter festivals and shaped over centuries by faith, culture, and politics, it has evolved into a global moment of reflection, celebration, and, increasingly, prayer for peace. In 2025, as wars, humanitarian crises, and political divisions continued to cast long shadows, Christmas was marked by both joy and sobriety across continents.
A Festival Older Than Christmas Itself
Long before Christmas commemorated the birth of Jesus Christ, the middle of winter was a season of celebration. Across Europe, ancient societies marked the winter solstice as a turning point—when darkness began to retreat and light slowly returned. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule, burning massive logs for days and feasting in anticipation of renewal and prosperity. In Rome, Saturnalia transformed social order itself, allowing enslaved people temporary freedom while business and schools shut down for revelry.
When Christianity spread across Europe, church leaders strategically aligned the celebration of Christ’s birth with these existing festivals. By the fourth century, December 25 had been formally adopted, not because scripture specified the date, but because it allowed the new faith to absorb familiar customs. Over time, pagan rituals faded, but their spirit of light, generosity, and community endured.
Christmas and the Call for Peace
That legacy of hope was especially visible in Vatican City this year. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi address since becoming pontiff earlier this year. His message was unambiguous: Christmas cannot be separated from compassion.
“How can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” the Pope asked, urging the world not to turn away from those who “have nothing left and have lost everything.” He also appealed for peace in Ukraine, calling on all parties to find “the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.”
The Pope’s words echoed far beyond the Vatican, resonating in regions directly affected by conflict.
War Zones and Quiet Celebrations
In Ukraine, Christmas unfolded under the constant threat of violence. Visiting troops in the Donetsk region, military chaplains sang carols amid armoured vehicles and fortified positions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the nation, contrasted the sounds of celebration with the horrors of war. “We are happy when we hear the music of Christmas,” he said, “but even happier when we do not hear the music of evil, when we do not hear drones and missiles flying overhead.”
In Gaza, the mood was restrained but deeply symbolic. For the first time in two years, churches were able to light Christmas trees following a fragile ceasefire. At the Holy Family Church, worshippers gathered quietly, aware that celebration itself had become an act of resilience.
Syria, too, saw cautious festivities. Despite lingering fears after a deadly attack earlier in the year, Damascus’s Old City glowed with lights and red baubles. “Syria deserves joy and for us to be happy, and to hope for a new future,” said 20-year-old student Loris Aasaf, capturing a sentiment shared by many in the region.
Messages from World Leaders
Across Europe, Christmas messages took on a distinctly moral tone. Britain’s King Charles III urged compassion and reconciliation in a divided world, saying it was “enormously encouraging” to see people of different faiths united by a shared longing for peace. In London, traditions continued with Christmas Day masses at St. Paul’s Cathedral and the annual Peter Pan Cup swim in Hyde Park’s icy Serpentine lake.
In contrast, the United States offered a study in contrasts. While New York City dazzled with lights even as a winter storm threatened post-holiday travel, President Donald Trump used his Christmas message to strike a confrontational tone on social media. At the same time, severe weather in California disrupted celebrations, forcing evacuations and underscoring how climate crises are increasingly shaping holiday experiences.
India and the Global South
In India, Christmas was celebrated with enthusiasm across states, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Goa, and Kochi. Midnight masses drew large congregations, with devotees lining up to receive blessings at churches such as Don Bosco in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas service in Delhi, signaling official recognition of the festival’s importance in India’s multicultural fabric. Still, celebrations were not without controversy, as some right-wing groups questioned the public observance of the holiday.
Elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East, Christmas took on increasingly public forms. In Saudi Arabia, once-known for strictly private observances, shopping malls in Riyadh and Jeddah featured Christmas trees, lights, and festive menus. While largely commercial, these displays reflected gradual social change. In Türkiye, worshippers gathered at the ancient Church of Saint Peter, linking modern celebrations to Christianity’s earliest roots.
A Global Reinvention, Once Again
From its origins in pagan solstice rituals to its reinvention in 19th-century America as a family-centered holiday—shaped by writers like Charles Dickens—Christmas has always adapted to the needs of the moment. In 2025, that need was clear: reassurance, solidarity, and hope.
Even amid war, political division, and humanitarian crises, candles were lit, carols sung, and messages of peace repeated across continents. As Pope Leo XIV reminded the world, Christmas is not merely about celebration, but about responsibility. In a fractured global landscape, the enduring power of Christmas lay not in spectacle, but in its quiet insistence that compassion still matters.
