Christmas Day is the second of the two Christian religious holidays celebrated with Singapore public holidays, and takes place on 25th December every year. Christmas Day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Christian faith.
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah. Historians say that Christmas has been celebrated on this date since the fourth century, when a feast took place in Rome. Some of the traditions that take place at Christmas are derived from pagan winter festivals, such as giving gifts and the Yule log.
Christmas is a great excuse to shop ’til you drop, eat delicious festive food, and spend time with the family.
It is an integral part of the winter holiday season, and features heavily in the media during December. Christians and non-Christians decorate their homes with traditional decorations such as Christmas trees and lights.
On Christmas Day, people get together with family and friends to exchange presents and eat Christmas dinner. This typically features a range of traditional treats such as turkey, stuffing and cranberry.
Many public areas of Singapore are decorated with lights for Christmas, particularly the shopping streets. The most famous Christmas lights in Singapore can be seen on Orchard Road, the busiest shopping street, and they are considered to be among the best Christmas lights in the world. Although 25th December is a public holiday, shopping centres, restaurants and other amenities are still open, and they are often busy with non-Christians out enjoying their day off work. Restaurants often serve a special Christmas menu during December, putting a festive twist on their regular fare.
Christmas Church Services
Christians in Singapore often attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some churches hold a family service in the early evening on Christmas Eve, to allow those with children to attend at a reasonable hour, and a later service starting at around 11pm. Christians celebrate Christmas to remember the true meaning of Christmas and as a way to welcome the holiday, which can easily be forgotten in a modern, highly commercialised city such as Singapore.