Do Protestants have unique Christmas traditions and celebrations compared to Catholics?
Christmas has pagan origins, and early Protestants were hesitant to celebrate it due to its non-Christian roots.
Christmas was not widely celebrated in the United States until the 19th century, due in part to Puritan resistance.
Martin Luther, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, preached about the significance of Christmas as the day Jesus became humanity's brother.
Contrary to popular belief, the Coca-Cola company did not invent the modern image of Santa Claus; it was popularized in the 1930s, building on earlier traditions.
While Catholics traditionally celebrate Christmas Eve mass at midnight, Protestant services often take place in the afternoon.
The holiday of Epiphany, celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6, is observed by many Protestants and Catholics alike.
Protestant denominations like the Jehovah's Witnesses and some Baptist groups do not celebrate Christmas due to the lack of biblical authority.
Protestant holidays around the Christmas season include Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, in addition to holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Gift-giving is a significant tradition for many Protestants, symbolizing the gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus.
While church attendance on Christmas Day has been declining in recent years, some churches still hold multiple services throughout the day to accommodate demand.
Smaller majorities of white Catholics, black Protestants, and white mainline Protestants see Christmas as a religious holiday rather than a cultural one.
Among the religiously unaffiliated, two-thirds celebrate Christmas as a cultural holiday, rather than a religious one.
Some Protestant groups, such as the Quakers and the Salvation Army, do not emphasize the celebration of Christmas as a central part of their faith.
While many Protestants celebrate Christmas, the holiday remains a subject of controversy and debate within certain denominations and communities.