Christ is Born!
Date
• January 7 of each year.
• Christian Orthodox churches calculate the date
according to the Julian calendar so the date usually
occurs after the western observance.
• Check the Calendar Index for Religious Holidays
during the current academic year for the exact date.
Greetings
Christians have historically celebrated this day (and
the weeks leading up to it, known as the “Christmas
season”) by greeting others with the words, “Merry
Christmas.” Some Orthodox Christians greet each
other with “Christ is Born” and in reply “Glorify Him”.
Common Practices and Celebrations
• Attending Church services on Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day.
• Christmas is not about presents; it is a time to heal
the soul. It is also a time of peace, joy, and unity.
• Many fast for 40 days before Christmas Day as a
means of preparing to celebrate Jesus Christ’s
birth.
Impact to U-M Community
• Christian Orthodox observers may request the day
off.
• Link to U-M Guidance Regarding Conflicts.
U-M Campus Resources
• Maize Pages - Orthodox, U-M
• Association of Religious Counselors, U-M
Information Sources
• Time and Date, holidays
• Blue Letter Bible, Matthew 1-2
• Blue Letter Bible, Luke 1-2
Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and
Protestant Christians all celebrate the
birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th,
but the Eastern Orthodox use the Julian
Calendar and the Western churches
use the Gregorian Calendar. Because
of the thirteen-day difference between
the two calendars, the Eastern Orthodox
Christmas falls on January 7 in the
Gregorian (Western) calendar.
The precise date of the birth of Jesus
Christ is unknown. Its occurrence in
the early 1st century B.C. in Bethlehem
is recorded in the Christian Scriptures
(the Bible) in Matthew chapters 1-2 and
Luke chapters 1-2. Christians believe the
conception and birth of Jesus is how the
Son of God became a human.
Eastern Orthodox
Christmas
kris·muhsOrthodox Christian
This collection of information sheets on major holidays
and cultural events is a joint partnership of the School of
Information staff, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
and the Office of the Provost. Facts have been vetted by
U-M’s Association of Religious Counselors (ARC), and other
campus groups. Public feedback is welcome; please email
Photo credit:
iStock/Sviatlana Lazarenka
Edited 7/27/2021
