but why is it a public holiday in France (and other countries)?

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That's it, Christmas is here, this Wednesday, December 25, 2024. A celebration appreciated by young people for the gifts, but also by adults, because it is synonymous with a public holiday. As with other non-working days, this tradition comes to us from Catholicism.

A celebration dating back to the Roman Empire

Celebrating Christmas on December 25 is a tradition that dates back to the 4th century AD. We know, “it is a celebration which marks the day of the birth of Jesus”, recallsactu.fr Nadine Cretin, historian of festivals, specializing in religious anthropology.

According to the historian, we find a trace of the birth of Christ in a Roman calendar in 354.

Easter used to be the main holiday for Catholics. But the Nativity has become a very important celebration.

And all over the world, Christians celebrate Christmas on the same day, December 25.

Two public holidays for Christmas in other countries

In France, December 25 is one of the 11 official public holidays. According to Nadine Cretin, “this date was a public holiday very early”. Having a day off allowed families to go to church to pray. “It’s a public holiday that was really respected,” insists the specialist in religious holidays.

Even today, some attend mass on December 25, although they do not go to church the rest of the year.

And although the 25th is a common date for Christians, some countries have an additional public holiday.

In other countries, such as Germany or England, the 25th and 26th are public holidays. It's what we call Boxing Day across the Channel.

In Alsace and Moselle, December 26 is also a public holiday. This day has been a non-working day since 1892, when the region still belonged to Germany. Since then, the custom has not changed.

The public holiday is not deducted from paid leave

For most, December 25 is therefore synonymous with rest (even if family meals on this day are not always the most relaxing). But in certain sectors, employees must continue to work. This is the case for the hotel, catering, media and entertainment sectors, etc.

And apart from exceptions, employees receive the same salary if they work on the 25th, as explained on the Labor Inspectorate website.

In principle, employees cannot request a pay increase for being at work over Christmas. However, an employee who must report to work on Christmas Day may receive additional remuneration if their collective employment agreement provides for it.

If your business is open at Christmas, but you want not to work, “one day of paid leave will have to be taken into account,” warns the Labor Inspectorate.

On the contrary, if the business does not operate on December 25, “the public holiday is not deducted from paid leave”.

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