Christmas(which means "Feast day of Christ") is aChristianholidaythat honors the birth ofJesus(whom Christians believe is the Son ofGod), and aculturalholiday for non-Christians.[1]
The day known as Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th day of December. It is one of the most important days of the year for Christians, along withEasterwhen the death andresurrection of Jesusare celebrated. The season of preparing for Christmas is calledAdventand begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas. The Christmas Season (called Christmastide) ends on January 6 or the Twelfth Day of Christmas, in whichEpiphanyis remembered.
Christmas is celebrated all over the world, as areligiousholiday or as a time ofcelebrationby Christians and non-Christians alike. Thetraditionsare different fromcountryto country, but they nearly always include afeast, giving gifts or cards, and enjoyingchurchor public festivities such as singingChristmas carolsand songs.Santa Clausis a tradition in many countries of the world.
Christmastime, as it is often called, is in thewinterof theNorthern Hemisphere, at a time when there were already ancientfestivals. Some of the traditions that are used for Christmas are older than Christmas, or come from other non-Christian traditions such asYule. Modern traditions of Christmas often focus on the giving ofgifts. The season forretail storesto sell gifts, food,greeting cards,Christmas trees, anddecorationsbegins the day about a month before Christmas Day.
