Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. The date is not central figure of Christianity. The date is not known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, known to be the actual birthday of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, the date of the Jesus had been conceived, the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar, or one of various ancient winter calendar, or one of various ancient winter festivals.festivals.

A special Christmas family meal is an A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the holiday's important part of the holiday's celebration for many, and the food celebration for many, and the food that is served varies greatly from that is served varies greatly from country to country. Some regions, country to country. Some regions, such as Sicily, have special meals for such as Sicily, have special meals for Christmas Eve, when 12 kinds of fish Christmas Eve, when 12 kinds of fish are served. are served.

In England and countries influenced by In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey (brought from North includes turkey (brought from North America), potatoes, vegetables, America), potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake. In Poland and other parts of cake. In Poland and other parts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish often is used for the traditional main often is used for the traditional main course, but richer meat such as lamb is course, but richer meat such as lamb is increasingly served. increasingly served.

The exchanging of gifts is one The exchanging of gifts is one

of the core aspects of the modern of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration, making the Christmas celebration, making the Christmas season the most profitable time Christmas season the most profitable time of year for retailers and businesses of year for retailers and businesses throughout the Western world. Gift giving throughout the Western world. Gift giving was common in the Roman celebration of was common in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, an ancient festival which took Saturnalia, an ancient festival which took place on December 25 and may have place on December 25 and may have influenced Christmas customs. influenced Christmas customs.

Christmas gift giving was banned by Christmas gift giving was banned by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages due to its suspected pagan origins. It due to its suspected pagan origins. It was later rationalized by the Church on was later rationalized by the Church on the basis that it associated St. Nicholas the basis that it associated St. Nicholas with Christmas, and that gifts of gold, with Christmas, and that gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to frankincense and myrrh were given to the infant Jesus by the Biblical Magi. the infant Jesus by the Biblical Magi.

The The Christmas treeChristmas tree is a is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, decorated evergreen coniferous tree,

real or artificial, and a tradition associated with real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The Christmas tree the celebration of Christmas. The Christmas tree is often brought into a home, but can also be used is often brought into a home, but can also be used in the open, and can be decorated with Christmas in the open, and can be decorated with Christmas lights (originally candles), ornaments, garlands lights (originally candles), ornaments, garlands and tinsel during the days around Christmas. An and tinsel during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. The tradition of Bethlehem from the Nativity. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century. in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century.

Christmas is composed by:

Christmas Tree; Christmas Gifts

Santa Claus; Snow

Churches; Jesus

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