Christmas is an annual festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. Here are some key facts about Christmas:
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Origin: The English term "Christmas" is of fairly recent origin and denotes "mass on Christs day". The older term "Yule" dates from when the period was a celebration of the winter solstice.
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Celebration: Christmas is a Christian holiday that is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike, and is often observed as a secular family holiday. It is a public holiday in many countries and forms an integral part of the holiday season organized around it.
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Traditions: Christmas is celebrated with various traditions around the world, including the exchange of gifts, decorating Christmas trees, and the singing of Christmas carols. In some countries, it is also celebrated with markets and lights.
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Date: Christmas Day always occurs on December 25 for Western Christian churches, though some cultures observe the main celebration on the night prior, Christmas Eve. However, part of the Eastern Christian Churches celebrate Christmas on December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar.
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Meaning: For Christians, Christmas is a sacred holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the spiritual leader and founder of Christianity. Theologically, the feast day reminded Christians of Gods gift of Jesus to humankind.
In summary, Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is observed by billions of people around the world with various traditions.