Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.Christmas combines the celebration of Jesus' birth with various other traditions and customs,many of which were influenced by ancient winter festivals such as Yule[1] and Saturnalia.Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees,the exchange of gifts and cards,and the arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve.Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill,giving,compassion,and quality family time.
Christmas Day falls on December 25.It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24,and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day on December 26.Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7,which corresponds to December 25 on the Julian calendar.December 25 as a birthdate for Jesus is merely traditional,and is not widely considered to be his actual date of birth.[2]
Christmas is celebrated in most countries around the world,owing to the spread of Christianity and Western culture.Various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced.