Also called: Christs mass Nativity Yuletide Noel Winter Pascha Observed by: Christians Many non-Christians Type: Christian cultural Significance: Traditional birthday of Jesus Date: December 25 Observances: Gift giving church services family meetings decorating Related to: Annunciation Advent Epiphany Baptism of the Lord Winter solstice. _____________________________________ Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The date of commemoration is not known to be Jesus actual birthday and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either a historical Roman festival or the winter solstice. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday seaso and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide which lasts twelve days. Although traditionally a Christian holiday Christmas is widely celebrated by many non-Christians and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving Christmas carols an exchange of greeting cards church celebrations a special meal and the display of various decorations including Christmas trees lights and garlands mistletoe nativity scenes and holly. In addition Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in North America Australia and Ireland) is a popular mythological figure in many countries associated with the bringing of gifts for children. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.