Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus and is marked by festivities that blend the remembrance of this sacred event with a variety of customs influenced by ancient winter celebrations. Traditions include setting up Nativity scenes, decorating with holly and Christmas trees, exchanging gifts and cards, and welcoming Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Central themes of Christmas encompass goodwill, compassion, and peace. Around the world, Christmas Day is observed on December 25, following Christmas Eve on December 24, and in some cultures is succeeded by Boxing Day on December 26.
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, while certain old rite or old style Eastern Orthodox Churches observe it on January 7, which aligns with the 25th of December on the Julian calendar. It is important to note that the December 25 date is traditional and not universally accepted as Jesus’s actual birthdate.
One Day in Three Sixty Five
by Ald FrenchChristmas (PDF, zipped)
