Changes

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

[[File:Jonathan G Meath portrays Santa Claus.jpg|thumb|upright|Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas portrayed by [[Jonathan Meath]] in 2010]]

'''Christmas''' (which means "The Mass of Christ") is a Christian [[holiday]] that refers to the birth of Jesus (whom Christians believe is the Son of God), and a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for non-Christians.

[[File:Athens Christmas Tree.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A Christmas Tree in Athens [[Greece]]]]

'''Christmas''' (which means "The Mass of Christ") is a [[Christian]] [[holiday]] that celebrates the birth of [[Jesus]].  (Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God).  Christmas is also a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for many non-Christians.

The day known as Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th day of December. It is one of the most important days of the year for Christians, along with [[Easter]] when the death and [[resurrection of Jesus]] are celebrated. The season of preparing for Christmas is called [[Advent]] and begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas. The Christmas Season (called Christmastide) ends 6 January or the Twelfth Day of Christmas, in which ''Epiphany'' is remembered.

Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th day of December. It is one of the most important days of the year for Christians, along with [[Easter]] (which celebrates [[Crucifixion of Jesus|the death]] and [[resurrection of Jesus]]). The season of [[Advent]] begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas. During Advent, people prepare for Christmas.

Christmas is celebrated all over the world, as a religious holiday or as a time of [[Festival|celebration]] by Christians and non-Christians alike. The traditions are different from country to country, but they nearly always include a [[Meal|feast]], giving gifts or cards, and enjoying church or public festivities such as singing [[Christmas carol]]s and songs. [[Santa Claus]] is a tradition in many countries of the world.

The Christmas season (called Christmastide) ends 6 January, also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas. On this day, Christians celebrate ''[[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]''.

Christmastide, as it is often called, is in the winter of the [[Northern Hemisphere]], at a time when there were already ancient festivals. Some of the traditions that are used for Christmas are older than Christmas, or come from other non-Christian traditions such as [[Yule]]. Modern traditions of Christmas often focus on the giving of gifts. The season for [[retail store]]s to sell gifts, food, [[greeting card]]s, [[Christmas tree]]s, and [[Christmas decoration|decorations]] begins the day about a month before Christmas Day.

People celebrate Christmas in many places around the world.  Some people celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.  In some places, Christmas is a time of [[Festival|celebration]] for Christians and non-Christians alike.  Christmas traditions are different in different countries.  However, they almost always include a [[Meal|feast]]; giving gifts or cards; and enjoying church or public festivities, like singing [[Christmas carol]]s and songs.

 

The idea of [[Santa Claus]] is based on [[Saint Nicholas]], a [[4th century|4th-century]] Christian [[saint]] of Greek origin.

 

In the [[Northern Hemisphere]], Christmastide happens during the [[winter]].  Before Christmas was ever celebrated, ancient peoples celebrated winter [[Festival|festivals]]. Some traditions from these ancient festivals became Christmas traditions.  For example, some Christmas traditions come from the [[Paganism|pagan]] holiday of [[Yule]].  

 

Today, Christmas traditions often focus on gift-giving. About a month before Christmas Day, [[retail store]]s start selling gifts, food, [[greeting card]]s, [[Christmas tree]]s, and [[Christmas decoration|decorations]].

== The history of Christmas ==

== The history of Christmas ==

{{main|Jesus}}

{{main|Jesus}}

[[File:The visit of the wise-men.jpg|250px|thumb|A Bible Story picture showing the Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus. Pictures like this were made to teach children at [[Sunday School]].]]

[[File:The visit of the wise-men.jpg|250px|thumb|A Bible Story picture showing the Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus. Pictures like this were made to teach children at [[Sunday School]].]]

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. The story of how this happened is told in part of the Bible known as the Gospels. There are four Gospels telling the life of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke tells the most about his birth, and the Gospel of Matthew tells another part of the story. The Gospel of John says that Jesus came from God to bring his "Word" or message to all people.

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. There are four different [[Gospel|Gospels]] in the [[Bible]] which talk about Jesus’s birth. The [[Gospel of Luke]] gives details about Jesus’s birth.  The [[Gospel of Matthew]] tells another part of the story. The [[Gospel of John]] says that Jesus came from God to bring his "Word" (his message) to all people.  Christians believe these Gospels are based on fact.

The Gospels say that many years before Jesus' birth, [[prophet]]s had told a promise to the Jewish people that God would send them a [[Messiah]], or holy teacher. Christians believe that the promised Messiah was Jesus. His mother was a young woman called Mary, who was engaged, but not yet married to a [[carpenter]] called Joseph. Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant and was upset. He was wondering what he should do, when an angel came from God to tell him that the baby was the Holy One. The angel said that he must ''name the baby''. This was a sign that he would take care of it like his own child.

The Gospels say that many years before Jesus' birth, [[prophet]]s had told a promise to the Jewish people that God would send them a [[Messiah]], or holy teacher. Christians believe that the promised Messiah was Jesus. His mother was a young woman called Mary, who was engaged, but not yet married to a [[carpenter]] called Joseph. Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant and was upset. He was wondering what he should do, when an angel came from God to tell him that the baby was the Holy One. The angel said that he must ''name the baby''. This was a sign that he would take care of it like his own child.