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

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

[[File:Nativity tree.jpg|thumb|244x244px|A [[Christmas tree]] and a [[Nativity scene]], two popular parts of Christmas]]

[[File:Nativity tree.jpg|thumb|244x244px|A [[Christmas tree]] and a [[Nativity scene]], two popular parts of Christmas]]

'''Christmas''' (which means “The [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] of Christ”) is a [[Christian]] [[holiday]] that celebrates the birth of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God. Christmas is also a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for many non-Christians all over the world. It is usually celebrated in the month of [[December]], with the main day being '''Christmas Day''' on [[December 25]].

'''Christmas''' (which means “The [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] of Christ”) is a [[Christian]] [[holiday]] that celebrates the birth of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]], who Christians believe is the Son of God. Christmas is also a [[culture|cultural]] holiday for many non-Christians all over the world. It is usually celebrated in the month of [[December]], with the main day being '''Christmas Day''' on [[December 25]].

== Religious meaning ==

== Religious meaning ==

Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th of December.  It is an important day, mainly 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. The Christmas season (called Christmastide) ends 6 January, also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas. On this day, Christians celebrate ‘’[[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]‘’. Many Christians also attend [[Church (building)|Church]] on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th of December.  It is an important day, mainly 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. The Christmas season (called Christmastide) ends 6 January, also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas. On this day, Christians celebrate ‘’[[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]‘’. Many Christians also attend [[Church (building)|Church]] on Christmas Day.

File:Nativity from Sherbrooke Missal cropped.jpg|''The Nativity'', from a 14th-century [[missal]], a liturgical book containing texts and music necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year

File:Nativity from Sherbrooke Missal cropped.jpg|''The Nativity'', from a 14th-century [[missal]], a liturgical book containing texts and music necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year

File:Scrooges third visitor-John Leech,1843 edit.jpg|[[Ebenezer Scrooge]] and the [[Ghost of Christmas Present]]. From [[Charles Dickens]]'s ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'', 1843.

File:Scrooges third visitor-John Leech,1843 edit.jpg|[[Ebenezer Scrooge]] and the [[Ghost of Christmas Present]]. From [[Charles Dickens]]'s ''[[A Christmas Carol]]'', 1843

 

File:Christmarkt.jpg|19th century lithograph showing the ''[[Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg|Christkindlesmarkt]]'' (Christmas market) in Nuremberg, Germany

File:The Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle, by J. L. Williams - ILN 1848 (cropped).jpg|The Queen's Christmas tree at [[Windsor Castle]], published in the ''Illustrated London News'', 1848

File:The Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle, by J. L. Williams - ILN 1848 (cropped).jpg|The Queen's Christmas tree at [[Windsor Castle]], published in the ''Illustrated London News'', 1848

File:The Christmas Visit. Postcard, c. 1910.jpg|The Christmas Visit. Postcard, {{c.|1910}}

File:The Christmas Visit. Postcard, c. 1910.jpg|The Christmas Visit. Postcard, {{c.|1910}}

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== Related pages ==

== Related pages ==