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[[Image:Merry Christmas.gif|right|260px]]

[[Image:Merry Christmas.gif|right|260px]]

'''Christmas''' is a Christian [[holiday]] which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus Christ]]. Christmas is typically celebrated on December 25th. The word Christmas comes from "Christ's [[mass]]," and the [[Roman Catholic]] church and most [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations observe Christmas after sundown on the 24th of [[December]]. Some [[Eastern Orthodox Church]](s) practice it on January 6th, combining the day with [[Epiphany]]. Orthodox practice a [[Christmas Fast]] lasting 40 days (November 15 to December 24).

'''Christmas''' is a Christian [[holiday]] which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus Christ]]. Christmas is typically celebrated on December 25th.

The story of the birth of Christ is told in the opening chapters of the [[Gospel of Luke]] and the [[Gospel of Matthew]]. Each contains different elements of "the Christmas Story." The visit of the Archangel to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus in a [[manger]] are from Luke. The story of the Star of [[Bethlehem]] and the visit from the Wise Men bringing gifts of "[[gold]], and [[frankincense]] and [[myrrh]]" are from Matthew.  

The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ's [[mass]]," and the [[Roman Catholic]] church and most [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations observe Christmas after sundown on the 24th of [[December]]. Some [[Eastern Orthodox Church]](s) practice it on January 6th, combining the day with [[Epiphany]]. Orthodox practice a [[Christmas Fast]] lasting 40 days (November 15 to December 24).

It is worthwhile to note that December 25th is likely not the date of Jesus' actual birth. In the Biblican description of Jesus' birth, He was visited by three shepards who had been out that night with their sheep. Shepards would not have been out with their sheep in the winter. Jesus' birth date is more commonly agreed to be some time in the Autumn. It wasn't until A.D. 440 that the church officially proclaimed December 25 as the birth of Christ. This was not based on any religious evidence but on a pagan feast. Saturnalia was a tradition inherited by the Roman pagans from an earlier Babylonian priesthood. December 25 was used as a celebration of the birthday of the sun god. It was observed near the winter solstice. <ref> [http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/was-jesus-born-on-december-25-faq.htm] </ref>

 

It is worthwhile to note that December 25th is likely not the date of Jesus' actual birth. In the Biblical description of Jesus' birth, He was visited by three shepherds who had been out that night with their sheep. Shepherds would not have been out with their sheep in the winter. Jesus' birth date is more commonly agreed to be some time in the autumn. It was not until A.D. 440 that the church officially proclaimed December 25 as the birth of Christ. This was not based on any religious evidence but on a pagan feast. [[Saturnalia]] was a tradition inherited by the Roman pagans from an earlier Babylonian priesthood. December 25 was used as a celebration of the birthday of the sun god. It was observed near the winter solstice. <ref> [http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/was-jesus-born-on-december-25-faq.htm] </ref>

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a [[Christmas tree]] (typically an evergreen tree) in their house, sing [[carol]]s (songs), and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Wise Men and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as gift to mankind from [[God]].

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a [[Christmas tree]] (typically an evergreen tree) in their house, sing [[carol]]s (songs), and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Wise Men and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as gift to mankind from [[God]].