Changes

[[Image:Parmigianino Virgin with Child.jpg|right|thumb|The Holy Virgin with her Child]]

[[Image:Christmas market in Nuremberg.jpg|right|thumb|The Christmas market in Nuremberg.]]

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus. The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ's [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the Russian and Ukrainian churches, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

'''Christmas''' is a holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus. The word "Christmas" comes from "Christ's [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]]." A few churches, including the Russian and Ukrainian churches, still celebrate according to the [[Julian calendar]]. December 25 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7 on the [[Gregorian calendar]].

==History==

==History==

[[File:Santa Claus 1.jpg|right|thumb|Santa Claus]]

[[Image:Parmigianino Virgin with Child.jpg|right|thumb|The Holy Virgin with her Child]]

===Biblical basis===

===Biblical basis===

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 magi bringing gifts of "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" are from Matthew.

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 magi bringing gifts of "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" are from Matthew.

===Post-Reformation===

===Post-Reformation===

In the United States, the image of [[Santa Claus]] (i.e. Saint Nicholas) and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Christmas was declared a national holiday by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870. In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in [[The Netherlands]], Santa Claus is shown in a [[bishop]]'s miter. In some countries, Saint Nicholas is not associated with the holiday at all; for example, in [[Spain]] it is the magi who bring gifts to children, and in [[Hawaii]] it is the jolly native Kamaunamauna. However, the tradition of Christmas gift-giving is prevalent in all cultures.

In the United States, the image of [[Santa Claus]] (i.e. Saint Nicholas) and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Christmas was declared a national holiday by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870. In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in [[The Netherlands]], Santa Claus is shown in a [[bishop]]'s miter. In some countries, Saint Nicholas is not associated with the holiday at all; for example, in [[Spain]] it is the magi who bring gifts to children, and in [[Hawaii]] it is the jolly native Kamaunamauna. However, the tradition of Christmas gift-giving is prevalent in all cultures.