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'''Christmas''' is a [[holiday]] which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], literally Christ's mass. The mass is celebrated after sundown on the 24th of December by the Roman Catholic church and most Protestant denominations, and on January 7th by the Orthodox Catholic Church.  

'''Christmas''' is a [[holiday]] which celebrates the birth of [[Jesus Christ]], literally Christ's mass. The mass is celebrated after sundown on the 24th of December by the Roman Catholic church and most Protestant denominations, and on January 7th by the Orthodox Catholic Church.  

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 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.  

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a Christmas tree (i.e. pine) in their house, sing carols (songs), and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, 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 (i.e. pine) tree in their house, sing carols (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.

==History==

==History==

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.") In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in the Netherlands, Santa Claus is shown a bishop's mitre.

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.") In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in the Netherlands, Santa Claus is shown a bishop's mitre.

In the United States, during the twentieth century, gift-giving assumed a greater and greater role, and by mid-century had become of great commercial importance, to the point where some felt the religious aspects were becoming forgotten. As Stan Freberg put it<ref>in a recording, "Green Christmas"</ref> in 1958, "There are two S's in Christmas and they're ''both'' dollar signs." The single week before Christmas currently accounts for 25% to 30% of all retail sales. Meanwhile, Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday which falls at about the same time of year&mdash;and which had once been a relatively minor religious holiday&mdash;evolved to become a sort of Jewish counterpart to Christmas. In some workplaces and liberal public dialogue, the two celebrations are sometimes referred to as "the holiday season."

In the United States, during the twentieth century, gift-giving assumed a greater and greater role, and by mid-century had become of great commercial importance, to the point where some felt the religious aspects were becoming forgotten. As Stan Freberg put it<ref>in a recording, "Green Christmas"</ref> in 1958, "There are two S's in Christmas and they're ''both'' dollar signs." The single week before Christmas currently accounts for 25% to 30% of all retail sales.  

 

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. Bing Crosby, a devout Catholic, initially refused to sing ''White Christmas'' because of its having been written by a Jew and containing no explicitly religious content; he changed his mind; the song become his greatest hit. Currently, the War on Christmas continues in the on-line world. For instance, in Wikipedia, the topic of Christmas has been overrun by secular and pagan editors.

==Modern-day cultural significance==

==Modern-day cultural significance==

In recent years, the celebration of Christmas has become part of the "culture wars," with Christian conservatives asking for an increased recognition of the religious core of the holiday, and for maintaining a separation between it and other holidays occuring at the same time of year, while [[liberal]]s would rather see it combined with other seasonal holidays.

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. In recent years, the celebration of Christmas has become part of the "culture wars." [[Fox News]] pundits [[John Gibson]] and [[Bill O'Reilly]] claim that Christmas has come under attack by "[[liberal]]s. Christian conservatives want an increased recognition of the religious core of the holiday and for maintaining a separation between Christmas and other holidays occuring at the same time of year. On the other hand [[liberal]]s would rather see it combined with other seasonal holidays.

[[Fox News]] pundits [[John Gibson]] and [[Bill O'Reilly]] claim that Christmas has come under attack by "[[liberal]]s."

Currently, the War on Christmas continues unabated. For instance, in Wikipedia, the topic of Christmas has been overrun by secular and pagan points of view. In Canada, secularists have recently removed a Christmas the from the lobby of a courthouse due to their anti-Christian bias.  

==Notes and references==

==Notes and references==

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