Christmas
Also called	Christs Mass Nativity Yule Tide Noel Winter Pascha
Observed by	Christians Many non-Christians 1
Type	Christian cultural
Significance	Nativity of Jesus
Date	December 25
Observances	Religious services gift giving family meetings decorating trees
Related to	Annunciation Advent Epiphany Baptism of the Lord Winter solstice

Christmas also referred to as Christmas Day is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ^{2 3} The day marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide which lasts twelve days. ⁴ The nativity of Jesus which is the basis for the anno Domini system of dating is thought to have occurred between 7 and 2 BC. ⁵ December 25 is not known to be Jesus actual date of birth and the date may have been chosen to correspond with either a Roman festival ⁶ or the winter solstice. ⁷

Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving Church celebrations and the display of various decorationsincluding the Christmas tree lights mistletoe nativity scenes and holly. Santa Claus is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas for children. Santa is generally believed to be the result of a syncretization between Saint Nicholas and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology and his modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media.

Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular cultural festival. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.