Christmas is one of the world’s biggest religious and commercial festivities. It is celebrated every year on December 25.
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, but since then, numerous other traditions have been mixed with the originals. The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". "Cristes" is from Greek Christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa (the holy mass).
Popular customs include gift-giving, decorating Christmas trees, display lights and garlands, church celebrations, sharing traditional Christmas foods (e.g. baked turkey and gingerbread cookies) with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.
Who was Santa Claus? Father Christmas (or 'Santa Claus') has become the face of Christmas. He is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, which explains his other name 'Santa Claus' which comes from the Dutch 'Sinterklaas'. Nicholas was a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was very shy, and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings. (copied from google!)
In my country we have a similar holiday, but it’s non-religious. We celebrate it on December 31 and call it “New Year”. Santa Claus is also called different name “Grandfather Frost”. But in general we celebrate it the same way. It is a time for families, fun, and festivities! A time of family gatherings and holiday meals. A time for ornaments, gifts, decorated trees and twinkling lights.
I think Christmas is one of the biggest holiday all over the world which is loved by almost every person, especially by children and it is something more because it brings hope and happiness to people.
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