Christmas Traditions and Celebrations

Study Notes

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is said to be the son of God.
The holiday is celebrated by Christians, as well as by many non-Christians.
The traditional Christmas narrative recounted in the New Testament, known as the Nativity of Jesus, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Christmas is a public holiday in many countries, and is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians.
The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins.
Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar, Christmas music, caroling, viewing a Nativity play, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.
Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses.

Description

Explore the cultural and religious significance of Christmas, its traditional customs, and the mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular origins associated with the holiday. Delve into the modern practices of gift-giving, festive decorations, and the economic impact of Christmas as a significant event for retailers and businesses.