
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated Christian festivals all
around the world. It is annual holiday celebrated on the 25th of December
to honor the birth of Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ as he is more
popularly known. It marks the beginning of the Christmas Season, also
known as Christmastide which lasts till 12 days from the day of Christmas,
i.e. from 25th of December till 5th of January. Christmas Day also
corresponds to the onset of winter , the seasonal significance of which
is that of lengthening of nights and shortening of days.
Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population as well as
among a wide population of Non-Christians as a cultural festival.
Christmas season is a season of love for everyone, generosity, kindness,
happiness and laughter. It is a season when everyone comes together in
celebration for the almighty.
When is Christmas
Christmas, Xmas or Christmas Day is celebrated every year on 25th December
and the festivities last for ten day upto the 1st January which is the New
Year Day.
Meaning of Christmas
The English word Christmas has been derived from the words Cristes maesse
(from Middle English), or Christ`s Mass (from old English) meaning Mass on
Chirst's Day. The term Christmas is also abbreviated as Xmas, in which 'X'
has been used for Christ in Roman. Christmas festival is known by different
names like: Nativity, Incarnation, Yule Tide, Noel and Winter Pascha.
History of Christmas
Historians claim that the first celebration of Christmas happened in Rome
in 336 A.D. Early Romans, however, could not profess their religion openly
as Christianity had grown up in blood and tears in Rome. It was only after
the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in 4th century A.D
that the religion came to be followed by vast masses of humanity. This
community then felt the need to celebrate the birth of Christ as a festival.
But different groups had been celebrating Jesus's birth on different dates
like 6th January, 19th April, 20th May, 17th November, 25th December. By the
5th century A.D. 25th December got accepted as the most suitable date in the
Western World and gradually the Eastern Churches fell in line with the west.
Besides, traditionally the middle of winter has long been a time of
celebration around the world. Even before the arrival of Jesus, many peoples
rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind
them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of
sunlight.
Christmas Food And Recipies
It is a great time for food lovers during Christmas on account of the
great variety of food prepared for the same. Christmas food traditionally
includes apple cider, turkey, custard, candy, champagne,
christmas
cookies, fruitcake, gingerbread, ham, hot chocolate, all sorts of pies
like apple, pineapple, pumpkin etc.
Christmas Celebrations
Today, Christmas is celebrated on a grand-scale all over the world.
Christians and even the non-Christian community participate with great
enthusiasm in the various festivities associated with it. Markets, homes and
churches take on a festive air. There is lot of activity all around. So much
enthusiasm is witnessed everywhere that people get high on the spirit of the
festival. Balls, elaborately decorated Christmas trees, delicious cakes and
Santa Claus moving in the streets distributing goodies to the children are
the main attractions of the festival.
People visit friends and relatives on the day and participate in the masses
held in churches. Children particularly enjoy the festival as they receive
gifts from their favourite Santa and elders. They also love decorating
scenes of Nativity in their houses. Exchanging cards has also become a very
important part of the festivities. Besides markets are flooded with a lot of
decorative items on the day. People of all ages look forward to Christmas
holidays with lot of zeal.
Christmas Tree and Christmas Decorations

During the ten days long celebrations of Christmas or Xmas one thing among
the others plays a pivot role that is called a Christmas Tree. As an
integral part of the traditions associated with this festival, a Christmas
Tree is bought and placed inside or outside the house and decorated with
lots of colorful goodies like stars, balloons, candies, light-bulbs, teddies
with an angle placed at the top as the host of the angles. To place the
Christmas Tree both natural and artificial trees are in which the artificial
ones are sold in different shapes and sizes, right from the desk-top size to
the larger ones. There are several other options of Christmas Tree made of
plastic and metals like aluminum. For
decoration of a Christmas Tree,
generally the family traditions and individuals' likings prevail but most
commonly the tree is adorned by colors, lights and shimmering ornaments.
Santa Claus The Father of Christmas

Santa Claus is also known popularly as Saint Nicholas, Father of Christmas
and represents the spirit of merriment and the joy of giving gifts to good
children across the world. This legend is believed by some to have
originated from Saint Nicholas who is considered to be a historical figure
of giving gifts.
Christmas Shopping
Christmas is also a great time for
shopping with all outlets offering huge discounts. It is also customary to shop for gifts for your family and
friends. One can gift just about anything on Christmas. Traditional
Christmas Shopping includes buying decorative materials, Christmas Trees,
Yule logs, Mistletoe, candys,
toys, cookies and other gifts. These days, people gift video games, books, comics and even skates, skis, holidays and
so on. One can find very good bargains in shopping complexes and malls
during Christmas and almost everyone takes advantage of them.
Christmas celebrations in India-Christmas celebrations most prevalent in Goa
Christmas Celebrations in Goa.
Christmas is celebrated widely across India, but it’s presence is
undeniably most prevalent in Goa. This is because of the great influence
of Christianity there. Historically, it is supposed to be a
semi-Portuguese colony. Besides this, because of its beauty of unparallel
beaches and scenic beauty, it is one of the most prime tourist
destinations in India. Therefore, it is THE place to be around Christmas
and New Years because the festive mood and the friendly people there. It
transforms into a place of constant parties, night raves and unhindered
fun and gratification during the festive season of Christmas and New Year
in which the Christians and the Non-Christians participate alike.
Web Resources for Christmas Festival
Christmas Gifts: Celebrate Xmas festival and send Christmas Gifts to
India.
New Year Gifts : Wish Happy New Year in special way with this exclusive gifts collection.
Christmas in India
: Know here about the Christmas celebrations in India.
Christmas: Know about Christmas, origin, celebrations, traditions.
Christmas Celebrations: Read about Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Christmas Decoration and Ornaments.
Santa Claus:
Learn more about the history, different names of Santa Claus.
Christmas Songs and Poems: Find out here the most popular Christmas Songs and Poems.