Christmas is the day on which most of the world commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, is the saviour of mankind. He is the progeny of almighty, who sacrificed his life on cross as atonement for all sins of whole humanity. He extends a pledge of life after death for mankind with his resurrection. Christmas celebration of Christians is marked with special services. Various customs which take differing forms with the changing cultural and national traditions accompany these services. Christmas is also widely observed as a holiday in most of the countries. Included among the countries in which Christmas is not a formal holiday are China with exception of Hong Kong and Macao, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Thailand, Iran, Turkey and North Korea.
Celebrated generally on December twenty fifth, Christmas is a feast central to the Christian liturgical year. It closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide.
Although some historians place it between seven and two BC, the precise year of Jesus' birth is unknown. The Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December twenty fifth by the early to mid fourth century. The date was later adopted in East also. The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived. It is considered to have corresponded with the date of southern solstice, with a possible sun connection as Christians consider Jesus to be the "Sun of righteousness" prophesied in Book of Malachi.
The popular customs by which Christmas is celebrated in various countries is a mixture of pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins. Included among the popular modern customs of the holiday are gift giving, Christmas music and carolling, an exchange of Christmas cards, celebrations conducted in church and serving of specially made meal. Another prevalent custom is the exhibition of different Christmas embellishments. These decorations include trees, lights, nativity skits, festoons, wreaths, mistletoe and holly. Many closely related figures that can be often substituted to each other are connected with the custom of bringing gifts to children during Christmas season. They are often called Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Christ Kind. They too have their own corpse of traditions and lore. The holiday has turned out to be a significant event for retailers and businesses when their sales volumes get boosted due to the increased economic activity occurring among both Christians and non-Christians resulting from the practice of gift giving and several other aspects of Christmas festival.
The word "Christmas" has its origin as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse".
January sixth was the original date of celebration in Eastern Christianity.