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Christmas Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday held on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. The date is not known to be the actual birth date of Jesus, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, the date of the winter solstice on the ancient Roman calendar, or one of various ancient winter festivals. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and many of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins, notably from the Germanic pagan winter solstice holiday Yule. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas, so named in parts of England and in France (Pere Noel), known as Santa Claus in many other areas, including Scotland, North America, Australia and Ireland), is a popular folklore figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children. 圣诞节（Christmas） 圣诞节是基督教徒纪念耶酥基督（Jesus Christ）诞生 的日子,公认 的日期是 12 月 25 日。圣诞节本是一个宗教性的节 日，后来逐渐演变 成一个具有民族风格的全民性的节 日，在美国、英国、加拿大、德国、 意大利、澳大利亚等西方国家，甚至非洲，东南亚一些国家都很盛行。 圣诞节指圣诞日（Christmas Day）或 圣诞节节期（Christmas tide）， 即 12 月 24 日至第二年 1 月 6 日这段时间。另外人们把 12 月 24