Christmas is the most important Christian holiday.

hat is Christmas? The word Christmas comes from the words Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." For Christians, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and it is generally thought that the first Christmas took place in Rome in 336 A.D. Christmas is both a holiday and a holy day. It is an important religious day for Christians and is one of six holy feast days celebrated in America. It is recognized as a major holiday by U.S. public institutions, including government and schools - even many businesses give people the day off for Christmastime. (Thanks for howstuffworks for much of this information.) For some this is what Christmas is all about Source: By Botticelli (http://www.flickr.com...) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Ads by Google Explore Acer Chromebook play.google.com/ Boots in seconds. Virus protection built-in. For $199. Corporate Events www.HardRock.com/NewYork Plan Your Next Event at Hard Rock Meetings, Launch Parties & More. Become a Social Worker msw.USC.edu/Virtual-Academic-Center With an Online Master's from USC. No Relocating Required. Learn More! Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Christmas Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. Not just my favorite holiday, mind you, but my favorite time of year, period. It's not necessarily because of the presents, although I do love buying presents and receiving them isn't bad either. And I'm not religious either. There's just something about the season, the time of year, and the atmosphere that makes Christmas my all-time favorite. 10 . The weather is one of a kind. I live in the Bay Area of California, so we don't exactly experience snow to the extent the East Coast does. However, winter still means mittens and scarves for us. Skirts and flip flops get old (though there are those who still stick to them when it's cold). 9. The movies and music are unforgettable. Christmas music has become such a significant part of my holiday experience. It starts when my mom and I wake up at 4 a.m. for Black Friday shopping (which we have done for years), and we drive over the river and through the woods to go to the stores - we listen to the same Christmas albums every year (including Kenny Rogers and Celine Dion), and it isn't Christmas to me without them. "Jingle All the Way" is one of those movies the whole family can watch without getting mad (except when my parents gripe about Arnold's job as Governor of California). Otherwise, we all enjoy those holiday films and episodes we scrape out from the bottom of the VHS box and view... old school "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Garfield and Charlie Brown Christmas specials, and, of course, "It's a Wonderful Life." 8. Things smell so good. Christmas trees, cinnamon and spices, cold ground after rain and snow, baking hams... yeah... 7. The food is delicious and so special. Besides fruitcakes, there are dozens of holiday treats that make my mouth water. Egg nog and Christmas cookies included... these are things I look forward to every year. 6. The decorations are fantastic. Face it: nothing can beat the loaded window displays, the ribbons and garlands around every lamp post, the glittering lights of various colors and doilies, and nativity scenes, and the trees...! 5. ...Presents. Need I say more? I'm a big fan of wrapping presents as well (not true for my dad though). I am known for buying my presents early and being able to find the best gifts. There's nothing like finding the perfect gift for someone and seeing their reaction when they rip open the wrapping paper. 4. It's not necessarily JUST for Christians and Catholics. I am not of any denomination, yet I absolutely adore Christmas. It has become so commercialized that agnostics like myself can still experience it. But the devout can still enjoy the holiday for everything it symbolizes and celebrates religiously. To me, the wonder and glory of Christmas as I know it is something I want to share with everyone. And who knows? Usually I go to church with my Christian mother and partake in the songs too. I may not be very pious, but I respect what Christmas means to those who are. 3. It's celebrated all over the world. While there are world issues that separate nations and peoples, Christmas is something that people around the world can share. 2. Family comes together. Christmas is about the only time of year I see people outside my immediate family. They come to the house and we get to regroup for the first time in 364 days. It's the closest I feel to my family and it makes me feel so grateful to have them in my life. 1. Everything is so happy. In spite of mad shoppers and grumpy retail workers, I revel in the air of Christmas. As cliche as it sounds, it really is magical to me. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.