page_title: Christmas
section_title: Traditions of the Church
hierarchical_section_title: Christmas / Christmas Traditions / Traditions of the Church
caption_attribution_description: Friedrichshafen, Germany: Katholische Kirche Ailingen, Krippendarstellung des Ailinger Künstlers Lauer
context_page_description: Christmas is a Christian holiday that refers to the birth of Jesus, and a cultural holiday for non-Christians.
  The day known as Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th day of December. It is one of the most important days of the year for Christians, along with Easter when the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated. The season of preparing for Christmas is called Advent and begins on a Sunday about four weeks before Christmas. The Christmas Season ends 6 January or the Twelfth Day of Christmas, in which Epiphany is remembered.
  Christmas is celebrated all over the world, as a religious holiday or as a time of celebration by Christians and non-Christians alike. The traditions are different from country to country, but they nearly always include a feast, giving gifts or cards, and enjoying church or public festivities such as singing Christmas carols and songs. Santa Claus is a tradition in many countries of the world.
  Christmastide, as it is often called, is in the winter of the Northern Hemisphere, at a time when there were already ancient festivals.
context_section_description: The celebration of Christmas is a very important time for churches. Almost every church has special services or celebrations. Here are some of the ways that churches celebrate Christmas.
caption: A Nativity scene from Germany
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