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Christmas | HOLIDAY

 

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It refers both to the day celebrating the birth, as well as to the season which that day inaugurates, which concludes with the Feast of the Epiphany. The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth. Christmas festivities often combine the commemoration of Jesus' birth with various cultural customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals. Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Photos 

FILE -- In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, file photo Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill conducts an Orthodox Christmas service in Moscow's Christ The Savior Cathedral, in Moscow. Patriarch Kirill who is marking his first year on the throne of the Russian Orthodox Church became the first leader of the world's largest Orthodox church to take office after the fall of the Soviet Union.

FILE -- In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, file photo Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill conducts an Orthodox Christmas service in Moscow's Christ The Savior Cathedral, in Moscow. Patriarch Kirill who is marking his first year on the throne of the Russian Orthodox Church became the first leader of the world's largest Orthodox church to take office after the fall of the Soviet Union.

AP 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama walks towards the podium as he enters the State Dining Room for remarks on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama walks towards the podium as he enters the State Dining Room for remarks on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

Greek Orthodox priests are seen during the orthodox Christmas procession in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Tens of Palestinian Christians booed their religious leader in the biblical town of Bethlehem on the Greek Orthodox Christmas Day, claiming he sold church lands. About two dozen Palestinian policemen wearing helmets surrounded the protesters holding up signs reading "the Holy Land is not for sale."

Greek Orthodox priests are seen during the orthodox Christmas procession in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Tens of Palestinian Christians booed their religious leader in the biblical town of Bethlehem on the Greek Orthodox Christmas Day, claiming he sold church lands. About two dozen Palestinian policemen wearing helmets surrounded the protesters holding up signs reading "the Holy Land is not for sale."

AP 

A Christian pilgrim lights a candle inside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during the orthodox Christmas procession in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Tens of Palestinian Christians booed their religious leader in the biblical town of Bethlehem on the Greek Orthodox Christmas Day, claiming he sold church lands. About two dozen Palestinian policemen wearing helmets surrounded the protesters holding up signs reading "the Holy Land is not for sale."

A Christian pilgrim lights a candle inside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during the orthodox Christmas procession in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Tens of Palestinian Christians booed their religious leader in the biblical town of Bethlehem on the Greek Orthodox Christmas Day, claiming he sold church lands. About two dozen Palestinian policemen wearing helmets surrounded the protesters holding up signs reading "the Holy Land is not for sale."

AP 

A person shovels snow near a symbolic Christmas tree in downtown Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2006, with a World War II monument at right. New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia, and is followed by the Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

A person shovels snow near a symbolic Christmas tree in downtown Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2006, with a World War II monument at right. New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia, and is followed by the Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

AP 

A person shovels snow near a symbolic Christmas tree in downtown Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia, and is followed by the Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

A person shovels snow near a symbolic Christmas tree in downtown Moscow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia, and is followed by the Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

AP 

Greek Orthodox clergymen use brooms to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

Greek Orthodox clergymen use brooms to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

AP 

A Greek Orthodox clergyman pours water to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

A Greek Orthodox clergyman pours water to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

AP 

A Greek Orthodox clergyman pours water to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

A Greek Orthodox clergyman pours water to clean the church floor during the annual cleaning ceremony at the Church of the Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. A holiday cleaning is performed at the Church of the Nativity every year, ahead of the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christmas celebrations, both celebrated in January.

AP 

FILE -- In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, file photo Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill conducts an Orthodox Christmas service in Moscow's Christ The Savior Cathedral, in Moscow. Patriarch Kirill who is marking his first year on the throne of the Russian Orthodox Church became the first leader of the world's largest Orthodox church to take office after the fall of the Soviet Union.

FILE -- In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, file photo Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill conducts an Orthodox Christmas service in Moscow's Christ The Savior Cathedral, in Moscow. Patriarch Kirill who is marking his first year on the throne of the Russian Orthodox Church became the first leader of the world's largest Orthodox church to take office after the fall of the Soviet Union.

AP 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama walks towards the podium as he enters the State Dining Room for remarks on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama walks towards the podium as he enters the State Dining Room for remarks on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07:  U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks in the State Dining Room on the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day January 7, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. A Nigerian man has been charged for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airline flight while it was about to land in Detroit on Christmas day.

Getty Images 

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