Christmas is one of the most important Christian holidays. It is associated with the birth in the flesh of Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary. Christmas is celebrated both on December 25 and January 7. The reason is in different calendars.

According to the Christian creed, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was here that the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph came. The birth of Jesus is described by two evangelists - the apostles Matthew and Luke.

The first Christians did not celebrate Christmas. Much more important for them was the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, which is now known as Easter. Believers began to celebrate Christmas after the Greeks and other Hellenistic peoples entered the Christian communities.

January 6 was often chosen as the date of Christmas (the sixth day of the year, since Jesus is the new Adam, and Adam, according to the Old Testament, was created on the sixth day of creation). The holiday ideologically combined both Christmas and Epiphany (Epiphany), which later became different holidays.

The date of December 25 was first indicated by Sextus Julius Africanus in the chronicle of 221. According to Archbishop Sergius (Spassky), the Roman Church has since ancient times celebrated Christmas on December 25, and since the IV century, following its example, on this day the holiday was celebrated in the East.

The different dates of Christmas (December 25 and January 7) are explained only by different systems of chronology (Gregorian and Julian calendars).

The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The reason was the gradual shift in relation to the Julian calendar of the day of the vernal equinox, according to which the date of Easter was determined.

Therefore, in 1582, a new Gregorian calendar appeared in Europe, while in Russia the Julian calendar continued to be used. The Gregorian calendar was introduced in the country only in 1918, but the Russian Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar.

Christmas on the night of December 24-25 is celebrated not only by Catholics. Together with them, the holiday is celebrated by Protestants living according to the Gregorian calendar, as well as 11 of the 15 Local Orthodox Churches of the world that adhere to the New Julian calendar, which coincides with the Gregorian calendar.

Christmas, which is commonly called "Orthodox", is celebrated on the night of January 6-7 by four Orthodox Churches — Russian, Georgian, Jerusalem and Serbian. And the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6.

Different dates in different churches do not change the meaning of the holiday itself.

The celebration of Christmas in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar is preceded by the Advent period. It begins four Sundays before Christmas and is considered a time of spiritual purification and intensified repentance. The day of December 24 is called Christmas Eve, or Vigil. In many countries, believers observe strict fasting on this day. Christmas Eve is considered a day of intensive preparation for the Christmas holiday.

Festive masses are held in churches and communities on the evening of December 24 and during December 25.

The celebration of Christmas lasts for eight days — from December 25 to January 1, forming the Octave of Christmas. Christmas time continues after the end of the Octave until the feast of Epiphany, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Epiphany (January 6). All Christmas time, the clergy at the liturgy are dressed in white, festive-colored robes.

In the West and in Europe, Christmas is primarily associated with Santa Claus— a folklore character resembling Santa Claus. Santa is dressed in a red suit with white trim. He moves around on a sleigh drawn by flying deer, and gives gifts to children for Christmas.

On the morning of December 25, children open their gifts. It is also customary to go to church on this day. Nativity scenes with mangers and figurines of the Infant Christ and the Mother of God are installed inside and outside the churches. Catholics install fir trees in their homes before Christmas.

Lighted candles are also one of the main symbols of Western European Christmas. In addition, people decorate their homes with garlands, Christmas wreaths, hang stockings or large socks over the fireplace, in which they put gifts.