Merry Christmas!

In the UK, Christmas is celebrated on 25 December every year.

Overview

Christmas is an annual Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just outside Jerusalem around 2,000 years ago. Across denominations, Christians believe Jesus to be the son of God and the second part of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This event, known as the “incarnation,” signifies God becoming human in the form of Jesus Christ.

Whilst all Christian denominations recognise Christmas, traditions, beliefs, and ways of celebrating can differ. For example, Orthodox Christians in Russia, eastern Europe and the Middle East often observe Christmas on 7 January, following the Julian calendar.

Whilst Christmas is a Christian holiday, it is also widely celebrated in the UK by people of different faiths or no religious faith. Over time, Christmas traditions such as gift-giving, decorating homes, and sharing festive meals have become part of broader cultural practices, making the holiday a significant time of year for many communities.

Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?

For Christians, Christmas is a time of gratitude for the incarnation of God into the world through Jesus Christ. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of embodying faith through love, generosity, and service, striving to create a better world.

How do people celebrate Christmas?

Christmas celebrations vary widely. Common traditions include:

Church services: Many Christians attend church services, including carol singing, readings from scripture, and reflections on the nativity story. Some denominations mark Christmas Day with a midnight communion service (also called midnight mass). Orthodox Christians may hold lengthy liturgies to celebrate the feast.

Gift-giving: Exchanging gifts is a popular custom, symbolising generosity and the gifts brought to Jesus by the 3 Wise Men.

Gatherings and meals: Families and friends often come together to share meals, fellowship, and joy.

Cultural traditions: Depending on cultural background and denomination, additional traditions might include fasting, feasting, or other symbolic practices.  Around the world, Christmas is a mixture of the spiritual and the traditional, with the Nativity story being mixed with local folklore. Some elements are constant feature like churches; feasting and the giving of presents, but some elements are unique to certain countries. In some parts of the world there is more focus on Christmas Eve. Some mark St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December as the time to exchange gifts. In Mexico, the celebration of Christmas begins on 16 December with Las Posadas. It lasts nine 9 days – to mark the journey of Mary and Joseph from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. In Spain, the Christmas season begins on 8 December with a week-long observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.