Squirrels on Christmas Eve

ChristmasCanadian Heritage ? Public holidays ? Government of Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2009. or Christmas Day2009 Federal Holidays ? U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Retrieved November 27, 2009.Bank holidays and British Summer time ? HM Government. Retrieved November 27, 2009. is an annual holiday, celebrated on December 25, that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.Christmas, Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 6, 2008."Christmas," MSN Encarta. Retrieved October 6, 2008. Archived 2009-10-31."Christmas", The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. The date of commemoration is not known to be Jesus's actual birthday, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived,How December 25 Became Christmas, Biblical Archaeology Review, Retrieved 2009-12-13 a historical Roman festival,"Christmas", EncartaRoll, Susan K., Toward the Origins of Christmas, (Peeters Publishers, 1995), p.130.Tighe, William J., "Calculating Christmas". Archived 2009-10-31. or the winter solstice.Newton, Isaac, Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John (1733). Ch. XI.A sun connection is possible because Christians consider Jesus to be the "sun of righteousness" prophesied in Malachi 4:2. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Although a Christian holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated by many non-Christians,Non-Christians focus on secular side of Christmas ? Sioux City Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2009. and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, and garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas, including North America, Australia and Ireland) is a popular mythological figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.Poll: In a changing nation, Santa endures. Associated Press, December 22, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2009.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.