christmas

Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass") is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an Octave. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated culturally by a large number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season.
The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, lighting a Christingle, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, 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.
While the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted in the East, although some churches celebrate on the December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which, in the Gregorian calendar, currently corresponds to January 7, the day after the Western Christian Church celebrates the Epiphany. The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after the day on which early Christians believed that Jesus was conceived, or with one or more ancient polytheistic festivals that occurred near southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice); a further solar connection has been suggested because of a biblical verse identifying Jesus as the "Sun of righteousness".
  1. Drax1

    The Guns Of Christmas Past (TBC)

    Liev Schreiber is to headline festive themed The Guns Of Christmas Past. It's reputedly a mashup of A Christmas Carol and John Wick. Sounds like it's taking its cue from last year's Violent Night... https://www.joblo.com/the-guns-of-christmas-past-liev-schreiber/
  2. raigraphixs

    It’s a Wonderful Knife (TBC)

    Upcoming Christmas slasher from writer Michael Kennedy (Freaky) and director Tyler MacIntyre (Tragedy Girls) Jane Widdop (“Yellowjackets”) in the lead role of ‘Winnie Carruthers’, with Joel McHale (“Community”) set to play Winnie’s father ‘David’ and Justin Long (Barbarian) playing the town’s...
  3. Casimir Harlow

    Win a copy of Doc Martin - Last Christmas in Portwenn and Farewell Doc Martin on DVD

    ACORN MEDIA INTERNATIONAL DOC MARTIN LAST CHRISTMAS IN PORTWENN AND FAREWELL DOC MARTIN We are giving YOU the chance to win a copy of on DVD t’s time for our final appointment with Britain’s favourite curmudgeonly medic Doc Martin, played by the inimitable Martin Clunes as – after almost...
  4. Reese Withouterspoon

    Crappiest Christmas present you received last year?

    Inspired by @Marshall Mike's tale of the joint gift of one mug... what was the crappiest gift you received for Christmas just past? :D
  5. S

    What is the most expensive Christmas present you bought this year?

    A £50 Amazon gift card
  6. spannersatcx

    Christmas lights

    Ok not quite what you were expecting, this was my last flight on Xmas eve, worked 25th as well 😔. Taken on oppo 3 phone.
  7. I

    Christmas Day...

    ...Santa's been. Christmas by iWanders, on Flickr Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max Date / Time: 25/12/22 7:52am Lens: Ultra wide RAW mode Aperture: f2.2 Shutter: 1/33 Slight crop, levels adjusted, sharpened.
  8. raduv1

    Happy Christmas .

    Happy Christmas to all forum members . Does it really take someone like myself to make this thread ...? Happy fudging Christmas to all , have fun , eat loads , get pissed . Lazy post but the thought counts , get Happy you miserable buggers.
  9. Steve Stifler

    Santa Claus is coming to town! and he’s been spotted on his way now!

    Courtesy of the Santa watchers at Flightradar24
  10. Steve N

    You know it's Christmas when . . . .

    You start seeing food in the fridge that you're not allowed to eat. The bin men start to be friendly. Was also going to say Bublé, Ball, Carey etc start bringing out Christmas CDs. But that has come to mean we're out of September.
  11. MrMrH

    Tis the Season - Christmas Movies Recommendations

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, and am always on the lookout for good Christmas movies so I’m keen to hear of any lesser known ones that people might enjoy. I’ll start with a bank heist double feature: “Cash On Demand” (1961) with Peter Cushing and André Morell, followed up by...
  12. T

    Harmony Is Real is a great Christmas album from the Living Sisters

    Love this album with great new and old Christmas songs !! The Living Sisters are a great cover band !!
  13. Barbs77

    Show us your Christmas Tree 2022

    Is it too early to show our trees for 2022. If the thread exists please delete this one.
  14. elsmandino

    Hoverboard advice - Christmas present for 8-year-old

    Hi there. My son is after a hoverboard for Christmas, this year, but I have done a bit of research and seem none-the-wiser. This looks quite good: Razor Hovertrax Prizma | Smyths Toys UK Are there any other makes/models that I should perhaps be considering instead? Thanks in advance.
  15. icemanonline

    2022 perfect Christmas Tree.....

    This shot was taken with Poco M4 Pro phone while out at a show during the afternoon...... The perfect Christmas Tree with just right about of bourballs and shiny stuff ect.... In lovely lighting...... Shot in next. Ice
  16. elsmandino

    Which version of Minecraft as a Christmas present?

    Hi there. I would be grateful for some advice on buying a Christmas present for my son. One of his requested gifts, from Father Christmas, is Minecraft for his Xbox One. I have put "Minecraft" into Amazon and it comes up with loads of versions...
  17. SyStemDeMoN

    What is the best Iron and Ironing board to get the wife for Christmas ?

    I'm looking to treat the little lady extra special this Christmas and get her the Bugatti Veyron of Irons and a spiffing shiney new board as well. She is still in awe of the vacuum cleaner I got her last year. You should of seen the tears of joy when she opened the wrapping paper. Anyone else...
  18. TheDarkKnight01

    Bargain Expired Mary Poppins Returns Blu Ray (Includes Sing-Along Version for Christmas) - £2.47!

    This could be a fun stocking filler for Christmas. Includes the Sing-Along version for something to entertain* on Christmas Day, at only £2.47! *Dependant upon singing voice :D Mary Poppins Returns Blu Ray (& Sing-Along Version) - £2.47
  19. Casimir Harlow

    Win one of over 50 Blu-rays in the AVF Christmas giveaway - every supporter gets a prize

     To celebrate CHRISTMAS We are giving AVF Supporters the chance to win a Blu-ray of their choice from the list below Open Exclusively to Patron Supporters In our most ambitious giveaway ever, we are giving ALL AVF Supporters the opportunity to claim one prize of their choice from the list...
  20. Cutting twigs from trees or bushes on the 4th of December - so that they will blossom in the house at Christmas

    Cutting twigs from trees or bushes on the 4th of December - so that they will blossom in the house at Christmas Today is Saint Barbara's Day. So I have cut three twigs off my forsythia and will put them into a vase in the living room in the hope that they will be in bloom around Christmas...
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