クリスマス | 起源、定義、伝統、歴史、日付 ...

Christmas | Origin, Definition, Traditions, History, Date, Meaning, & Facts | Britannica Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos Christmas Introduction & Top Questions The Nativity: Biblical accounts and significance Development of Christmas as a holiday Origin of the word Christmas and other names Contemporary customs in Europe and North America Christmas trees and lights Advent wreaths and calendars Exchange of gifts Cards and carols Contemporary customs in other areas References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics Images, Videos & Interactives At a Glance Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About Christianity Christmas summary Quizzes How To Celebrate Christmas Quiz Christianity Quiz Everything You Need To Know About Christmas Quiz “Oh, Christmas Tree!” Quiz The Christmas Quiz Related Questions When is Christmas celebrated? How is Christmas celebrated? How did December 25 become Christmas? Does Christmas have pagan roots? How often is the international World Youth Day celebrated? print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: Table Of Contents CITE verified Cite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. External Websites English Heritage - History of Christmas Rutgers Today - The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions Learn Religion - Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25? Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Christmas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11) Christmas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Giotto: The Nativity The Nativity , fresco by Giotto, c. 1305–06, depicting the birth of Jesus; in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. (more) Christmas holiday Ask Anything Quick Summary Homework Help Also known as: Natale, Navidad, Noël Written by Hans J. Hillerbrand Professor Emeritus of History and Religion, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Author of The Division of Christendom: Christianity in the Sixteenth Century and Men and Ideas in the Sixteenth... Hans J. Hillerbrand Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 22, 2026 • History Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Quick Facts Feast date: December 25 (January 6 or 7 in many Eastern churches) Observed by: Christians as a religious holiday , non-Christians as a secular holiday Celebrates: The birth of Jesus Related holidays: Advent Epiphany Top Questions What is Christmas? Christmas was traditionally a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus , but in the early 20th century it also became a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike. The secular holiday is often devoid of Christian elements, with the mythical figure Santa Claus playing the pivotal role. When is Christmas celebrated? Christmas is celebrated by many Christians on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar . For Eastern Orthodox churches that continue to use the Julian calendar for liturgical observances, this date corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve in most European countries and on Christmas morning in North America. What does the word Christmas mean? The word Christmas means “Christ’s mass” or “mass on Christ’s day.” The term originated from the Middle English Christemasse , which came from the Old English Cristes mæsse . (In Roman Catholicism and certain other Christian groups, a mass is a celebration of the Eucharist .) How is Christmas celebrated? Christians and non-Christians participate in some of the most popular Christmas traditions, many of which have no origins in Christianity. These customs include decorating evergreen trees —or, in India, mango or bamboo trees; feasting (picnics and fireworks are popular in warm climates); and exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. How did December 25 become Christmas? Christmas is celebrated on December 25 by many Christians, particularly in the West. In the 3rd century the Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25 (the Annunciation ), which, after nine months in his mother’s womb, would result in a December 25 birth. It was not until 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine , that the church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening established pagan celebrations. Does Christmas have pagan roots? In ancient Rome, December 25 was a celebration of the Unconquered Sun, marking the return of longer days. It followed Saturnalia , a festival where people feasted and exchanged gifts. The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine , the first Christian emperor, possibly to weaken pagan traditions. Did Christmas start in Germany? Christmas did not start in Germany, but many of the holiday’s traditions began there, including decorating trees . The celebration of Christmas started in Rome about 336, but it did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century. News • DNA confirms remains found in car in a river are of Oregon family missing since 1958 • Apr. 17, 2026, 8:54 PM ET (NBC) ... (Show more) SantaCon promoter arrested for charity fraud, New York federal prosecutors say • Apr. 15, 2026, 12:25 PM ET (CNBC) Helen locals support small businesses during tourism off-season • Apr. 9, 2026, 6:23 PM ET (CBS) Show less Christmas , Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus . Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role. Christmastime, running from Advent (or earlier) through Epiphany , is a season rich with countless religious and secular traditions that bring together family, faith, and culture while emphasizing themes of hope, joy, generosity, and goodwill. The Nativity: Biblical accounts and significance James Tissot: The Adoration of the Shepherds The Adoration of the Shepherds , opaque watercolor on gray wove paper by James Tissot, 1886–94; in the Brooklyn Museum. (more) The only two scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth are found in the New Testament : one in the Gospel According to Matthew and the other in the Gospel According to Luke . (The Gospel According to Mark begins with Jesus as an adult, and the Gospel According to John starts with his prehistorical existence.) Luke’s Gospel shares details of the Annunciation ( 1:26–38 ), in which the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit , to be called Jesus, and Mary consents (“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”). Pregnant Mary then visits her relative Elizabeth , who is pregnant with John the Baptist , in the Visitation ( 1:39–45 ), which is followed by Mary’s moving hymn of praise, the Magnificat ( 1:46–55 ). The next chapter gives clues about the timing of Jesus’ birth (during a census “taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria” [ 2:2 ]) and notes that he was laid in a manger because there were no other accommodations in Bethlehem . It is here that the story of the angels visiting the shepherds in the fields, announcing the birth of the Messiah , is recorded, with the awestruck shepherds visiting the baby that night ( 2:8–20 ). The account of Jesus’ infancy is concluded with his circumcision and naming, followed by his presentation at the Temple of Jerusalem , where he encounters the aged Simeon and the prophet Anna ( 2:21–38 ). Magi The three Magi (wise men) presenting their gifts to the infant Jesus; ancient mosaic located in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy. (more) The Gospel According to Matthew begins with a genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, tracing his lineage from Abraham to King David to Joseph , Mary’s husband ( 1:1–17 ). The gospel then describes how Joseph, betrothed to Mary, was told by an angel in a dream that Mary’s pregnancy was conceived by the Holy Spirit in accordance with prophecy and that Jesus “will save his people from their sins” ( 1:18–25 ). Christ’s birth is noted with little other detail. The following chapter describes the famous visit of the Magi , guided by the Star of Bethlehem ( 2:1–12 ), and the Holy Family ’s escape to Egypt as Herod brutally massacres innocent children in search of the Christ child ( 2:13–18 ). Britannica Quiz Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About Christianity For Christians, Christmas marks the event in which God became human, born as a helpless baby in a stable for livestock. The Incarnation is a key moment in the story of salvation and is