Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the Son of God.
When is Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated each year on 25 December (7 January for Orthodox Christians).
What is the story of Christmas?
Jesus was born to a woman called Mary who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
Mary was visited by an angel who told her that she would give birth to a baby called Jesus. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Joseph and Mary had travelled there to take part in a census which the Roman rulers had ordered.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem the local inn was full with people returning for the census. The innkeeper let them stay in the rock cave below his house which was used as a stable for animals. It was here that Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Jesus was visited by three wise men from the East who had followed a star to Bethlehem. The wise men presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. An angel also guided some poor shepherds to see the birth. For Christians this shows that Jesus came for all people of all backgrounds.
How is Christmas celebrated?
The story of Jesus's birth (also known as the nativity) is often retold by children taking part in nativity plays.
Christian church services at Christmas include carol singing. These are happy songs which tell the Christmas story. Some Christians start Christmas Day with a midnight communion service (also called a midnight mass).
Christmas dinners are also an important part of the celebrations. Families and friends will share food together, eating traditional foods, such as turkey, mince pies and Christmas puddings.
Christmas in pictures
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Christingle
Over the Christmas period, many Christian churches hold special services where children light candles stuck into oranges. These special candles are called Christingles.
Click on the picture below to see what the various parts of the Christingle mean to Christians.
Advent
Advent is the period which leads up to Christmas. It starts on the Sunday nearest to Saint Andrew's Day (30 November).
Many Advent customs involve counting the days until Christmas begins. Children will often be given advent calendars to mark the days that have passed.
Some churches have an advent wreath with four candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. Some wreaths will have another candle in the centre to mark Christmas Day itself.
Advent calendar. documentAdvent calendar
This December, count down the days until Christmas yourself by crossing the days off our downloadable advent calendar.
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Operation Ouch! Billy Bones and the Snot Zombies - Science game. gameOperation Ouch! Billy Bones and the Snot Zombies - Science game
Help Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx explore the hospital to find all of Billy’s missing bones. Collect power ups and rib-tickling facts. But watch out for the snot zombies!
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