christmas is based on the story of jesus’ birth as described in the gospel according to matthew (see matthew1:18-2:12) and the gospel according to luke (see luke1:26-56). roman catholics first celebrated christmas, then known as the feast of the nativity, as early as336ad. the word christmas entered the english language sometime around1050 as the old english phrase christes maesse, meaning “festival of christ.” scholars believe the frequently used shortened form of christmas—xmas—may have come into use in the13th century. the x stands for the greek letter chi, an abbreviation of khristos (christ), and also represents the cross on which jesus was crucified.
christmas, annual christian holiday commemorating the birth of jesus christ. most members of the roman catholic church and followers of protestantism celebrate christmas on december25, and many celebrate on the evening of december24as well. members of the eastern orthodox church usually delay their most important seasonal ceremonies until january6, when they celebrate epiphany, a commemoration of the baptism of jesus. epiphany also traditionally commemorates the arrival of the three wise men of the east in bethlehem (near jerusalem, israel), where they adored the infant jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. the official christmas season, popularly known as either christmastide or the twelve days of christmas, extends from the anniversary of christ’s birth on december25to the feast of epiphany on january6.