Christmas

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians honour as the Messiah and Son of God. The Gospel narratives place his birth in Bethlehem: Mary and Joseph travel there, Jesus is born in humble circumstances and laid in a manger, shepherds come after receiving an angelic announcement, and the Gospel of Matthew later tells of wise men guided by a star who bring gifts. The precise historical date of Jesus’ birth is not known; 25 December became the principal feast date in much of Christianity over the early centuries. Christmas is preceded in many churches by Advent, a season of expectation, and is marked by special worship, carols, nativity scenes, lights, family meals and giving. Beneath the familiar decorations, the religious theme is the Christian belief that God entered ordinary human life in humility, bringing a message of hope, peace, reconciliation and love.

Christmas is significant to the community that observes it and helps preserve religious, family and cultural continuity.

Midnight mass, a tree, lights and the giving of presents. India's largest keeping of it is in Goa, Kerala and the north-east, with star lanterns hung outside houses through Advent. Gujarat's churches hold carols and a midnight service, and the day is a public holiday everywhere in the country.

Orthodox churches using the Julian calendar keep it on 7 January - Russia, Serbia, Georgia, the Ethiopian and Coptic churches. In India it is a national holiday and largest in Kerala, Goa, Mumbai and the north-eastern states; Kerala's Syrian Christian tradition is older than most European ones.