【文章內容簡介】 EtymologyThe word Christmas originated as a pound meaning Christ39。s Mass. It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes m230。sse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.[6] Cristes is from Greek Christos and m230。sse is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid16th century.[13] Hence, Xmas is sometimes used as an abbreviation for Christmas.CelebrationFurther information: Christmas worldwideChristmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in most countries of the world, even in many whose populations are not majority Christian. In some nonChristian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (. Hong Kong)。 in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Major exceptions, where Christmas is not a formal public holiday, include People39。s Republic of China, (except Hong Kong and Macao), Japan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Thailand, Nepal, Iran, Turkey and North Korea.While most countries celebrate Christmas on December 25 each year, some eastern national churches, including those of Russia, Georgia, Egypt, Armenia, Ukraine, FYROM and Serbia celebrate on January 7. This is because of their use of the traditional Julian Calendar, under which December 25 falls on January 7 as measured by the standard Gregorian Calendar.Around the world, Christmas celebrations can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as giftgiving, decorations and Christmas trees.Commemoration of Jesus39。 birthMain articles: Annunciation, Nativity of Jesus, and Child JesusFor more detail on religious observances, see Christmas Eve.Adorazione del Bambino (Adoration of the Child) (143943), a mural by Florentine painter Fra Angelico.In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, the Christian belief that the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament39。s Messianic prophecies was born to the Virgin Mary. The story of Christmas is based on the biblical accounts given in the Gospel of Matthew, namely Matthew 1:18Matthew 2:12 and the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26Luke 2:40. According to these accounts, Jesus was born to Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph(圣經中的)約瑟, in the city of Bethlehem伯利恒(耶穌降生地)。. According to popular tradition, the birth took place in a stable馬棚。畜舍, surrounded by farm animals, though neither the stable nor the animals are specifically mentioned in the Biblical accounts. However, a manger馬槽 is mentioned in Luke 2:7, where it states, She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Early iconographic representations of the nativity placed the animals and manger within a cave (located, according to tradition, under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem). Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child.[14]Many Christians believe that the birth of Jesus fulfilled messianic彌賽亞的。救世主的。以救世主自居的。 prophecies from the Old Testament.[15] The Gospel of Matthew also describes a visit by several Magi, or astrologers, who bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant. The visitors were said to be following a mysterious star, monly known as the Star of Bethlehem, believing it to announce the birth of a king of the Jews.[16] The memoration of this visit, the Feast of Epiphany celebrated on January 6, is the formal end of the Christmas season in some churches.Christians celebrate Christmas in many ways. In addition to this day being one of the most important and popular for the attendance of church services, there are numerous other devotions and popular traditions. Prior to Christmas Day, the Eastern Orthodox Church practises the Nativity Fast in anticipation of the birth of Jesus, while much of Western Christianity celebrates Advent. The final preparations for Christmas are made on Christmas Eve.Over the Christmas period, people decorate their homes and exchange gifts. In some Christian denominations, children perform plays retelling the events of the Nativity, or sing carols that reference the event. Some Christians also display a small recreation of the Nativity, known as a Nativity scene or crib, in their homes, using figurines to portray the key characters of the event. Live Nativity scenes and tableaux vivants are also performed, using actors and animals to portray the event with more realism.[17]A long artistic tradition has grown of producing painted depictions of the nativity in art. Nativity scenes are traditionally set in a barn or stable and include Mary, Joseph, the child Jesus, angels, shepherds and the Three Wise Men: Balthazar, Melchior, and Caspar, who are said to have followed a star, known as the Star of Bethlehem, and arrived after his birth.[18]Varied traditionsAmong countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporate regional and local cultures. For many Christians, participating in a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance.In many Catholic countries, the people hold religious processions or parades are held in the days preceding Christmas. In other countries, secular processions or parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries. Others practise gift giving on December 6, Saint