Celebrated on December 25, Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two thousand years, people around the world have celebrated Christmas with religious and secular traditions and customs. Christians celebrate Christmas in honor of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of Christianity. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating the Christmas tree, going to church, having dinner with family and friends, and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.December 25 - Christmas Day - has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.
