Indian Discussion Forum

is celebrated on 25th of december.It is both a holy day and a holiday in christian calander.Christmas is celebration of birth or nativity of Jesus.Jesus was born in Bethlehem,where mother Mary and father Joseph had come to register in Roman census.
Jesus Christ was born in a stable surrounded by farm animals and some shepherds.
Christmas is celebrated by exchanging gifts with in the family and friends.The whole year everybody waits for this day of celebration.It is not exactly known that when the christians started celebrating the day of nativity of Jesus Christ.However it is believed by most of the scholars that Christmas originated in the 4th century as a Christian substitute for the festival of Saturn celebrations[the God of agriculture].This festival lasted for seven days including the winter solstice [it is the shortest day and longest night of the year] that time it fell on 25th december.During this festival the Romans exchanged gifts and postponed all of their daily tasks.In this century only december 25 was adopted as a holiday for christians
and others to encourage their religious belief.
Countries where Christmas is celebrated on 25th of december recognise the previous day as Christmas Eve.In the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland Christmas Day and the following day are called First and Second Christmas day. The customs and traditions of celebrations of Christmas is not very similar in various countries.It is celebrated in different ways. In America gift giving and nativity scenes are a great feature of Christmas.
The scenes of birth of Jesus is performed in homes and places.In countries like Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and others the Christmas Eve is the main festival.People usually fast on this day and in dinner they prepare fried carp with potato salad and fish soup whereas in some places the dinner comprises of at least 12 variety of dishes.
However there are different traditions to celebrate this festival of joy ,but gift giving and decorating christmas tree is the main feature of the feast. Children wait for the Santa Claus,the man with long white beard,to bring presents for them.It is believed that on the Christmas Eve the Santa comes on a sleigh pulled by reindeers and enter in the homes of children through chimney and leaves gifts for them. Some people believe that Santa makes a list of children according to their behaviour with parents and friends and add their names to either 'the good' or 'the bad' list.So when Christmas is near all the children tries to behave well.In most of the world, Christmas gifts are given at night on Christmas Eve, or in the morning on Christmas Day.People enjoy decorating the Christmas tree with lights,ornaments and fake snow.
People of almost every relegion celebrate this day,visits church and all gather with family and friends to enjoy and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas is celebrated with great joy all over the world. People of every class and religion celebrate birthday of Jesus Christ with high spirits. Every country take part in these celebrations with their own traditions.
To know more about Christmas Celebrations in different countries, go to the following link:

http://www.indiabook.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=1660

Well xmas drawing nearer.