Introduction

With the onset winter month of December there is a sound of carols, scent gingerbread cookies waft across the air and Xmas tree all reminding the upcoming of Christmas festival. Millions people through out the world geared up to celebrate festival of world biggest religion i.e. ‘Christianity’. Christmas is a festival celebrated around the world with immense festive fervor. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People dance and go merry on the rhythm of Christmas carol. Nature also blesses this festival with its icy cold wind and snow. Houses, streets, markets and shops are adorned with colourful lights and Christmas tree. Along with this it’s a festival of enticing delicious food, fun and pleasure that bind the whole aura of this festival.

December 25 considered as Christmas day and it is celebrated in the honor of Lord Jesus Christ birthday. Word ‘Christmas’ originated from compound meaning of ‘Christ Mass’ mean mass that follow teaching and beliefs of Lord Jesus Christ.

Story of Christmas

At the time of Lord Jesus Christ birth, the powerful and mighty king Augustus Caesar ruled the great Roman Empire. Israel was part of Rome and wicked king Herod governed it. Nazareth was a province of Israel and here lived Joseph and Marry to whom God had destined something beyond their imagination. Joseph was a carpenter and Marry was a young virgin who would become his wife. One day Marry told Joseph about his dream in which an angel visited her and she told her that God had chosen her to give the birth of God’s son and his name will be Jesus. One day the emperor Herod sent a notice that all people of his kingdom have to register themselves for new tax pattern. All citizens must return to their hometown as soon as possible. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem. They traveled days and night and reached their hometown Bethlehem.

When they arrive Bethlehem, couple became worry and upset because there was no room in any hotel to stay. Joseph requested the innkeeper to provide him shelter, as his wife is pregnant and about to give birth any time. The innkeeper took them to caves in the nearby hills where shepherds stay with their cows and sheep.

The entire place in caves was full and only place left was stable. Joseph cleaned the stable and prepared beds of fresh hay. The next night Marry gave a birth to a son and named him Jesus as it was said by angle.
A great star appeared over Bethlehem as soon the child born and shining of this star can be seen from miles. An angle appeared in the nearby fields were shepherds grazing their cattle. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.

‘Do not fear’ said the angel.

"For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Savior who is Christ the Lord." "And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."

After the angels vanished the shepherds set out for Bethlehem. When they reached the cave they found the stable and inside which was the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger.

As the brightest star shined over Bethlehem, in the east three kings saw it. They knew it was a sign of God and they set off to follow the star. The three kings were Caspar - the young King of Tarsus, Melchior - a long bearded old man and leader of Arabia, and Balthazar - the king from Ethiopia. They traveled on camels for many days over the mountains, and through the deserts, and plains. Always following the shining bright star.

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem they found the child. The three kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They stay in cave at that night and the next day returned to their lands to spread the news that ‘God is born to save us’.

Herod, the evil king of the area, when heard about the majestic child and considers him as a threat, and sent soldiers to kill Jesus. But God told Joseph in a dream to take Mary and the baby and escape to Egypt. They lived there till King Herod died and then went back to live in Nazareth to take away sufferings of people.

Celebration of Christmas

The ways of celebrating Christmas vary from place to place and from region to region. The traditions and customs of a place determine the celebration of this festival. There may be variation in celebrating Christmas but spirits behind this festival remain same. If any person visits other place from their native can witness the differences in celebration of this festival. Places of prominent celebration of this famous festival are as follow.

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