Christmas Day is almost here.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. It is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25, as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. 

“On Christmas Day, I like getting presents and visiting my family. We always have a big dinner like Thanksgiving but with more food. This is a very special day for me and my family,” sophomore N’Kya Jackson said.

Before Christmas, people celebrated the winter solstice as part of the holiday known as Yule. Yule runs from December 21 into January. It was a time of feasting, drinking, and sacrifice. On June 26, 1870, Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States. 

“I believe Christmas should always be celebrated because we are celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ who came as the Savior of the World,” substitute teacher Mrs.Desouza said. 

In many regions in France, Christmas celebrations start with St. Nicholas day on the 6th of December. On Christmas eve, children put their polished shoes out in front of the chimney and hope that ‘Pere Noel’ fills the shoes with sweets. On Christmas Day, the children and people exchange presents. In Norway, children wait for ‘Julenisse’, the Norwegian Santa Claus. In Iceland, children put their shoes on the windowsill so the ‘Juletide Lads’, the Santa Claus, fills the shoes with little goodies. The Portuguese celebrate Christmas on December 24. The houses are decorated for Christmas and many families put up a nativity scene (presidio), where Baby Jesus is added to the crib after the family attends Midnight mass. In the United States, many families decorate their homes with Christmas ornaments and lights in December. 

“ Me and my family celebrate Christmas by gathering together and we honor the gods and the birth of Jesus and eat 12 grapes and drink wine,” senior Remy Peralta said.