Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For millions of Christians around the world, it is the greatest, the happiest and the busiest time of the year. We don’t know the date of Christ's birth, but Christians celebrate this event on December 25 or January 7. The word Christmas comes from "Christes masse”, an early English phrase that means "Mass of Christ".
There are a lot of different traditions on how to celebrate Christmas. People in the United Kingdom decorate their homes with wreaths, ornaments and Christmas trees. City streets are filled with coloured lights; the sound of bells and tuneful Christmas carols can be heard everywhere.

Children usually write letters to Santa Claus and tell him what kind of gifts they would like to get. A lot of malls hire people to wear a Santa costume and listen to children's requests. Also, children believe that he arrives on Christmas Eve in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer and brings presents. Some kids hang up stockings for Santa to fill them with candies, fruit and other small gifts.

Adults like to celebrate this holiday as well. Many companies throw corporate parties and give presents to their employees.

My family attends church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. We listen to readings from Bible. In the evening we sit down to festive table, light the candles and enjoy the delicious supper. My favourite dishes are a fruit salad and a roast goose.

I like this feast very much because it inspires people with belief in the realness of miracles. I suppose we will celebrate this feast for centuries in future.