Today is: Christmas
Christmas Day is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, and it is also celebrated as a nonreligious cultural holiday. It is a public holiday in many countries, and is celebrated in some countries where there is not a large Christian population. It takes place after Advent and the Nativity Fast, and begins Christmastide, or the Twelve Days of Christmas. The name of the holiday is shortened from "Christ's mass," and throughout history the day has been known as "midwinter," "Nativity," "Yule," and "Noel."
The New Testament gospels of Luke and Matthew describe Jesus as being born in Bethlehem, in Judea. Luke's account tells of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem from Nazareth for a census, and Jesus being born in a stable and being laid in a manger. According to this account, angels proclaimed him as the savior, and shepherds came to visit him. Matthew's account tells the story of the magi following a star in the sky and bringing Jesus gifts.
Source: checkiday.com
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Today is: Christmas
