Christmas is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays around the world.
But there are as many different traditions and ways to celebrate as there are countries that observe the occasion. Though traditions may vary, one thing is for sure: The spirit of Christmas is still alive and well around the world.
In the United States, most families know Christmas as both a commemoration of the birth of Christ and a night when Santa Claus comes to leave gifts in stockings and under the tree.
This sounds like two holidays in one, and in a way that is true.
The word Christmas comes from the Old English "Cristes Maesse" or the mass of Christ.
Although the exact date is unknown, Dec. 25 became widely accepted as the date of Jesus Christ's birth, because it comes nine months after the Incarnation on March 25, which early Christians believed was the date of Christ's conception and crucifixion.
The tradition of Christmas as a gift-giving holiday came about in the Middle Ages, and it was during the Protestant Reformation that many began criticizing Christians for losing "the true meaning of Christmas" amidst the gifts and revelry, a debate that is still going on today.
Many Christians around the world share some of the same Christmas traditions as Americans. Often, families attend a midnight mass or morning service, share gifts and enjoy a large meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, though not all countries celebrate on Dec. 25.
In Spain, Christmas festivities generally center around Jan. 6, when the three wise men are believed to have brought their gifts to Jesus. Their tradition was for children to leave food out for the wise men's camels. The food would be replaced with gifts in the morning.
In Bethlehem, where Christ is believed to have been born, the Church of the Nativity hosts an annual Christmas procession and Christians in the city adorn their homes with crosses and manger scenes.
The Philippines, the only heavily Christian Asian nation, boasts the longest Christmas celebration in the world. For nine days leading up to Christmas, Filipinos enjoy festivities including religious masses, parades, music, fireworks and feasts.
As for the other "man of the hour" on Christmas, tales about Santa Claus originated with Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, who lived in what is now Turkey and died around 340 A.D. Saint Nicholas was known for his kindness and generosity, especially toward children.
Saint Nicholas had many followers in Europe up until the Reformation. After that, he was kept alive mainly by the Dutch, who grew to know him as Sinterklaas. In Holland, children still leave wooden shoes by the fireplace at Christmas to be filled with treats by Sinterklaas.
Other Christmas gift-givers around the world include "La Befana" in Italy; "The Three Kings" in Spain, Puerto Rico and Mexico; "Christkindl" or the "Christ Child" in Switzerland and Austria; "Father Christmas" in England; and "Pere Noël" or the "Christ Child" in France.
TThe appearance of Santa Claus was up for debate until 1822, when the Clement C. Moore poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas," otherwise known as "The Night Before Christmas," cemented the image of Santa as a jolly old man with a long white beard, red suit and black boots.
