Christmas

Christmas is a time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christians regard the birth of Jesus as an extremely important occasion as they believe him to be the Son of God. Jesus is also God incarnate (in human form), so Christmas marks the coming of God to Earth as a human being.

The Bible says that wise men and shepherds were drawn to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem by following a bright star. The wise men brought gifts for Jesus of frankincense, gold and myrrh. This is why people often exchange gifts at Christmas time.

A special Holy Communion service, sometimes called Midnight Mass, is held to mark Christmas at midnight on Christmas Eve. At this and other services at Christmas, there are readings from the Bible about the birth of Jesus, and joyful songs called carols are sung.