The etymology of Christmas - or Christ's Mass - suggests that the holiday stems from the birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary in a manger in bethlehem. The tradition of giving gifts stems from the Three Wise Men, who followed the Star of Bethlehem in order to bear gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh to the newborn baby king. Although the actual birth date of Jesus is not known, we celebrate Christmas Day on December 25.

The idea of Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas - a bishop and saint who was known for his generosity to the poor. On December 6, Saint Nicholas is said to visit the homes of children and leave gifts for them in their shoes. The tradition of receiving gifts was combined with the Father Christmas figure in British tradition. Father Christmas was a bearded personification of the Christmas season originally conceptualized by the Puritans. Originally, Father Christmas was not associated with gift giving, rather this attribute was given to the character when he was merged with Santa Claus.

Many traditions surrounding Christmas have roots in the pagan celebration of Yule. In fact, the word Yule is still used interchangeably to describe Christmastime customs. Germanic and norse tribes celebrated Yule in midwinter by feasting and toasting the gods and deceased kin.

The Yule Log - a traditional log burning in the hearth during Yule-tide - comes from pagan tradition. Nordic countries also feature a Yule Goat in their celebrations.

The Yule Goat is represented by a goat made of straw, and in some countries, the Yule Goat brings gifts to children, much in the same way Santa Claus brings gifts on Christmas.

Wassailing or caroling also comes from Yule-tide tradition. Going door-to-door singing songs to neighbors and strangers is known as "Going Yule Goat" in some cultures.

Mistletoe is also a pagan tradition with its roots in the Yule celebration. Similar to modern Christmas customs, friends are supposed to kiss when meeting beneath the mistletoe.

Typically, Christmas is celebrated in modern times with religious observance - such as a Midnight Mass - followed by a Christmas Dinner featuring certain foods. Some cultures enjoy ham or turkey while others fast or eat only lenten (meatless) dishes. Families exchange and open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Most cultures also have a Christmas Tree, or Yule Tree. This is an evergreen tree decorated with lights, strings of popcorn and ornaments. Until recently, most families set out to select and cut down a tree together as a tradition. Now, many families opt for artificial trees, which come pre-lit and don't require watering. These trees can be collapsed and stowed in the attic or basement for the rest of the year.

Christmas is a time of ambiguous celebration, melding the secular spirit of giving, religious celebration and pagan traditions. Given its proximity to other holidays, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Years, the season has been treated as a more of a general celebration, with shoppers and friends bidding each other "Happy Holidays" in order to be inclusive. This simple greeting refers to all holidays during the winter months, including Christmas.