| The Christmas season and all its activities are geared | | | | a meal together is a disappearing tradition in many |
| to the big day, Dec. 25, which is Christmas Day. The | | | | American households and so Christmas is seen as a |
| word Christmas is derived from Middle English | | | | perfect time to return to the tradition. Christmas Day |
| 'Christemasse' and Old English 'Cristes maesse,' both | | | | after all, is all about family, sharing and togetherness. |
| of which means 'Christ's Mass.' The day is celebrated | | | | Throughout the day, greetings of 'Merry Christmas' |
| by Christians as the day that Jesus Christ was born, | | | | will be exchanged by telephone calls with family, |
| although the true date of Jesus' birth isn't really | | | | friends, acquaintances, and loved ones who are |
| known. | | | | located elsewhere in the country and overseas. It is a |
| Given the religious significance of Christmas Day, it | | | | common occurrence for so many people to be trying |
| therefore follows that attending church is a big | | | | to make international calls to loved ones and friends |
| tradition on that day. It is seen as mandatory for | | | | on Christmas Day that telephone communication |
| devout Christians and for others who are concerned | | | | systems to some countries often are overwhelmed. |
| about retaining the sacred meaning of the day. Many | | | | The availability of technology and the Internet eases |
| people fear that the sacred aspects of Christmas are | | | | that somewhat nowadays however, as emails and |
| being lost and overshadowed amid the bustle of | | | | instant messaging can also be used as other |
| commercial activity now associated with the entire | | | | communication channels to exchange greetings on |
| season. | | | | Christmas Day. |
| Church services therefore take place early on | | | | Christmas Day Dinner is undoubtedly the central |
| Christmas morning. Attending those services is the | | | | activity of the day. Family and friends gathered for |
| first official activity that many people do on | | | | dinner take pleasure in enjoying and sharing a delicious |
| Christmas Day. Unlike the Midnight Mass and other | | | | meal and also are mindful and thankful for the |
| earlier church services on Christmas Eve, Christmas | | | | opportunity to be able to share the meal, to have |
| Day services do not usually include the dramatization | | | | each other and for the material things that make |
| of the birth of Jesus. They may be more subdued | | | | their lives comfortable and give them happiness. |
| with a sermon that recounts the birth of Jesus and | | | | Some of those material things are then shared in |
| his purpose to save mankind. The congregation is | | | | absolute delight as everyone will gather around or |
| then exalted to be as giving as Jesus and to help out | | | | near to the Christmas tree after dinner to exchange |
| those who are in need. | | | | and open Christmas presents. It's an activity that is |
| Consequently, many people will take some time on | | | | relished and which is filled with much laughter, happy |
| Christmas Day to volunteer in a charitable activity | | | | chatter and merriment, especially by children who are |
| such as serving dinner to the poor and hungry at a | | | | usually much delighted to get a toy that they had |
| church, charitable organization or other social services | | | | wished for. |
| center. Others will also work with charitable | | | | After dinner and the exchange of presents, adults |
| organizations to distribute toys to needy children at | | | | may have light conversations, play games or even |
| shelters, hospitals and other places. | | | | watch a movie. Children are often taken up with |
| As part of the religious aspect of Christmas Day, | | | | experimenting or playing with their new toys. It has |
| groups that sing Christmas carols will also be out very | | | | also become a tradition on Christmas Day for |
| early on Christmas morning. | | | | members of some families, such as teenagers and |
| Although Christmas Dinner is the most significant meal | | | | young adults, to end Christmas Day by attending the |
| of the day, a large breakfast will also be served in | | | | movie theater on Christmas evening or Christmas |
| most households that will be shared by all family | | | | night to see a recently released film. |
| members. The occasion of all family members having | | | | |