CHRISTMAS IS BOTH A SACRED RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY AND A WORLDWIDE CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL PHENOMENON. FOR TWO MILLENNIA, PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BEEN OBSERVING IT WITH TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE BOTH RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR IN NATURE. CHRISTIAN CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS DAY AS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS OF NAZARETH, A SPIRITUAL LEADER WHOSE TEACHINGS FROM THE BASIC OF THEIR RELIGION. POPULAR CUSTOM INCLUDE EXCHANGING OF GIFTS, DECORATING CHRISTMAS TREE, ATTENDING TO CHURCH, SHARING MEALS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND OF COURES, WAITING FOR SANTA CLAUS TO ARRIVE. DECEMBER - 25 CHRISTMAS DAY- HAS BEEN OF FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SINCE 1870.
