 "When is Christmas?")
Christmas
When is Christmas?
Christmas, also known as the 'Feast day of Christ', is celebrated on December 25 every year. The day marks the birthday of Jesus Christ.
This festival is celebrated across the globe as a religious holiday, and as a time of celebration by Christians. It is also celebrated by non-Christians as a seasonal holiday. All schools, colleges, universities, offices and other government and non-governmental organisations remain closed on this day.
The season of preparations for Christmas is known as 'Advent', and starts on a Sunday about four weeks before the festival.
Why is Christmas celebrated?
Christmas Day is celebrated as the anniversary of the birth
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Latest Updates on Christmas
Putin orders cease-fire for orthodox Christmas; Kyiv won't take part
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his armed forces to observe a unilateral 36-hour cease-fire in Ukraine this weekend for the Orthodox Christmas holiday
 "Putin orders cease-fire for orthodox Christmas; Kyiv won't take part")
Third force: The tightrope walk that awaits Prachanda, Nepal's new PM
On Christmas day, Dahal became prime minister of Nepal for the third time - with Oli's assistance. The story of how he achieved this is a riveting one
 "Third force: The tightrope walk that awaits Prachanda, Nepal's new PM")
Philippine rain, flooding on Christmas cause at least 25 deaths, damage
The weather disturbance disrupted Christmas celebration in affected provinces
 "Philippine rain, flooding on Christmas cause at least 25 deaths, damage")
Holiday sales up 7.6% as US spending remained resilient amid inflation
Holiday sales rose this as American spending remained resilient during the critical shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent, according to one measure
 "Holiday sales up 7.6% as US spending remained resilient amid inflation")
Kerala sees 5% rise in alcohol sales during Christmas, says BevCo
Kerala saw an overall five per cent increase over last year's sales of alcohol during the Christmas season this year, according to a source in Kerala State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BEVCO)
 "Kerala sees 5% rise in alcohol sales during Christmas, says BevCo")
Covid or common cold? What to do if you have symptoms this Christmas
Along with Covid, northern hemisphere countries including the US and the UK are currently seeing or have recently seen large increases in influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and the common cold
 "Covid or common cold? What to do if you have symptoms this Christmas")
Pope Francis appeals to call off senseless Ukraine war, express solidarity
"May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons"
 "Pope Francis appeals to call off senseless Ukraine war, express solidarity")
Charles chooses multi-faith theme for first Christmas broadcast as UK King
King Charles III chose a multi-faith message for his first-ever Christmas Day broadcast as British monarch, referencing the work of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and gurdwaras across
 "Charles chooses multi-faith theme for first Christmas broadcast as UK King")
Himachal Police directs SPs, district police to manage tourists' rush
In view of festival season of Christmas and New Year, Himachal police authorities have issued necessary guidelines and directed SPs and other district police officials to make adequate arrangements
 "Himachal Police directs SPs, district police to manage tourists' rush")
Picnics, church visits, food make Christmas merry in West Bengal
Picnics, visits to churches by the faithful and long queues outside various monuments marked the Christmas celebrations in West Bengal on a fun-filled Sunday for the young and the old.
 "Picnics, church visits, food make Christmas merry in West Bengal")
Christmas Eve shooting at northwest England pub leaves 1 dead, 3 wounded
A Christmas Eve shooting at a pub in northwest England killed a young woman and wounded three men, police said on Sunday
 "Christmas Eve shooting at northwest England pub leaves 1 dead, 3 wounded")
PM Modi, Congress president Kharge extend Christmas greetings to nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Christmas
 "PM Modi, Congress president Kharge extend Christmas greetings to nation")
LIVE: Covid rising in many nations; be careful, wear masks, says PM Modi
Catch all the live updates from across the globe here
 "LIVE: Covid rising in many nations; be careful, wear masks, says PM Modi")
Noida cops tell mall, bar operators to step up security for X-mas, New Year
Noida Police held a meeting with operators of shopping malls and bars to review security arrangements ahead of Christmas and New Year and asked them to ramp up preparations during the festive season
 "Noida cops tell mall, bar operators to step up security for X-mas, New Year")
Thousands in US's Texas off power amid freezing temp due to Arctic blast
Thousands of people were without power as the Arctic blast rushed into the south-central US state of Texas, bringing freezing temperatures expected to last through Christmas
 "Thousands in US's Texas off power amid freezing temp due to Arctic blast")
Zimbabwe to have dark Christmas this year amid power cuts, high prices
To brighten festive season, mayor of Zimbabwe's capital Harare recently switched on Christmas lights. But for many, it was just a reminder that they can't get electricity and a happy holiday spirit
 "Zimbabwe to have dark Christmas this year amid power cuts, high prices")
Over 2,000 flights cancelled in US due to heavy snow, freezing temperatures
Ahead of Christmas holidays, more than 2,270 US flights were cancelled on Thursday (local time) due to heavy snow and freezing temperatures
 "Over 2,000 flights cancelled in US due to heavy snow, freezing temperatures")
After 2 years of Covid lull, Delhi restaurants decked for X'mas, New Year
Business closures, slashed menus, empty seats, furloughed staff -- restaurant and cafe owners in Delhi wish to put these unpleasant memories behind them as they prepare for Christmas and New Year
 "After 2 years of Covid lull, Delhi restaurants decked for X'mas, New Year")
What does economic research tell us about festival gifting and alcohol?
The Chinese managed to wrest a large part of the $200 bn Christmas gift market but failed to make a dent in the biggest gift segment, alcohol
Arctic air likely to blast much of Southern US just before Christmas
Forecasters are warning of treacherous holiday travel and life-threatening cold for much of the nation as an arctic air mass blows into the already-frigid southern United States
 "Arctic air likely to blast much of Southern US just before Christmas")
