Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
god and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
join the triumph of the skies
with angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born kingHail the heaven born prince of peace
hail the son of rightousness
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
born that no man more may die
born to raise the sons of earth
born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born king
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born king

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joyGod rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joyIn Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joyFear not then, said the Angel
Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's pow'r and might
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joyGod rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenlySleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly peaceSilent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peaceChrist, Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, Christ, the Savior
Christ, Christ, the Savior is born

Merry Christmas ladies
Merry Christmas Mr. Buble
Are you ready to sing a little Jingle bells?
YesJingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleighJingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleighDashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonightJingle bells, j-j-jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
O' what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleighJingle bells, j-j-jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
O' what a lot fun, what a lot fun to ride and sing in a one-horse open sleighDashing through the snow (we are dashing)
In a one-horse open sleigh (one-horse sleigh)
Over the fields we go (over the fields we go, we go)
They are laughing all the way (all the way)
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song till nightJingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
O' what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleighJingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
O' what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleighJingle bells, jingle bells
O' what fun it will in a one-horse open sleighJingle bells, jingle bells
O' what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
(Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!)

Christmas traditions for many nations include the installing and lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, setting out cookies and milk, and the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas carols may be sung and stories told about such figures as the Baby Jesus, St Nicholas, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Christkind or Grandfather Frost. The sending and exchange of Christmas card greetings, observance of fasting and special religious observances such as a midnight Mass or Vespers on Christmas Eve, the burning of a Yule log, and the giving and receiving of presents are also common practice. Along with Easter, Christmas is one of the most important periods on the Christian calendar, and is often closely connected to other holidays at this time of year, such as Advent, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St Nicholas Day, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's, and the Feast of the Epiphany.^[1]

Map of countries where Christmas is a formal public holiday either on December 24/25 or January 6/7. Color shading indicates "Days of rest".

Many national governments recognize Christmas as an official public holiday, while others recognize it in a symbolic way but not as an official legal observance. Countries in which Christmas is not a formal public holiday include Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macau), the Comoros, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, the Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, the Sahrawi Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen. Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is not a public holiday but is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations, and Christmas trees.

Christmas celebrations around the world can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporate regional and local cultures.

There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season that don't involve gift giving. Think: putting up Christmas tree decorations, baking Christmas cookies, and watching Christmas movies, for starters. While all of these festive activities are surefire ways to get you and your family into the holiday spirit, there are other Christmas traditions that can often be overlooked. With all of the hustle and bustle around the most wonderful time of the year, you may forget about fun winter activities like sledding, crafting, and making ornaments.

When Christmas is Celebrated

Although December 25th (or the late afternoon/evening of December 24th) is the date when most people celebrate Christmas, there are some other dates as well!

Some churches (mainly Orthodox churches) use a different calendar for their religious celebrations. Orthodox Churches in Russia, Serbia, Jerusalem, Ukraine and other countries use the old 'Julian' calendar and people in those churches celebrate Christmas on January 7th. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Ethiopiaalso celebrates Christmas on the 7th January (which is the 29th of Tahsas in their calendar).

Most people in the Greek Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas on December 25th. But some still use the Julian calendar and so celebrate Christmas on 7th January! Some Greek Catholics also celebrate on January 7th.

In Armenia, the Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. It also celebrates Epiphanyon this day.