Christ’s mass
The word “Christmas” comes from the Old English term “Cristes maesse,” which means “Christ’s Mass.” This term first appeared in 1038. The word is a combination of “Cristes,” from the Greek “Christos” meaning “anointed one,” and “maesse,” from the Latin “missa,” the celebration of the Eucharist. The holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the anointed one in Christian theology. The celebration of Christmas incorporates various customs and traditions, many of which have origins in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the exchange of gifts, the decoration of Christmas trees, and special meals. The holiday has also become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.