According to History.com the first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated was on December 25, 336.  A few years later after this, Pope Julius was the first to officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th of  December every single year. Christmas was first known as the Feast of the Nativity.  On this day people go to church, exchange gifts, decorate Christmas trees, share meals with family and friends, and wait for Santa Clause to deliver presents.

Also according to History.com, A&E Television networks, before Christmas became a holiday, Saturnalia was something they celebrated in Rome. This holiday was celebrated in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. In the beginning of the week and continuing for a month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink was enough for the Roman society. For this month slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city and businesses and schools were closed so that everyone could enjoy and participate in the fun. Also around this time, the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun. The people believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some of the people in Rome, her birthday was the most sacred day of the whole year.

As years went by the meaning of Christmas began to change for everyone. Most see it as getting free gifts from a bunch of their family members and some take it as spending time with the family. Although on this day everyone does manage to gather together, most do not attend church nor do they remember it is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday.

People participate in putting up the Christmas tree, decorating their house, giving and receiving gifts, and lastly leaving cookies for Santa Claus. Christmas is a day to spend with the family, but it is also a day to remember Jesus was born and attend church. Many of these churches welcome anyone and the day sometimes even have their own celebrations. Research your local church and events will pop up on their website.