The name Christmas is derived from 'Christ's Mass', the mass in honour of the birth of Christ. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December every year, at the time of the winter solstice. Many regard it as the most important of all Christian festivals. It is a public holiday in India.

There is the widely accepted Christian legend of the New Testament relating to the birth of Christ. In the story, god sent an angel named Gabriel to a girl named Mary. Gabriel told Mary that she would become pregnant, and give birth to the Son of God. The child would be named Jesus. He would grow up to become a king, and his kingdom would have no boundaries. As Mary was unmarried and a virgin she asked the angel how this was possible. In his reply he said that the Holy Spirit would come to her and the power of god would bless her.

Mary was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. The angel also visited Joseph and spoke to him in his dream. He told Joseph that Mary would soon be carrying a child and advised him to take good care of her and not to abandon her. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth in present-day Israel. At the time, it was part of the Roman Empire. The ruler of the kingdom, Emperor Augustus ordered a census, during the time that Mary was to deliver her child. Every citizen was required to travel to Bethlehem to get registered. All inns and public houses in Bethlehem were over-crowded due to the influx of people from surrounding areas. Joseph took Mary from place to place in search of shelter. The couple finally found refuge in a stable. Mary gave birth to Jesus at midnight and laid him in a manger. This event is of great importance to Christians, because they believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Christmas is a time for festivity. Prayers, merry making and sending cards are part of the Christmas rituals. The celebration begins with a midnight mass on the eve of the festival, as Jesus was born at midnight. This is followed by a morning service and a mass at midnight, in accordance with the decree of the Pope. To mark the event, churches and homes are illuminated with colourful lights and decorated with streamers of many hues. Some Indian Christians light oil lamps as well, perhaps because of the influence of the Hindu festival of Diwali. Many families make tableaux to depict the birth of Christ, using their imagination and creativity. Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus in a cradle of hay, sheep, shepherds and the angels are crafted to enact the event. A decorated fir tree, is also now synonymous with Christmas and often referred to as a Christmas tree.

Christmas celebrations in urban areas are very similar to those in the West. Streamers, lights, balloons and buntings are used to add a festive look to shopping centers. Special discounts, bargain offers and bonuses are offered to make shopping more attractive. Friends and relatives exchange presents. Santa Claus distributes gifts and sweets to children. Singing carols is also part of the ritual. It is customary for families to eat Christmas dinner together. Elaborate puddings, special cakes and wine are prepared. Roasted chicken takes the place of the stuffed turkey of the West, for the meal. In the coastal regions, people have fish.

In the tribal and rural areas of India, the menu is very different. Cakes made of rice flour and bananas form part of the ceremonial feast. As a gesture of goodwill, these confections are sent to homes which are in mourning. Women also make thekudas and namkeens. In some parts of southern India, payas is distributed among friends and relatives. Carol singing is also popular, but it is accompanied by rhythmic dancing. The dance forms vary from region to region. In the eastern states of Bihar, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, it is customary to intersperse the feast with tribal dances.

Among the orthodox, the festival is commemorated by prayers and purificatory rites. Some sections of the Roman Catholics forsake eating meat during the period known as the Advent, from the first to the 25th of December.