A holiday is a day made special by a culture's customs or laws. Holidays help a culture remember and honor its history. Each culture has its own traditions for recognizing and celebrating these special days. People may attend parades, sing songs, go on picnics or give gifts to each other on certain holidays. Some holidays are peculiar to a culture. Other holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, are celebrated by many cultures around the world.
      The English word holiday actually came from two words, holy and day. This is because, years ago, the only holidays that were observed were religious days. The best known religious holiday is Christmas. In most parts of the world, Christmas is a time of happy festivities. People decorate Christmas trees with ornaments and lights and give each other gifts. Families gather for large dinners that consist of turkey, ham, dressing, yams, and other holiday fare. They also attend church and give thanks for the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born as the saviour of the world.
       Below is a short version of the story of Christmas. As you read the story, think about how Christmas is celebrated in your culture. Do people in your culture celebrate Christmas like people in North America? If not, in what way do you celebrate Christmas? What holiday is the most important in your culture? Why?

The Christmas Story

While Mary and Joseph were resting in a stable in Bethlehem, Mary's baby was born. Mary was happy, because an angel had told her that her baby was the son of God, and that He would grow up to help people love one another, and love God. Mary called the baby Jesus. The shepherds came to see the Christ Child and to worship Him. When they left, they spread the joyous news. All the angels came, too. They filled the air with singing as they praised God and said, "Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth and good will to man."

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