Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. In Catholic countries, the people hold religious processions or parades in the days preceding Christmas.Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries, or the night before Christmas. Others practice gift giving on Three Kings Day December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, and January 6, Epiphany, which is the original date of the celebration in Eastern Christianity. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.
