Christmas, or Bôṛodin (the Great Day), is the principal religious festival of the Christian community. It is celebrated every year on 25 December by the followers of Christ to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The observance of Christmas began around 200 AD, and in 354 AD the day was formally declared as Jesus' birthday. Historically, Christmas emerged partly in response to pagan Roman festivals. Although Christmas originated from religious belief, today it has become a secular and universal celebration. On this occasion, people rejoice, exchange greeting cards, and share gifts with one another.

In Christianity, Christmas marks the celebration of Jesus' birth. According to Christian belief, several prophecies in the Holy Bible foretold the birth of the Messiah or Savior through the Virgin Mary. The accounts of Jesus' birth recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:18 and 2:12) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26 and 2:40) form the foundation of Christmas celebrations. According to these narratives, Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem while accompanying her husband Joseph. Popular belief holds that Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by animals. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:7) mentions a manger: "And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Early depictions of Jesus' birth show him in a cave or stable with animals and a manger - traditionally associated with the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. An angel announced Jesus' birth to shepherds in the nearby fields, making them the first to behold the divine child.

Many Christians believe that Jesus' birth fulfilled the biblical prophecies about the Savior. According to the Gospel of Matthew, several wise men visited the child bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, guided by a bright star. This star is traditionally believed to have proclaimed the birth of the King of the Jews. Christians celebrate Christmas in various ways, among which attending church services is considered one of the most important and popular practices, alongside other forms of worship and customs.

The English word "Christmas" derives from the combined meaning of "Christ's Mass." Its etymology traces back to Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" comes from the Greek Christos, and "mæsse" from the Latin missa (holy service). In ancient Greek, the letter Χ (Chi) is the first letter of Christos and corresponds to the Latin X. From the mid-sixteenth century, X began to be used as an abbreviation for Christ, leading to the shortened form "Xmas."

Although Christmas is essentially a Christian religious observance, many non-Christian communities also celebrate it with great enthusiasm. In some cases, pre-Christian and secular elements are blended into the festivities. Gift-giving, music, exchanging Christmas cards, church worship, feasts, Christmas trees, lights, and nativity scenes are integral parts of modern celebrations. In some countries, the legend of Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in North America, Australia, and Ireland) bringing gifts to children is especially popular.

The many traditions associated with Christmas - especially gift-giving - play a significant role in the economies of both Christian and non-Christian societies. The festival creates a special season of trade and commerce, and over the centuries its economic impact has expanded worldwide. In India and Bangladesh, Christmas is observed as a public holiday.

Christmas celebrations begin in the first week of December with Christmas carols sung in churches. Children also go from house to house singing carols, and the money collected is used for feasts and merriment. Festivities often continue until the first week of January. Gift exchanges begin on Christmas Eve or earlier, and special midnight services are held in churches from Christmas Eve into Christmas morning. Special meals are prepared for invited relatives and friends, including pitha, payesh, special cakes, pork, chicken, duck, and polao or biriyani in Bangladesh.

The exchange of Christmas cards became popular in the mid-nineteenth century. The Christmas tree - usually a cone-shaped pine or fir - is decorated with small electric lights and gifts, sometimes topped with an angel or a star. As part of Catholic celebrations, nativity scenes are created using various materials, depicting baby Jesus in a manger with Mary, Joseph, and the three wise men.

In the United States and England, children traditionally hang stockings on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill them with gifts. The bearer of these gifts is known by various names, such as Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas. Gifts are also placed under the Christmas tree for children to enjoy.

The modern image of Santa Claus was shaped by American cartoonist Thomas Nast, who in 1881 depicted Santa in red attire in a publication. The image showed Santa riding a reindeer-drawn sleigh, carrying a sack of gifts from house to house. From then on, Santa's red-and-white costume became iconic, and these colors gained prominence in Christmas celebrations.

In most countries around the world, Christmas is observed as a major festival and public holiday - even in nations where Christians are a minority. In some non-Christian countries, Christmas was introduced during colonial rule; in others, it spread through minority Christian communities or foreign cultural influence. In Japan, for example, Christmas is celebrated as a popular cultural festival. Across the world, celebrations vary according to cultural and national traditions, often embracing the secular elements of gift-giving, decoration, and Christmas trees.

Christmas is a national holiday in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Christians exchange gifts and visit one another; children receive money or toys from elders. People greet each other by saying "Shubho Bôṛodin" (Happy Christmas). In rural areas, banana trees and leaves are used for decoration, while in cities Christmas trees, banners, and balloons are common. Hotels organize special events, churches are adorned with lights and Christmas trees, and church choirs perform Bangla Christmas songs.

Christianity arrived in Bangladesh in the sixteenth century through Portuguese traders and missionaries. Christians make up about 0.30 percent of Bangladesh's population. The day is widely known as Bôṛodin (the Great Day) among Bengalis. Explaining this, Professor Dr. Bishwajit Ghosh of the Department of Bengali at the University of Dhaka notes that, in terms of significance, it is indeed a "great day." Jesus offered a religion and philosophy that shaped the lives of a vast global population; therefore, 25 December, the day of his birth, is regarded as Bôṛodin across Bangladesh and other Bengali-speaking regions.

Above all, Christmas is a sacred festival that carries the message of joy, forgiveness, and selfless love. On this day, as people remember the birth of Jesus Christ, they cultivate compassion, empathy, and forgiveness toward one another. It teaches us to renounce hatred, malice, and pride, and to walk the path of love and peace. Standing beside the poor and the helpless, forgiving past hurts, and lighting the flame of humanity in our hearts are the true lessons of Christmas. On this blessed day, let us unite in bonds of forgiveness and love to build a more beautiful world for all.

Nicholas Biswas is a Development Practitioner and the Awardee of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Media Award who can be reached at nicubiswas@gmail.com