25 December Feast of the Nativity

Christmas is an annual festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus is celebrated. This religious holiday, celebrated every year on December 25, is also known as the "Feast of the Nativity" and "The Holy Nativity". Celebrated by the majority of Christians around the world, Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations. The day is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians. The feast begins on Christmas Eve on December 24 and continues until the end of December 25. Some Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate on January 6, as December 25 in the Julian calendar corresponds to the date of January 6. In some countries, the Christmas holiday is practically combined with the New Year's holiday.

In fact, the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown. The church in the early fourth century fixed the date as December 25. December 25 corresponds to the date of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar.

The celebratory customs have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday are gift-giving, completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, viewing a Nativity play, Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations such as Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.Preparations are made months in advance for Christmas celebrations and it is quite colorful all over the world. This period in which Christians await the birth of Jesus is called the "Advent period".

The Christmas tree, which has become an icon at Christmas, is known to be a ritual from Pagan traditions. Currently, Santa Claus, pictured as a person with gray hair, a long gray beard, cute, big belly, is a legendary person who is believed to have left gifts for children on Christmas night. He wears a red robe with white feathers.

According to legend, Santa Claus, who lives in the North Pole with his wife, makes toys for children along with his elves. Santa Claus fills his sleigh, which he flies with reindeer, with gifts that the children ask for by letter from him, and enters the houses through chimneys, distributing gifts to everyone. Children also leave food and drinks such as milk, cookies, carrots for themselves and their deer.

Christmas has greatly influenced world culture due to Christianity and Western culture dominates in the world and Christmas one of the most famous celebrations among winter celebrations.

Christmas, which has both religious, economic and social aspects made in many countries of the world, is also celebrated enthusiastically in Turkey. In general, these are celebrations that people especially do for fun, strengthen their bonds by getting together with family and friends, chat with food and gifts. Christmas events and concerts are held in entertainment venues, and festivals and Christmas Bazaars are established in many cities.Foreigners who have bought real estate in Turkey and live here participate in both these events and in rituals held in churches in different cities. In Turkey, a secular and tolerant country, they comfortably live both their religious beliefs and cultures.

Here is an image from the mass held at Saint Antuan Church in Taksim, Istanbul

Here is an image of a Christmas celebration at the Virgin Mary House in Izmir

Here is an image of a mass 

performed at the Orthodox Church in Antakya, Turkey

Here is an image of Christian citizens singing hymns accompanied by a choir at a Christmas celebration organized by the Bible Church in Antalya.