About Christmas
Christmas, celebrated on 25 December, marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important Christian festivals and is enjoyed widely across India as a season of joy, sharing and goodwill.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, whose birth in Bethlehem is described in the Gospels. For Christians, it is a festival of hope, love and God’s presence in the world. The weeks before it are known as Advent, a time of preparation and prayer.
Over centuries, Christmas has also become a wider season of giving, family gatherings and goodwill, shared by people of many faiths.
How it is marked
Christians attend church services, including midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and sing carols. Homes and churches display nativity cribs and decorated Christmas trees, and families share a festive meal and exchange gifts.
In India, Christmas is celebrated with special warmth in Goa, Kerala, the Northeast and cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata. Paper star lanterns hang outside homes, carol singers visit neighbourhoods, and families bake plum cake and prepare sweets to share. In many Hindi-speaking areas, the day is also called Bada Din.
What to write
Wish the person peace and joy, and add a personal line about the year or the time you will spend together.
- Wishing you and your family a Christmas full of peace, laughter and good food. Merry Christmas.
- Save me a slice of your plum cake this year. Last Christmas's is still talked about in our house.
- Missing our Christmas cake and carols together. Sending love across the miles, and wishing you a very merry Christmas.
How to wish someone on Christmas
joy, peace and goodwill, and the warmth of family, friends and shared meals
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Christmas celebrated on 25 December?
The Bible does not give a date for the birth of Jesus. The church in Rome was celebrating it on 25 December by the fourth century, and the date has been followed by most Christians since.
Is it correct to say ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Christmas’?
Both are correct and mean the same thing. ‘Merry Christmas’ is more common in India and the United States, while ‘Happy Christmas’ is often heard in Britain.
Why do some Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January?
Some Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar, in which 25 December falls on 7 January in the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world.
When is Christmas in 2026?
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, 25 December 2026.
What is Christmas?
Christmas, celebrated on 25 December, marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most important Christian festivals and is enjoyed widely across India as a season of joy, sharing and goodwill.
Who celebrates Christmas?
Christmas is observed in the Christianity tradition.
Is Christmas a public holiday?
Holiday status for Christmas varies by state, employer and community in India, so check your local holiday list.
How do I wish someone on Christmas?
Focus on joy, peace and goodwill, and the warmth of family, friends and shared meals. On Kehdoo you can write a short message, pick a design and share a free animated Christmas card as a single link, with no app or sign-up needed.
Sources
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .