https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Christmas/82431 Dec 20, 2024 "Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. The corresponding terms in other languages—Navidad in Spanish, Natale in Italian, Noël in French—all probably denote nativity. The German word Weihnachten denotes “hallowed night.” Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike, devoid of Christian elements, and marked by an increasingly elaborate exchange of gifts. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role." Britannica School
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/vafo-christmas.htm Jan 11, 2024 "The Enemy’s main body, remain as yet, in status quo, I wish your Excellency a merry Christmas & all the Compliments of the Season.” ~ Major John Clark Jr. to General George Washington. December 25, 1777.... The Christmas as we know it today differed from historical customs. During the English Civil War between 1642 and 1651, the Puritans gained political power. Hailing from the Puritan tradition, New Englanders held more conservative religious beliefs than Anglicans. The former saw Christmas as an increasingly debauched holiday of drinking and merriment. Puritans also associated Christmas celebrations with Catholicism, which they abhorred. So, they passed legislation banning Christmas celebrations in England." Valley Forge National Historical Park Pennsylvania