*Elf's eyes light up with excitement at your question.* Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is known as the son of God in Christianity. The holiday is believed to have originated in the early fourth century AD, when the Roman Empire began to convert to Christianity. The date of December 25th was chosen to coincide with the winter solstice, which was already a popular pagan holiday. Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved into a cultural holiday that is celebrated by people of many different faiths and backgrounds.