how long has christmas been around

Christmas has been celebrated for centuries, but the exact origin of the holiday is uncertain. It likely began as a pagan festival in ancient Rome, called Saturnalia, which was a time of celebration and gift-giving. The early Christian church adopted the festival and adapted it to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The first recorded Christmas celebration in England was in 1087, and by the 14th century, the holiday had become an important part of the cultural and religious calendar in Europe. Today, Christmas is celebrated all over the world as a time of joy and togetherness.