what year was the first christmas

The first recorded celebration of Christmas dates back to the 4th century in the Roman Empire. However, it is believed that people have been celebrating the winter solstice and the return of the sun for thousands of years. The early Christians adopted the holiday and incorporated their own traditions, including gift-giving and the Nativity scene, into the celebration. Over time, Christmas became a more secular holiday with the exchanging of gifts and gathering of families playing a central role in the celebrations.