The name "Christmas" comes from the Old English word "Cristes mæsse", which means "Christ's Mass". It's a religious holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday has a long history, dating back to the 4th century AD, when the Christian Church began celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25th. Over the centuries, the holiday has evolved into a worldwide cultural and religious event, with people around the world celebrating in many different ways.