where does the word christmas originate from

The word "Christmas" originated from the Old English word "Cristes mæsse", which means "Christ's mass". It was first used in the 11th century to refer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The date of December 25th was chosen to coincide with the pagan festival of the winter solstice, which was celebrated by many cultures across Europe. The celebration of Christmas evolved over time, with different traditions and customs being added throughout the centuries.