Christmas is derived from the Old English word "Cristes maesse", which means "Christ's mass". The word was first used in the 1030s and was later shortened to "Christmas" in the late 15th century. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and has been celebrated in various forms for over 1,700 years. The earliest recorded celebration of Christmas was in Rome in the year 336, and the holiday has since become a beloved tradition for billions of people around the world.