Christmas is celebrated in Italy because of its strong Catholic heritage. Italy has been a predominantly Catholic country since the 4th century AD, and the Catholic Church has been a powerful force in shaping Italian culture and traditions. As a result, many of the traditions associated with Christmas in Italy have deep roots in the country's religious history. For example, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree was brought to Italy by Catholic missionaries who had learned the custom from Germanic cultures. Today, Christmas in Italy is a time for families to gather together and celebrate the birth of Jesus.