Christmas (literally, Christ's mass)  the birth of jesus Christ, celebrated by Roman Catholic and Protestant churches on December 25. The observance is believed to date from 200 AD. In 354 AD, December 25 was declared as Christ's birthday and so affirmed by the Pope in 440. Christmas was observed to counter pagan Roman festivals.

Traditionally, children in the United States and England hang up stockings on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill with presents. Gifts are also placed under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas morning. Special food is prepared, such as roast turkey, suckling pig, goose, plum pudding, Christmas cake, etc. Wandering carol singers sing Christmas carols from house to house.

Christmas in Bangladesh starts with the singing of Christmas carols in churches from the first week of December. Christmas carols are also sung from house to house and money collected for feasting and merrymaking. Christmas festivities last up to the first week of January. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve or earlier. There are midnight services in churches on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning.

Local delicacies such as pitha, payesh, polao or biriani are prepared for invited relatives and friends. Hotels and restaurants serve western Christmas fare, and bakeries sell Christmas cakes. Members of the Christian community pay courtesy calls on the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. [Selmon H Dio]