Why do they call it Christmas?

I'd figure I'd start with an easy question first.

December 25th is called Christmas for two reasons...

1 - The date remembers and celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. He said He was the Messiah (the long awaited, promised saviour from the Old Testament). The term Christ is not Jesus' surname, but refers to the term anointed (Christos in Greek).

2 - The later part of the title comes from celebration of communion that is held in many churches on Christmas Day, called Mass in the Catholic tradition.

Combine 1 & 2 to get CHRISTMAS!!!