People in downtown Bend explain the meaning of Christmas Day, a time to spend time with family

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  On the weekend before Christmas, we turned our cameras to the community and asked, what does this reverent and saintly holiday mean to them. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th.

It's a religious and cultural celebration for billions of people around the world.

According to History.com, Christmas Day has been a federal holiday in the U.S. since 1870. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. 

 It's a holiday where gifts are exchanged, the Christmas tree is decorated and people attend church, waiting for Santa to arrive. 

I went to downtown Bend asking people about the meaning of Christmas. 

"Setting aside time to be with family, and, just kind of get excited about, you know, the magic of Christmas with your kids and a time to, like, you know, give back to the community and to your kids as well," Bend resident Tara Hulbert Burke said.

I asked cousins Max Segal and Luca Harris what they thought of Christmas. Segal replied: "I think it's to be, like, around your family and to have fun."

Harris said, "I think that to have fun and enjoy your family and and also opening presents."

According to National Geographic Kids, the name Christmas comes from the old English phrase - cristes maesse - meaning christ's mass. 

From all of us at NewsChannel 21, we want to wish you happy holidays.