Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, who was believed to be the savior of mankind. For people through out the world, Christmas is one of the favorite times of the year. The magical events of Christmas fill each and everyone's heart with joy and freshness.

These magical events have been recreated in the many traditions followed during the Christmas season. Christmas trees, Holly and Mistletoe, Poinsettias, and Candy Canes are just some of the traditions that combine to form the spirit of Christmas.

No celebration, religious or secular, dominates western society as thoroughly as Christmas. For nearly two months of the year we find ourselves surrounded by the trappings of the season: Christmas cards, Christmas music, Christmas trees, Christmas lights -- even Christmas postage stamps! Nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus dot the landscape, and images of Santa Claus are inescapable.

A celebration so venerated and long-lasting -- rich with traditions of both religious and secular origins, aggregated from over half a dozen cultures and accumulated over the centuries -- could scarcely avoid creating a rich legacy of folklore and legends.

Here is but a sampling of some of the many tales we associate with Christmas and the holiday season.

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