Christmas vs. Yule — What's the Difference?

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night.

Yule (also called Jul, Julblot, jól, jólablót, joulu, "Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht ("Mothers' Night").

A Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus.

Christmas or the Christmas season, especially as traditionally celebrated in Northern Europe and North America with customs stemming in part from pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.

December 25, the day on which this feast is observed as a public holiday in many countries.

Alternative case form of Yule

Christmastide.

Christmas or Christmastide; the feast of the Nativity of our Savior.

An annual church festival (December 25) and in some States a legal holiday, in memory of the birth of Christ, often celebrated by a particular church service, and also by special gifts, greetings, and hospitality.

Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland

Spend Christmas;