In Britain, most Christians celebrate Christmas in many of the same ways as every one else. They send Christmas cards, decorate trees, exchange gifts and have Christmas dinner.

However, they are careful that all these things don't make them forget what, for them, is the true meaning of Christmas - a celebration of the birth of Jesus. So many Christians like to send cards which show the religious meaning of Christmas. They might show an icon, or have a symbol on them, like a candle or a dove.

In the same way, some Christian families exchange only small gifts, preferring instead to give money to a charity. Some Christian single people give up their Christmas Day altogether to work with other people in need, like the homeless.

Christmas is a holy time for Christians. On Christmas Eve, many Christians attend church to sing carols and to say prayers. Many of these services begin at midnight and can be very beautiful. Most churches also hold services on Christmas morning. These are very joyful. During the Christmas service, children are given the chance to show their new toys to everyone. A collection of money is also taken and given to a charity. Giving money to charity is one of the ways in which Christians say thank you to God for all the good things they enjoy at Christmas.

At Christmas time, many Christians from all corners of the world, visit Israel. On Christmas Day, many of them make their way to Bethlehem. There, in a lamp-lit cave, a silver star marks a spot on the floor, where, it is believed, Jesus was born, two thousand years ago.