'Christmas' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'Cristesmæsse', where 'Cristes' meant 'Christ' and 'mæsse' meant 'mass (church service)'.

'Christmas' changed from the Old English phrase 'Cristesmæsse' to Middle English forms such as 'Christemasse' and eventually became the modern English word 'Christmas'.

Initially, it meant 'the Mass of Christ' (a church service), but over time it evolved into its current meaning referring to the festival and the holiday period.