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Christmas
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Christmas
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Christian religious holiday, the second most important Christian festival after Easter. Observed throughout the Western world on 25 December, it is traditionally marked by feasting and gift-giving. In the Christian church, it is the day on which the birth of Jesus is celebrated, although his actual birth date is unknown. Many of its customs have a non-Christian origin and were adapted from celebrations of the winter solstice (the turning point of winter).
The choice of a date near the winter solstice owed much to the desire to convert members of older religions, which traditionally held festivals at that time of year; the date was less important to Christians than who Jesus was and what he achieved. Many Orthodox Christians use an older calendar, and celebrate Christmas on 6 January.
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Dominican Republic Flag
The arms show a Bible open at the Gospel of St John, a Trinitarian symbol. The white cross symbolizes faith. The arms appear on national and state flags. Effective date: 14 September 1863.
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