The birth, life and death of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago changed the world – this is true whether you believe his story or not.

Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the Christmas season Wednesday, telling believers that receiving the infant Jesus in current times also implies respecting and welcoming every human life, including migrants.

Here’s the origin of Christmas as we know it, when it’s estimated Jesus might have been born and when Christians started celebrating his birth.

Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church in Washington state says Christmas points us to Jesus — the greatest gift — and the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love. As we celebrate, we remember nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Pope Leo XIV Sunday blessed statues of the infant Jesus that will be placed in nativity scenes on Christmas day, pointing to Saint Joseph as an example of charity and mercy for his care of Mary and the child God entrusted to him.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Millions of families gathered for Christmas Eve services across the nation, including at Topeka Bible Church, which held services throughout the day Dec. 24. Kim Fertig has spent her Christmas Eves at Topeka Bible Church since 1999.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg and social justice nonprofit Slow Factory also declared in a collaborative social media post on Wednesday that "Jesus was a Palestinian born under occupation."

Since the early 20th century, Christmas has evolved from a religious holiday to a hugely popular cultural holiday observed by Christian and secular people across the globe.