Christmas

Christmas is an ancient Earth religious holiday in the Christian faiths that celebrates the birth of Christ, the son of God. It also has roots in ancient pagan Earth religions as a celebration of the winter solstice. It is celebrated on December 25. Related celebrations often occur on the day before (Christmas Eve) and the day after (known as "Boxing Day" or "Saint Stephen's Day").

Traditional Christmas celebrations often include the singing of "Christmas carols," decorating a Christmas tree, drinking egg nog, and the giving of Christmas gifts. Though by the 23rd century humanity had mostly "moved beyond archaic religions," many humans still celebrated Christmas, with varying degrees of secularism.

Starfleet crews often had shipboard Christmas parties. In 2266, one such Christmas party was held for personnel in the science labs of the Federation starship Enterprise. James T. Kirk made an appearance, and ended up spending a romantic evening with Helen Noel after they met, danced and he talked about the stars. (TOS: "Dagger of the Mind")

Christmas was a big affair on Titan, and the celebration there usually included a spectacular fireworks display, increasing in intensity over the traditional "twelve days of Christmas." In 2348, the fireworks were so loud on Christmas Eve that young Timothy Sinclair could hear them detonating above Enclave J-12 from his underground living area. Fearing an attack, he hid in the Enclave's access tunnels where he was found by Dr. Robert Blaisdell. Blaisdell explained the fireworks, and read "the Christmas story" from the Bible to Sinclair, telling him "It's the reason for tomorrow." Blaisdell gave the boy the Bible he read from, which Sinclair would treasure all his life as his first Christmas gift. (Star Trek: Pendragon: "Midnight Clear", "Father to the Man")

After his departure from the Enclave, Christmas became a very important holiday to Sinclair, although it would be several years until he experienced a traditional Christmas with Ben Dunkerton and his family, while attending Starfleet Academy in 2358. Sinclair would often spend the holidays with the Dunkertons. After his marriage to Jean Brennan, the Dunkertons would usually join the Sinclairs at their ranch in Colorado. Eventually Christmas at the ranch became a grand affair involving many of the Sinclairs' friends and adopted family. (Star Trek: Pendragon: "Midnight Clear")

Aboard the USS Scandalon in 2364, Captain Steve Tecklenberg held a western-themed "Christmas round-up" on the holodeck for his crew. It became an annual tradition. Captain Sinclair would later continue the practice aboard the USS Pendragon in the 2380s.

While trapped in the Nexus in 2371, Captain Jean-Luc Picard experienced a Christmas – complete with a Christmas tree, presents and dinner – with his illusory children and wife, before being shaken from his reverie and resuming his mission to stop Dr. Soran from destroying the Veridian system. (Star Trek: Generations)

Christmas was also celebrated aboard the USS Liberty during the 2370s. (Star Trek: Liberty: "Following Yonder Star", "Midnight Mass")