Rasmussen Reports surveys conducted this season have found that between 87% and 90% of American adults will celebrate Christmas in some form or another.

The latest survey found that 77% of those who celebrate Christmas treat it as a religious holiday (see crosstabs). Seventeen percent (17%) celebrate Christmas as a secular holiday while 6% are not sure. African-Americans are more likely to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday while upper income Americans are least likely to do so.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of those who celebrate Christmas say they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to earth to die for our sins. Seventy-nine percent (79%) believe he was born to a virgin. Ten percent (10%) do not believe in the virgin birth while 11% are not sure.

Among all Americans, including those who do not celebrate Christmas, 83% believe that the man known to history as Jesus Christ actually walked on the earth more than 2,000 years ago. Just 3% believe he did not exist while 13% are not sure.

Another recent survey found that 71% of Americans rate Christmas as one of our nation’s most important holidays. That tops every other holiday, including the Fourth of July.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of all Americans would like to see a greater emphasis on the birth of Christ during the holiday season and 59% say they will attend a Christian Church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Most will have an artificial Christmas tree in their home, open their presents on Christmas morning, and enjoy a large dinner with family and friends. Sixty percent (60%) will stay close to home during the holiday season and, by a 3-to-1 margin, most want to hear “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” while shopping.

Only 14% will go Christmas caroling.

Forty percent (40%) of Americans started their holiday shopping before Thanksgiving while 28% had not begun to shop in mid-December.

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