10 FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS!
As the year draws to a close, millions of people around the world anticipate glistening decorations, vibrant lights, delectable food, festive music, and thrilling gifts. Yes, because the holidays are approaching! But how much do you really know about this incredibly enjoyable holiday? It's time to discover out in our ten Christmas facts...
Facts about Christmas
1) Christmas is a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be God's son. For the most part, it occurs every year on December 25th, the day was chosen by the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate Jesus' birthday. However, no one knows for sure when Jesus was born!
2) Did you know that Christmas isn't celebrated on the same day by all Christians? Christmas Day is observed on January 7 in nations with considerable populations of Orthodox Christians*, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Romania. On the 7th of January, some Greek Orthodox Christians also celebrate Christmas.
3) The word "Christmas" is derived from the Old English phrase Cristes maesse, which means "Christ's mass." But how about 'Christmas'? Many people believe that this is a recent abbreviation, yet it actually dates from the 16th century! The letter 'X' is thought to stand for the Greek letter 'Chi,' which is the initial letter in the Greek name for Christ, X (pronounced 'Christos').
4) When it comes to Christmas, people all over the world have a merry time! Many of our modern Christmas customs, such as Christmas greetings, gift-giving, and crackers, as well as traditional dishes like mince pies and roast turkey, originated in the Victorian era. In reality, Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, were enormous Christmas aficionados!
5) In Victorian Britain, Christmas trees were popular. However, they were first observed in 16th century Germany, when people decorated fir trees with fruit and nuts — and later sweets, paper shapes, and candles – during the Christmas season. Surprisingly, historians believe that the origins of this holiday ritual can be traced back to the Romans and Ancient Egyptians, who employed evergreen trees and garlands as emblems of eternal life. Wow!
6) Take a look at this: every year, Norway sends a lovely home-grown Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square in London, where it is decked with lights. The magnificent tree, which stands at a towering 20 meters tall, is a gift from Norway to thank the United Kingdom for its assistance during World War II. What a fantastic present!
7) No discussion of Christmas would be complete without mentioning the huge bearded, rosy-cheeked cheerful man... Greetings, Father Christmas! Have you ever pondered how he came to be known as Santa Claus? It comes from Sinterklaas, which means "Saint Nicholas" in Dutch, the Dutch language. St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who lived in the fourth century, and he became the patron saint of children after being noted for his kindness and generosity.
8) However, Santa isn't the only Christmas character; there are a plethora of others all around the world! In Italy, for example, a good witch known as La Befana is claimed to deliver toys to youngsters on a broomstick! In Iceland, youngsters place shoes under the window for the Yule Lads, a group of 13 mischievous trolls. If the youngster has been nice, chocolates will be left in their shoe; if the child has been evil, the Yule lads will leave a rotten potato!
9) We all enjoy singing Jingle Bells, but have you ever observed that the song does not contain the term "Christmas"? Or what about Jesus or Santa Claus? That's because it wasn't written as a Christmas song in the first place! In reality, the merry anthem, titled One Horse Open Sleigh, was penned in 1850 for the American festival of Thanksgiving!
10) Now consider what it would be like if Christmas didn't exist. Isn't it a little strange? Maybe it's depressing? Believe it or not, Christmas celebrations in England were made illegal in 1644, and soon after in the English colonies in America! Members of the administration at the time believed that the Christian significance of Christmas had been neglected, and hence prohibited the holiday celebrations. However, some people continued to celebrate Christmas in secret until it was made legal again... about 20 years later!
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