Christmas
Facts
Christmas Day is celebrated by millions of Christians around
the world, usually on December 25th. It is also a popular holiday celebrated by
non-Christians. Christmas Day is an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus
Christ. Although the exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown it is estimated to
have been between 7 and 2 B.C. The date of December 25th was chosen in the 4th
century. The popular customs of celebrating Christmas include gift-giving,
sending holiday cards, Christmas trees and lights, caroling, a feast and church
celebrations.
Interesting Christmas Facts:
The word Christmas originates from the words Christ's Mass. In
old English (first recorded in 1038) it was referred to as Cristesmæsse, which
literally means 'Christian Mass'.
A common figure known throughout the world and associated with
Christmas is Santa Claus. Other popular Christmas figures include Christ kind,
Saint Nicholas, and Father Christmas.
Anglo-Saxons referred to the holiday as 'midwinter' or
'nativity'.
The word Noel entered the English language in the late 1300s.
It originated from the Latin word 'natalis' which means 'day of birth'.
Christmas decorations that are popular today include Christmas
trees, Christmas lights, wreaths, garland, holly, mistletoe, and nativity
scenes.
Christmas lights were invented in 1882 by Edward Johnson.
The first evidence of a Christmas tree is from a pamphlet that
dates back to 1570.
In order for Santa to visit all the homes on Christmas Eve he
would have to visit 822 homes each second.
The tradition of hanging stockings comes from a Dutch custom.
They would leave shoes full of food for St. Nicolas' donkeys and St. Nicholas
would then leave small gifts in return.
12th century nuns left socks full of nuts, fruit and
tangerines at the doors of the poor. This is where the tradition of putting
tangerines in stockings came from.
The three wise men who visited Mary and Joseph when Jesus was
born brought gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts. Some believe that Jesus was
born in a cave and not a stable.
The tradition of Christmas caroling began as an old English
custom. It was originally called wassailing and was a toast to long life.
St. Francis of Assisi began the custom of singing Christmas
carols in church in the 13th century.
There are approximately 60 million trees grown in Europe each
year.
The letter X in Xmas is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
In 1950 the world's largest Christmas tree was placed in a
Washington Mall. It was 221 feet high.
Jingle Bells was originally written by James Pierpont in 1857,
for Thanksgiving not Christmas. It was originally called One Horse Open Sleigh.
The traditional Christmas meal in England before turkey was
mustard and a pig's head.
The world's biggest snowman was 113 feet tall and was built in
Maine.
The Christmas wreath is symbolic of Jesus. The red berries
symbolize his blood and the holly represents the crown of thorns.
In Germany they call Santa Kriss Kringle; in Italy they call
him Le Befana; in France they call him Pere Noel.
The best-selling Christmas song ever is White Christmas by
Bing Crosby. It has sold more than 50 million copies around the world.
Christmas is one of the most profitable times of year for many
businesses.
Enjoy,
Ms. Nora Sierra
EC Assistant Principal
G1 Teacher
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