literature

Ever since the day we were born, many or most of us have been introduced to Christmas. Christmas is a celebration we never really miss especially if we’re Christians. As the ‘ber’ months arrive, the Christmas vibes from our homes, schools, malls, and other public places become familiar to us as well.

Christmas

When we hear the words “Christmas”, we immediately think of Santa Claus, chimneys, gifts, and lots of food. We would envision yellow, red, green, or white laser lights covering the gardens of the neighborhood to lighten up the place. Other than this, we also think of Bethlehem, the birth of Christ, stars, etc.

Most of us would think that we know all about the holiday. However, there are actually many interesting facts about this occasion that we might not have any idea of. Check out some of the fun facts listed below,.

15 Facts

• Although Christmas is mostly celebrated on the 25th of December, historians actually believe that the birth of Christ (or Christmas) happened during spring time. That being said, the date December 25 was never mentioned in the bible.
• Christmas originated from the pagan festival Saturnalia which coincided with December 25.
• Santa Claus is real. He is based from a Christian Bishop, St. Nicholas, who lived in Turkey who was famously known as a giver of gifts to the needy.
• The word “Christmas” comes from “Christ’s Mass”.
• In the past, Santa Claus dressed up in blue, green, and white outfits.
• Originally, Rudolph did not have a red nose because back then, a red nose symbolized being a drunkard.
• The Christmas movie which achieved highest-grossing is actually “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” created in 2000.
• The gold chocolate coins originates from St. Nicholas’ fondness of giving bags of gold coins to the less fortunate.
• A Christmas tradition in the past was ghost story telling; however, it had died off along the years.
• The reason why Christmas is spelled Xmas is because the word Christianity used to be spelled as Xianity in the 1100. The X is actually a Greek abbreviation for “Christ”.

• Around 1650s, puritans of Massachusetts banned Christmas for they did not believe that it was celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ.
• There has only been 7 White Christmases in England for the last twentieth century.
• St. Francis of Assisi was the one to introduce Christmas carolsfor church services. Today, some children and/or adults do caroling with the accompaniment of a guitar or other musical instruments.
• Iceland has 13 Santa Clauses.
• Some Christmas figures like Gyra from Iceland and Krampus from Austria kidnaps naughty children for Christmas.
• The song “Jingle Bells” was originally created for Thanksgiving and not for Christmas.
• Christmas wreath symbolizes Jesus; the red berries represent the blood of Christ and the holly symbolizes the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.
• Christmas tree dates back to the 1500s; this is evidenced by a pamphlet.
• A mistletoe actually does more than just kisses; a mistletoe is known to be an aphrodisiac.