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When we think of Christmas, we imagine beautiful moments spent with family and friends, holidays, parties, concerts and lots of food. However, there is a lot more to Christmas than wearing festive hats, drinking, eating, and giving/receiving gifts from loved ones.
Christmas is a significant celebration and tradition observed for centuries. Here are eight surprising facts about Christmas you probably never knew.
Christmas Wasn’t Celebrated on December 25
While it is the custom to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December every year, the actual date of the birth of Jesus Christ whom we celebrate is lost to history. Although many historians claim Jesus was born in the spring, some also mentioned that the date was originally chosen because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which celebrates Saturn (the agricultural god) with sharing of gifts.
Christmas Tree Tradition
The tradition of decorating homes with Christmas trees date back to ancient Egypt and Rome. The Egyptians and Romans decorated with evergreens during the winter solstice to mark the return of spring. The idea of the Christmas tree later became popular when Prince Albert of Germany got a tree for his wife, Queen Victoria of England.
The Santa Claus Idea
The idea of Santa Claus came from St Nicholas, the saint who was known to be more generous than jolly. St Nicholas neither had a beard nor wore a red suit. That tradition came much later in the fourth century when the Christian bishop gifted his inheritance to the poor and rescued women from subjection. His Dutch name being Sinter Klaas later morphed into Santa Claus in English.
“Jingle Bells” was Originally a Thanksgiving Song
The song “One Horse Open Sleigh” was written by James Lord Pierpont for his church’s Thanksgiving concert in the mid-19th century. In 1857, it was re-released under the popular “Jingle Bells” title we love. To date, it remains one of the most sung Christmas songs.
“Silent Night” is the Most Recorded Song
Another popular Christmas song, “Silent Night” is said to have been sung more than the others. Silent Night is the most-recorded Christmas title in history and has over 733 different versions copyrighted since 1987.
Rudolph was a Marketing Strategy
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared in 1939 when the Montgomery Ward department store instructed one of its copywriters to create an amazing Christmas story for kids that could run as a promotion. The movie of course hit the airwaves with a huge comeback.
Christmas Wreaths Symbolize the Crown of Thorns
The Christmas wreaths are religious symbols that represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. The red berries symbolize the blood he shed.
The term “Xmas” Dates Back to the 16th Century
“Christianity” was spelt “Xianity” as far back as 1100. In 1551, Christmas was popular as “Xtemmas” and was later shortened to “Xmas”.
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