DID YOU KNOW?

Christmas on December 25th is supposedly the birthday of Jesus Christ. However, the date is not mentioned in the Bible and most historians actually believe he was born in Spring. December 25 was probably chosen because it coincided with the ancient pagan festival Saturnalia, which celebrated the agricultural God Saturn with partying and gift-giving. Many of the popular Christmas traditions today found their roots in Saturnalia. Germans are thought to be the first to bring “Christmas trees” into their homes at the holidays and decorate them with cookies and lights.

The Christmas tree made its way to America in the 1830s but wasn’t popular until 1846, after Germany’s Prince Albert brought it to England when he married Queen Victoria. The two were sketched in front of a Christmas tree and the tradition instantly became popular. Royal fever was real even back then.

The well-known reason we give presents at Christmas is to symbolize the gifts given to baby Jesus by the three wise men. Because of its roots in pagan festivals, Christmas was not immediately accepted by the religious. In fact, from 1659 to 1681, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in Boston; one was fined if celebrating.

Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas, a Christian bishop living in (what is now) Turkey in the fourth century AD. St. Nicholas had inherited a great deal of wealth and was known for giving it away to help the needy. When sainted, he became the protector of children.

Though Santa Claus has worn blue and white and green in the past, his traditional red suit came from a 1930s ad by Coca Cola. Moreover, “Jingle Bells” was originally supposed to be a Thanksgiving song.

Merry Christmas.

ShareIT