No Christmas in the Bible
The Bible does not actually state that Christmas was on December 25. It was Pope Julius I, in the 4th century, who proclaimed December 25 as the official celebration day of Jesus' birth. His selection was most likely influenced by the fact that the Romans traditionally celebrated the winter solstice on this date.
People Celebrate Christmas on Different Dates
Not everybody celebrates Christmas on the 25th of December. In many parts of Russia and the middle east where the Orthodox Church is prevalent, Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January. The difference arises because the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for calculating holy dates.
The Significance of Mistletoe
The tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe is derived from ancient Norse mythology. It was widely believed that Mistletoe was a symbol of love and peace. So, if any enemies met under the Mistletoe, they should maintain peace at least until the next day.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Christmas Day initially marked the start of the Twelve Days of Christmas. It’s a period of continuous festivity that ends only on January 5, the day before Epiphany.
The Name 'Christmas'
"Christmas" comes from the term "Cristes Maesse", meaning "Mass of Christ." It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christian Messiah. The name was first recorded in 1038, combined with the Old English term "Cristes-messe".
McDonald's on Christmas Day
In Japan, many people order KFC and McDonald's for Christmas dinner as most homes are not equipped to prepare the typical American-style Christmas turkey.
Biggest In-Store Shopping Day
While Black Friday significantly dominates online sales, December 25 usually registers the highest in-store shopping activities. This is usually due to last-minute shopping and post-Christmas sales.
Christmas Trees Losing Needles
If you don't want your Christmas tree to lose too many needles, keep it away from the heat. Christmas trees inevitably lose needles, but if it’s kept away from heat—like fireplaces and heaters—it will definitely lose fewer needles.
Santa's Reindeer Were Not Always Eight
Santa’s eight reindeer were first introduced in 1823 in Clement C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (The Night Before Christmas). Before that, no concrete number was associated with Santa’s reindeer.
First Decorated Christmas Tree
The first recorded decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia, in 1510. The tree was decorated with paper flowers by the local merchants and was burnt at the end of the season.
The Importance of Candy Canes
In the past, candy canes were purely white. The red stripe was added in the 1900s. Also, candy canes were hung on Christmas trees for the first time in 1882.
Christmas and Astronomy
December 25 is the day the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun. This is actually the reason why we have winter, and that Christmas is celebrated in December.
Stockings and St. Nicholas
The tradition of hanging stockings comes from a Dutch legend where St. Nicholas once dropped a bag of gold down a man’s chimney so that his daughters could afford to get married, and it fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry.
Poinsettia Sales and Christmas
Poinsettias, a popular Christmas plant, contribute significantly to sales in the US than any other potted plant. In fact, Poinsettias account for about one-quarter (23%) of sales of all flowering potted plants.
St. Francis of Assisi Introduced Carolling
St. Francis of Assisi introduced carolling to the Christmas holiday in the 12th century. Carols were initially written in Latin, and it was St. Francis who introduced them in the language of the people, making them more accessible to all.
Biggest Christmas Present
The Statue of Liberty was the biggest Christmas gift, presented by France to the USA in 1886.
NORAD Tracks Santa
Since 1955, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, as he makes his journey around the world to deliver presents to children.
Jingle Bells' Original Purpose
The song, "Jingle Bells," was initially written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. It was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont.
The Christmas Pickle
A quirky Christmas tradition in the US involves hiding a pickle in the Christmas tree. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning is rewarded with a special gift.
Coca-Cola and Santa’s Modern Image
Our modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly, plump man in a red suit was popularized by Coca-Cola advertisements. The ads, featuring illustrations by Haddon Sundblom, began appearing in the 1930s and have greatly influenced the popular image of Santa Claus we know today.
December 25th is steeped in history, and its celebration patterns have greatly evolved over the years. Its associated rituals reflect the fusion of different customs from around the globe. So, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, these facts provide insight into the rich tapestry of traditions and history tied to this date.