Christmas is a worldwide favourite holiday. This holiday brings happiness, light, presents, music, and family time together. It is celebrated on December 25 each year by many people around the world.
The majority of people understand the common customs associated with this holiday. However, there are a variety of exciting and surprising things about Christmas that you may not have heard of before!
Below are some interesting facts.
1. There were no Scriptural Accounts of the Birth Date of Jesus Christ Prior to 325 A.D.
There is no record of Christ’s birth date in Scripture; however, Christians during this time utilized various times to celebrate the event’s anniversary. Eventually, in A.D.325, the Roman Catholic Church set December 25 as the official celebration of Christ’s birthday, to coincide with pagan winter festivals and encourage people to come together.
2. Christmas Is Celebrated in More Than 160 Countries
Christmas is not limited to one culture or region. It is celebrated in over 160 countries, including many non-Christian nations. Each country has its own customs. For example, in Japan, people often eat fried chicken on Christmas. In Australia, Christmas falls in summer, so many people celebrate it on the beach.
3. Santa Claus is Based on a True Story
Saint Nicholas was a nice man that lived in what is now Turkey in the 4th century who helped the needy, especially children, in secret. His legend developed into how we know Santa Claus as Happy Santa today.
4. Christmas Trees Were Originally Decorated with Candles
When electric Christmas lights were not yet available to decorate Christmas trees, people would use candles to illuminate their trees. The result was a beautiful decoration; however, using candles was also extremely hazardous.
The very first electric Christmas lights were showcased in a demonstration in 1882. The introduction of electric lights made Christmas lighting safe as well as bright. Nowadays, brightly colored Christmas lights are among the most popular representations of the holiday season.
5. The Song “Jingle Bells” Was Not Actually Written For Christmas
Contrary to popular belief, the original intent of the song “Jingle Bells” was not to celebrate Christmas at all, but rather Thanksgiving! It was only after it gained popularity as a Christmas song because of its fun musical style and wintery subject that it became widely known as a Christmas classic worldwide.
6. Long History of Christmas Cards
Christmas Cards can be traced back to the first commercial Christmas card created in the year 1843 in England. The custom of sending Christmas cards began with this early commercial Christmas card. Today, most people use digital Christmas cards, but the purpose of sending a Christmas card is still the same— to express love and give greetings during the holiday season.
7.Christmas is a major occasion for people worldwide to exchange gifts.
The tradition of giving gifts on Christmas is based on the gifts brought to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. While gift-giving is a tradition because it represents many things, such as love, kindness, sharing, and happiness, it also has a significant cultural component. Gift-giving is a way to express one’s love for another person through their gifts, and to demonstrate their appreciation of others by giving gifts to them.
8. Different Ways to Celebrate Christmas Around the World
In many parts of the world, both during Christmas and otherwise, there are different ways to celebrate life, family, faith and everything else. Some people focus their Christmas Celebration around food, some around Church Services/Community Events; while others have their own ways of celebrating.
In India, they celebrate Christmas through use of Christmas Stars, candles, sweets and candlelight vigils. Each country will differ in how they choose to celebrate Christmas which makes Christmas so unique!
9. The Meaning of “Christmas”
The name Christmas is taken from the Latin phrase, “Christus Missa,” or “Christ’s Mass.” This reference to a special religious observance, first observed in AD 336, to commemorate the nativity of Jesus Christ eventually evolved into the modern term “Christmas”.
10. Santa Claus, Christmas Trees and Giving`back Christmas
Christmas is not only about gifts, decorations, celebrations, etc The Christmas season also embodies compassion and service Those who give their time and resources to help those less fortunate to enjoy the holidays are participating in one of the most valuable traditions of the Christmas season.
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