The Origin of Christmas and Facts.
Christmas - from the old English 'Cristes Mæsse' meaning 'mass of Christ' where this is the day the Jesus Christ was born. Although the December is not the exact month, it was choosen to compete with rival pagan.
Santa Clause - In the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (an area in present Turkey). St. Nicholas was a generous man and devoted to children. After his death, Italian sailors stole his remaining and greatly increase St. Nicholas' popularity throughout Europe.
His kindness and generosity gave rise to claims he could perform miracles. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by fireplace, and treats would be placed in it. In the 17th century, this tradition was brought to America and Anglican name of Santa Claus emerged.
Christmas Trees - In 16th century Germany, fir trees were decorated in both indoors and out, with apples, roses, glided candies, and coloured paper. A fir tree hung with apples symbolise the Garden of Eden in a religious play during the Middle Ages.
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany and soon it was popularised.
Christmas Stockings - According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without any dowries.
The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings that had hung by the fireplace to dry.
Mistletoe - used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during winter. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers. The plant was seen as a symbol of peace.
Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, the goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under mistletoe had the promises of happiness and good luck.
Holly, Ivy and Greenery - In northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winder, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical power, and often placed over the doors of homes. Greenery was also brought indoors to freshen the air and brighten the mood.
Legend also has it that holly sprang from the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. The pointed leaves were said to represent the crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross and the red berries symbolized the blood he shed.
Poinsettias - A native Mexican plant. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, realized he had no gift for the Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. Though the other children mocked him, when the leaves were laid at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. The bright red petals, often mistaken for flowers, are actually the upper leaves of the plant.
The Candy cane - Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shephreds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
The candy treats were given to children to keep them quiet during ceremonies at the living creche, and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe.
