Christmas Story
Ever wondered about the origins of Christmas traditions? Asked when were Christmas lights first displayed? Below, we have compiled Christmas trivias, facts and legends that will inform and entertain you :)
Christmas is formed from the words Cristes maesse, which means, "Christ's Mass". For the Christians, Christmas is the celebration for the birth of Jesus. Most historians agree that the first Christmas was held in Rome in 336 A.D.
Christmas Carolling began as an old English custom called Wassailing. "Wassail" comes from the Old Norse "ves heill", i.e. to be of good health. This evolved into going from door to door on Christmas Eve and drinking to the neighbour's health.
Charles Dickens wrote a number of Christmas stories, but none was ever as successful as "A Christmas Carol".
During The Middle Ages, swans and peacocks were sometimes served "endored" at Christmas feasts. Endored meant painting flesh with saffron dissolved in melted butter, and served in skin and feather that had been removed earlier.
The Real Christmas tree is edible. Many parts of pines, spruces and firs can be eaten, and some are rich in Vitamin C.
The Yule Log was traditionally burnt in ancient times during the 12-day Christmas celebration. Sometimes the piece of log would be saved for rekindling the fire at the next winter, to ensure that good luck is carried forward to the following year. The Yule log custom is believed to have originated from the Druids.
Traditions Of Santa Claus or Father Christmas links back to ancient Celtics. Santa Claus' elves are the modernization of the "Nature Folk" of the Pagan religions. The reindeers are associated with the "Horned God" - one of the Pagan deities.
St. Nichols was a real man born in 280 A.D. in Asia Minor. He became bishop of Myna (now Demre, Turkey). It's been told that he was born to a wealthy family but upon inheriting his father's fortune, he gave them all away to the poor. Legend has it that he begged for money, disguised himself from being recognized (he was a popular Bishop of the church) and then went around the villages to give the money to poor children. After the Reformation,
his cult disappeared in all the Protestant countries of Europe except Holland, where he is known was "Sinterklaas". Dutch colonists brought the tradition to New Amsterdam (now New York City) and English-speaking Americans adopted him as Santa Claus.
Eating Minced Pies is a Christmas tradition in Britain that dates back to the 16th century. It is believed that eating a minced pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring 12 happy months the following year.
Christmas Is Called Noel by the French. This stemmed from the French phrase "les bonnes nouvelles", which means "the good news" literally.
Christmas Superstitions in Norway include hidding the brooms after the family dinner on the night of Christmas Eve. The Norwegians believe that witches and mischievous spirits came out that night and would steal their brooms for riding.
Christmas Turkeys were a popular fare during Victorian times in England. Some of the birds were bred in Norfolk and then sold in London markets. For the journey to London, the turkeys wore boots made of sacking or leather, and walked to the market. The boots protected their feet from the frozen mud of the road. Geese, however, did not wear boots and their feet were protected with a covering of tar instead.
Go to Christmas Story (Page 2)
|
