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Fun Facts about Christmas
Archive
Christmas Trees ~ During the Carolingian Era in eighth century Germany, St. Boniface converted the Saxon Germans to Christianity. It was a tradition of the Saxon to worship the fir tree sacred to Odin. Boniface chopped the tree down to show that it had no power. He then encouraged the Saxons to bring small fir trees into their homes and light candles on them in reverence to baby Jesus at Christmas.
Santa Claus ~ An old bishop named Nicholas lived on the coast of ancient Asia minor (modern Turkey) during the fourth century. He was known mainly for his generosity to poor children and sailors. December 6th was an established feast day to honor him that eventually spread west in the Middle Ages. His festival gradually merged with Christmas and he became the patron of gift giving. In Dutch, he was known as Sinter Claes but when his name reached the New World, it was exchanged for Santa Claus.
Holly & Mistletoe ~ A legend arose in the early middle ages that Christ’s crown of thorns was made of holly. Mistletoe was a plant of peace and a correlation was made to Christ’s title, “Prince of Peace.”
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ~ The original story was written in 1939 by Robert L. May as a Montgomery Ward Christmas book. Ten years later, the popular song was created by Johnny Marks and Gene Autry.
Manger Scenes ~ St. Francis of Assisi started these in central Italy in 1223.