| Christmas time is here again and we want to grab | | | | 6. Santa Claus |
| your attention to this article on Christmas. | | | | Does Santa exist? |
| It not only is interesting, but also has tons about the | | | | In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and |
| true meaning of Christmas. | | | | traditions about St. Nicholas became very unpopular. |
| The true meaning of Christmas is sometimes | | | | But someone had to deliver presents to children at |
| crowded out by the frenzy of buying and gift giving. | | | | Christmas, so in the U.K., he became 'Father |
| Our top 10 facts about Christmas are sure to help | | | | Christmas',a character from old children's stories; in |
| you get a better understanding of Christmas. | | | | France, he was then known as 'Père |
| We mean to let everyone know more about | | | | Nöel'; in Germany,the Christ Child or 'Christ Kind. |
| Christmas after reading this! | | | | In the early U.S.A. his name was 'Kris Kringle'. |
| 1. Jesus Christ | | | | Later, Dutch settlers in the USA took the old stories |
| First and foremost, the birth of Jesus Christ is true | | | | of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became |
| meaning of Christmas | | | | 'Sinter Klass' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'! |
| Christmas was first celebrated as a proper day, on | | | | 7. Mistletoe |
| the 25th December, in the 5th century,in the time of | | | | Mistletoe is a plant that grows on willow and apple |
| the Roman Emperor Constantine. | | | | trees (and in garden centres!). |
| 2. Christmas Carols | | | | The practice of hanging it in the house goes back to |
| The custom of carolling through the streets | | | | the times of the ancient Druids. |
| originated in England when rich businessmen | | | | It is supposed to possess mystical powers which |
| hiredsingers to accompany their strolls. The tradition | | | | bring good luck to the household and ward off evil |
| quickly extended to all types of choruses. | | | | spirits. |
| "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" was definitely on | | | | It was also used as a sign of friendship and that's |
| everyone's list. | | | | where the custom of kissing under Mistletoe comes |
| 3. Christmas Cards | | | | from! |
| In 1843, the first Christmas card was printed in | | | | 8. Xmas |
| England for Sir Henry Cole. | | | | Xmas can also mean Christmas! |
| He was busy man who wanted to save time in his | | | | The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ |
| own Christmas letters, | | | | (or Jesus). |
| 4. Christmas Tree | | | | A Mass service is where Christians remember that |
| In the 16th century Martin Luther, a German | | | | Jesus died for us and then came back to life. |
| preacher, was the first to bring a Christmas tree into | | | | The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was |
| a house. | | | | allowed to take place after sunset, |
| A story is told that, one night before Christmas, he | | | | So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to |
| was walking through the forest and looked upto see | | | | Christmas. |
| the stars shining through the tree branches. It was | | | | Christmas is also sometimes called Xmas. Some |
| so beautiful, that he went home and told his | | | | people don't think it's correct to call Christmas |
| childrenthat it reminded him of Jesus, who left the | | | | 'Xmas'as that takes the 'Christ' (Jesus) out of |
| stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas. | | | | Christmas. But that is not quite right! In the Greek |
| 5. Christmas Gifts | | | | languageand alphabet, the letter that looks like an X |
| One of the main reasons we have the custom of | | | | is pronounced 'Christos' and means 'Christ'! |
| giving and receiving presents at Christmas,is to | | | | 9. Christmas Stamps |
| remind us of the presents given to Jesus by the | | | | In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate |
| three Wise Men: Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. | | | | Christmas was issued in Austria. |
| Frankincense was a perfume used in Jewish worship | | | | 10. 'The Lamb of God' |
| and, as a gift, it showed that people would worship | | | | Two thousand years ago the King of Kings was born. |
| Jesus. | | | | 'The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn, |
| Gold was associated with Kings and Christians believe | | | | If his words are accepted and not scorned, |
| that Jesus is the King of Kings. | | | | They will make us all reborn. |
| Myrrh was a perfume that was put on dead bodies | | | | We hope that what we have stated here on |
| to make them smell nice and, as a gift,it showed that | | | | Christmas is indeed inspiring to you, the reader. |
| Jesus would suffer and die. | | | | |