Christmas

Christmas

December 31

When did it start?:

Christmas wasn't always Christmas the way we currently celebrate it. In the years before Christ was born, people throughout Europe celebrated the winter soltice. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 (the winter soltice) through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. People would feast until the logs burned out, which could take as long as 12 days.

When did Santa come into the picture?:

Santa's real name is St. Nicholas. It is believed that he was born around 280 A.D.in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was well known for his piety and kindness which made him the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all his money and traveled the countryside helping the sick and poor. He later became known as a protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on December 6, the anniversary of his death.

Who is credited for the Christmas tree?:

Long before Christianity, people all over the world decorated their houses with evergreens because they symbolized everlasting life. Countries around the world hung evergreens up because they believed that it kept evil spirits away. The Germans are actually credited for the Christmas tree tradition sometime in the 16th century. Like most Christmas customs, the Christmas tradition didn't reach America until the 1890s.

Christmas outlawed?:

In 1645 Puritan forces took over England and cancelled Christmas. After popular demand, Charles II was restored to throne and with him came the return of Christmas. English separatists who came to America in 1620 were more harsh in their beliefs about Christmas. Christmas was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Anyone found celebrating Christmas was fined five shillings. In Jamestown though, Captain John Smith reportedthat Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

When did Christmas become a federal holiday?:

After the American Revolution, many people stopped celebrating Christmas since it was a British custom. Congress was actually in session on the first Christmas under the America's new constitution on December 25, 1789. Christmas wasn't adopted as a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

The Mystery of Mistletoe?:

People have been kissing under the mistletoe ever since the Druids decided that mistletoe was a sacred and peaceful plant. People would lay down their arms during war if they came across it. Mistletoe symbolizes love and fertility. Traditionally, women were to sit under the mistletoe and wait for her lover's kiss. In these modern times, women aren't going to just sit and wait under the mistletoe, and in the spirit of equal opportunity, its okay for a man to wait under the mistletoe and wait for someone to pass by. The proper way to use mistletoe is you are to remove a berry for every kiss you receive under the mistletoe.

Why do we hang stockings up?:

Legend has it that there was three sisters who didn't have enough money to marry. St. Nick (Santa Claus) dropped three bags of gold coins down their chimney. The bags fell into the girls' stockings they had hung on the chimney to dry. After that everyone started to hang stockings up in the hopes that St. Nick would share the wealth.

Why is it called eggnog?:

Today, eggnog has no egg in it. So why do we call it eggnog? Back when it was invented, there actually was egg inside it; raw egg, whole milk, and sugar. Add some spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice) and you got yourself a glass of eggnog. As far as the "nog" part, word has it that this holiday drink was served in little wooden cups called noggins.

Christmas December 31
When did it start?:	Christmas wasn't always Christmas the way we currently celebrate it. In the years before Christ was born, people throughout Europe celebrated the winter soltice. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 (the winter soltice) through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. People would feast until the logs burned out, which could take as long as 12 days.
When did Santa come into the picture?:	Santa's real name is St. Nicholas. It is believed that he was born around 280 A.D.in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was well known for his piety and kindness which made him the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all his money and traveled the countryside helping the sick and poor. He later became known as a protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on December 6, the anniversary of his death.
Who is credited for the Christmas tree?:	Long before Christianity, people all over the world decorated their houses with evergreens because they symbolized everlasting life. Countries around the world hung evergreens up because they believed that it kept evil spirits away. The Germans are actually credited for the Christmas tree tradition sometime in the 16th century. Like most Christmas customs, the Christmas tradition didn't reach America until the 1890s.
Christmas outlawed?:	In 1645 Puritan forces took over England and cancelled Christmas. After popular demand, Charles II was restored to throne and with him came the return of Christmas. English separatists who came to America in 1620 were more harsh in their beliefs about Christmas. Christmas was outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Anyone found celebrating Christmas was fined five shillings. In Jamestown though, Captain John Smith reportedthat Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
When did Christmas become a federal holiday?:	After the American Revolution, many people stopped celebrating Christmas since it was a British custom. Congress was actually in session on the first Christmas under the America's new constitution on December 25, 1789. Christmas wasn't adopted as a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
The Mystery of Mistletoe?:	People have been kissing under the mistletoe ever since the Druids decided that mistletoe was a sacred and peaceful plant. People would lay down their arms during war if they came across it. Mistletoe symbolizes love and fertility. Traditionally, women were to sit under the mistletoe and wait for her lover's kiss. In these modern times, women aren't going to just sit and wait under the mistletoe, and in the spirit of equal opportunity, its okay for a man to wait under the mistletoe and wait for someone to pass by. The proper way to use mistletoe is you are to remove a berry for every kiss you receive under the mistletoe.
Why do we hang stockings up?:	Legend has it that there was three sisters who didn't have enough money to marry. St. Nick (Santa Claus) dropped three bags of gold coins down their chimney. The bags fell into the girls' stockings they had hung on the chimney to dry. After that everyone started to hang stockings up in the hopes that St. Nick would share the wealth.
Why is it called eggnog?:	Today, eggnog has no egg in it. So why do we call it eggnog? Back when it was invented, there actually was egg inside it; raw egg, whole milk, and sugar. Add some spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice) and you got yourself a glass of eggnog. As far as the "nog" part, word has it that this holiday drink was served in little wooden cups called noggins.