Christmas Facts And Trivia From Around The World
Christmas traditions around the world usually include a gift giver, but this entity is different from country to country:
In the United States and Canada, his name is Santa Claus.
In China, he is called Shengdan Laoren.
In England, his name is Father Christmas.
In Costa Rica, Columbia, and Mexico it’s El Niño Jesús (Baby Jesus) who leaves the gifts on Christmas Eve night while everyone is sleeping.
In Brazil and Peru, he’s Papá Noel
In Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish Speaking countries Los Reyes Magos (The Three Wise Men), are the ones who leave gifts on January 6th. In these countries, children usually get gifts both on Christmas, and on January 6th.
In Morocco he is known as Black Peter
In France, he’s Père Noël (Father Christmas)
In Germany, she’s Christkind. A beautiful angelic like girl with a shining crown of candles
In Holland, it’s Saint Nicholas
In Italy, she’s La Befana. A kind old witch
Russia: In some parts it’s Babouschka, a kind grandmother figure. In other parts of Russia, it’s Grandfather Frost
Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing where people toasted each other to a long and healthy life.
The sharply pointed leaves of holly symbolized the thorns in Christ’s crown, and the red berries drops of his blood.
The common abbreviation for Christmas to Xmas derives from the Greek alphabet. X is the letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ’s name in the Greek alphabet.
The poinsettia is the most common Christmas flower in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
There are 364 gifts in the Twelve Days Of Christmas. One gift for every day of the year.
The Twelve Days Of Christmas represents the length of time it took The tree Wise men from the East to reach the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Their arrival on the twelfth day is celebrated as the Feast of Epiphany in many countries.
The tradition of Christmas lights dates back to when Christians were persecuted for saying Mass. A simple candle in he window meant that Mass would e celebrated there that night.
Mistletoe, a traditional Christmas symbol, was once revered by the Britons. It was so sacred, it had to be cut with a golden sickle.
Santa’s Reindeers are Rudulph, the leader, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen Comet, Cupid Donner, and Blitzen.
Santa has two addresses: Edinburg, and The North Pole. Letters addressed to Toyland or any other address go to Edinburg; however, letters addressed to the North Pole are sent there because there’s really such a place.
Over 1.76 billion candy canes are made during the Christmas season.
More than three billion Christmas cards are sent annually in the United States
Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday. This tradition began in 1836.
Oklahoma became the last US state to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1907.
In Syria, Christmas gifts are distributed by one of the Wise Men’s camels. The gift given camel is said to have been the smallest one in the Wise Men’s caravan.
In Norway on Christmas Eve, after the families have had their holiday dinner, and opened all the presents, they proceed to hide all the brooms in the house. In ancient times, the Norwegians believed that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve, and would steal their brooms for riding.
In the Netherlands, Christmas centers on the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who is believed to come on horseback bearing gifts. Before going to bed, Children leave out their shoes hoping to find them filled with sweets when they wake up in the morning.
In Italy, La Befana is a kindly witch who rides a broomstick down the Chimney leaving gifts for the children. The legend says that one day, while La Befana was sweeping her floor, the Three Wise Men stopped by to ask her to come with them to see the baby Jesus. she said she was too busy at the moment, and could not go with them. Later she changed her mind, but it was too late. From then on, every year she goes out on Christmas Eve searching for the Holy Child leaving gifts in each household for the Holy baby Jesus.
In The Ukraine, it is customary to include an artificial spider and web as part of the Christmas tree decoration. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.
The tradition of the Salvation Army Christmas collection kettle started in 1891 when in an effort to raise money for a charity Christmas dinner, they put a large crab pot on a San Francisco street for passers-by to put money in it.
In the religious tradition, Christmas season begins at sundown on December 24th., and ends on January 5th with the feast of Epiphany. This is why, the season is also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.