Page 17 - 200712 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2007

17 Christmas Facts 17 Christmas Facts CHRISTMAS other religious leaders specified 25 December soldiers came out of their trenches, approaching CHRISTMAS as the official date of the birth of Jesus Christ. the allied lines, calling "Merry Christmas". At ACTS F FACTS - 26 December was traditionally known as St first the allied soldiers thought it was a trick, but Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as they soon climbed out of their trenches and - The common abbreviation for Christmas to Boxing Day. This expression came about shook hands with the German soldiers. The truce Xmas is derived from the Greek alphabet. X is because money was collected in alms-boxes lasted a few days, and the men exchanged letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ's placed in churches during the festive season. presents of cigarettes and plum puddings, sang name in the Greek alphabet. This money was then distributed during to the carols and songs. They even played a game of - Oliver Cromwell, in England banned poor and needy after Christmas. Soccer. Christmas Carols between 1649 and 1660. - Melbourne, Australia has a sporting Boxing - In 1937, the first postage stamp to Cromwell thought that Christmas should be a Day tradition. The Melbourne Cricket Ground commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria. very solemn day so he banned carols and hosts a Cricket test match. Sometimes this - In 1974, the Australian city of Darwin is parties. The only celebration was by a sermon attracts 90, 000 spectators. Cricket is Australia's devastated late on Christmas Eve and in the and a prayer service. premier Summer sport. early hours of the morning by Cyclone Tracy. Continued on Page 18 - In 1643, the British Parliament officially - The first printed reference to Christmas trees Continued on Page 18 abolishes the celebration of Christmas. appeared in Germany in 1531 - The Puritans in America tried to make In 1836, Alabama is the first state in the USA to Merry Merry Thanksgiving Day the most important annual declare Christmas a legal holiday. Christmas Christmas festival instead of Christmas. - In 1843, the first Christmas card was printed in From From - Silent Night was written in 1818, by an England for Sir Henry Cole. He was busy man Canada! Canada! Austrian priest Joseph Mohr. He was told the who wanted to save time in his own Christmas day before Christmas that the church organ was letters, but was also interested in encouraging (Canada’s (Canada’s broken and would not be prepared in time for the expansion of the postal system. 1000 copies Capital, Capital, Christmas Eve. He was saddened by this and of the card were sold at one shilling each. It was Ottawa, Ottawa, could not think of Christmas without music, so not until the 1860s that the production of cards Ontario) Ontario) he wanted to write a carol that could be sung by accelerated, with cheaper printing methods. choir to guitar music. He sat down and wrote Then in 1870, the Post Office introduced a half three stanzas. Later that night the people in the penny stamp for sending cards. little Austrian Church sang "Stille Nacht" for - In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorates the first time. the first White House Christmas tree. - St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas - In 1907, Oklahoma became the last USA state Carols to formal church services. to declare Christmas a legal holiday. - Telesphorus, the second Bishop of Rome (125- - At midnight on Christmas Eve 1914 firing 136 AD) declared that public Church services from the German trenches suddenly stopped. A should be held to celebrate "The Nativity of our German brass band began playing Christmas Lord and Saviour." In 320 AD, Pope Julius I and carols. Early, Christmas morning, the German $34.95 $34.95 TREASON ABOUNDS TREASON ABOUNDS Did you ever wonder . . . ? TREASON ABOUNDS TREASON ABOUNDS * Why our borders are not secure? is available at is available at * Why "eminent domain" is being abused? SPPMall.com SPPMall.com * Why our Congress lets the President run wild? * Why the media spends so much time on celebrities and not "real" News? Find all these answers, and more, in this, Dr. Daneen G. Peterson's new book "Treason Abounds"!! The book contains 322 information packed pages with 177 full-color photographs and 344 references. Educate Yourself and Prepare To 'Stand and Fight'!! PLACE YOUR ORDER AT www.SPPMall.com www.StopTheNorthAmericanUnion.com www.StopTheNorthAmericanUnion.com