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8 31 Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘X’mas

31 Facts You Didn't Know

About ‘X’mas

By ‘X’ Chronicles Staff

Tis the season to be...well informed. We all love
Christmas, but how much do any of us actually
know about why Christmas is the way it is?
Here are 31 facts about Christmas trees, Santa
Claus, and Rudolph that you (probably) didn’t
know. Smarten up!

1. Christmas supposedly marks the birth
of Jesus Christ on December 25. But there is no
mention of December 25 in the Bible and most
historians actually believe he was born in the
spring.
2. December 25 was probably chosen
because it coincided with the ancient pagan
festival Saturnalia, which celebrated the
agricultural god Saturn with partying, Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down the man’s 22. The first batch of eggnog in America
gambling, and gift-giving. chimney so that his oldest daughter would be was crafted at Captain John Smith’s Jameston
3. Many of the popular Christmas able to get married, and the bag fell into a settlement in 1607, and the name eggnog comes
traditions today found their roots in Saturnalia: stocking that was drying by the fire. from the word “grog,” which refers to any drink
Branches from evergreen trees were used during 12. One of the reasons we leave milk made with rum.
winter solstice as a reminder of the green plants and cookies for Santa is because Dutch kids 23. “Silent Night” is the most recorded
that would grow in spring when the sun gods would leave food and drink for St. Nicholas on Christmas song in history, with over 733
grew strong. his feast day. different versions copyrighted since 1978.
4. These evergreen branches became the 13. And we leave carrots for Santa 24. Legend has it that “Silent Night”
foundation of our Christmas tree. Germans are Claus’ reindeer because, in Norse mythology, was written by a Father Joseph Mohr in Austria,
thought to be the first to bring “Christmas trees” people left hay and treats for Odin’s eight- who was determined to have music at his
into their homes at the holidays and decorate legged horse Sleipnir “in hopes the god would Christmas service after his organ broke. In
them with cookies and lights. stop by their home during his Yule hunting reality, a priest wrote it while stationed at a
5. The Christmas tree made its way to adventures.” Dutch children adopted this pilgrim church in Austria.
America in the 1830s but wasn’t popular until tradition too, and would treats for St. Nick’s 25. Meanwhile, “White Christmas” is
1846, after Germany’s Prince Albert brought it horse. the best-selling song of all time.
to England when he married Queen Victoria. 14. The look of Santa Claus we have 26. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
The two were sketched in front of a Christmas today was created at an 1804 meeting of the actually has a truly depressing back-story:
tree and the tradition instantly became popular. New York Historical Society, where member songwriter James "Haven" Gillespie was broke,
Royal fever was real even back then. John Pintard handed out wooden cutouts of jolly jobless, and his brother had just died when he
6. The well-known reason we give old St. Nick in front of stockings filled with was asked to write a Christmas song. He was
presents at Christmas is to symbolize the gifts toys. originally too overcome with grief, but
given to baby Jesus by the three wise men. But 15. Though Santa Claus has worn blue eventually found inspiration in his brother’s
it may also stem from the Saturnalia tradition and white and green in the past, his traditional death and the Christmas memories they had
that required revelers to offer up rituals to the red suit came from a 1930s ad by Coca Cola. together.
gods. 16. And the image of him Santa Claus 27. The original lyrics to “Hark! The
7. Because of its roots in pagan festivals, flying in a sleigh started in 1819...and was Herald Angel Sings” were “Hark! How the
Christmas was not immediately accepted by the dreamt up by the same author who created the Welkin rings!” Welkin is an old, English term
religious. In fact, from 1659 to 1681, it was Headless Horseman, Washington Irving. for Heaven. A preacher later tweaked the lyric.
illegal to celebrate Christmas in Boston. You 17. Rudolph was actually conceived by 28. “Jingle Bells” was originally
were fined if you were caught celebrating. a department store, Montgomery Ward, as a supposed to be a Thanksgiving song.
8. Santa Claus comes from St. Nicholas, marketing gimmick to get kids to buy holiday 29. Boston church leaders tried to have
a Christian bishop living in (what is now) coloring books. the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
Turkey in the fourth century AD. St. Nicholas 18. Rudolph almost didn’t have a red banned in the 1950s because they thought it
had inherited a great deal of wealth and was nose either: At the time, a red nose was a sign of “promoted physical intimacy.” Singer Jimmy
known for giving it away to help the needy. chronic alcoholism and Montgomery Ward Boyd had to fly to Boston and explain to them
When sainted, he became the protector of thought he would look like a drunkard. why it wasn’t obscene.
children. 19. Rudolph was almost named Rollo or 30. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for
9. After his death, the legend of St. Reginald. Reginald the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Is You” is considered to be the most
Nicholas spread. St. Nick’s name became Sint- doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. popular Christmas song now. In the music
Nicolaas in Dutch, or Sinter Klaas for short. 20. The poem that introduced us to the video, Santa is played by Mariah’s then-
Which is only a hop, skip, and jump to Santa other eight reindeer, “A Visit From St. husband, Tommy Mottola.
Claus. Nicholas,” actually named dropped Dasher, 31. And the highest-grossing Christmas
10. Santa Claus delivering presents Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Duner movie of all time is How the Grinch Stole
comes from Holland’s celebration of St. and Blixem. (Which, like Donner and Blitzen, Christmas. The Jim Carrey version. Who knew?
Nicholas’ feast day on December 6. Children come from the German words for thunder and
would leave shoes out the night before and, in lightning.) For The VERY BEST of Radio
the morning, would find little gifts that St. 21. Over the years, other reindeer have Programming in the
Nicholas would leave them. been name checked on Santa’s sleigh team, such World of the Paranormal and
11. And stockings come from this story: as: Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Scratcher, The Science of Parapsychology
A poor man with three daughters couldn’t afford Feckless, Ready, Steady, and Fireball (no 24 / 7 / 365 Visit
the dowry to have them married. One night, St. relation to the whiskey). www.xzbn.net