All about Christmas

The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ,” later shortened to “Christ-Mass.” The even shorter form “Xmas” – first used in Europe in the 1500s – is derived from the Greek alphabet, in which X is the first letter of Christ’s name: Xristos, therefore “X-Mass.”

Today we know that Christ was not born on the 25th of December. The date was chosen to coincide with the pagan Roman celebrations honoring Saturnus (the harvest god) and Mithras (the ancient god of light), a form of sun worship. These celebrations came on or just after the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, to announce that winter is not forever, that life continues, and an invitation to stay in good spirit.

But there’s much more to the fascinating history of Christmas! Where did the Christmas tree originate, why are Christmas candles important, etc.? The answers are all here.

Ho-Ho-Ho – just click and go.

  

The most popular Christian carols:
Silent Night, Holy Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Little Town of Bethlehem
Angels From the Realms of Glory
The twelfth day of Christmas
Santa Claus is coming to town
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Away in a manger
Joy To the World
What Child Is This