10 Facts on Christmas Week

Ever wondered why Christmas is also called Xmas? Or do you know the origin of the word Christmas? If no, then here are a few interesting facts on Christmas:

1. The concept of Santa Claus is loosely based on an actual person St. Nicholas. He was born in the year 270 and was the Bishop of Myra. Turkey. He was famous as a gift giver and would often pay the dowries on behalf of poor girls. He would also distribute treats, coins and sweetmeats to children anonymously during night time. He is the patron saint of children.

2. Christmas is referred with different names in different parts of the world. In Finland it is known as Joulu, Christmas in India is referred as Burra Din, in Sweden it is known as Jul or Jol.

3. The word Christmas comes from the Old English word Christes Maesse which meant Christ’s Mass. Its usage was first recorded in the year 1123.

4. The tradition of sending Christmas card was first started in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. His card was designed by painter John Callcott Horsley. However, it was not until 1883 that these cards became popular and were known as Christmas cards.

5. Do you know that the song Jingle Bell was originally written for Thanksgiving? This is also the first song that was broadcast from space in 1965 when Astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford sang it from Gemini 6 spaceflight.

6. Christmas is also referred as Xmas, which has its roots in the Greek language. In Greek, the letter X is the symbol used for Christ. Xmas was used as an abbreviation of Christmas since the mid-1500s.

7. Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm all across the world including India. In Darjeeling, Windamere Hotel, the only authentic colonial hotel, has been organising Christmas week since 1939. During these celebrations, renowned international entertainers from different part of the world would charm and enthral the audience with their performance. This year, Windamere Hotel will be celebrating Christmas and New year eve from December 20th to December 31st.

8. Do you know that the Greeks celebrate Christmas on January 7th? According to the old Julian calender, Christmas fell on January 7th. They open their Christmas gifts on the New Year’s eve.

9. During the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi first introduced the concept of singing Carols in the church.

10. The custom of hanging gifts on the Christmas tree first came from the Druids. They believed that trees delivered all the good things in life.