Merry Christmas to everyone!  Christmas traditions developed and evolved over the centuries, and many origins sound like a discovery. Did you ever wonder where the Christmas tree, the word Xmas and mistletoe came from? Read on to find out interesting facts and acknowledgements about one of the year’s biggest celebrations!

Where’s the noise from?
Dating back to Rome in 330 AD, the Christian holiday of Christmas is one of the oldest and most powerful celebrations in human history. Originally celebrated as a simple mass, Christmas has come to replace a number of other holidays in many countries, and a large number of traditions have become a cherished part of the celebration.

What’s the word?
The actual word “Christmas” comes from Cristes maesse, or “Christ’s Mass” – the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. In fact, baby Jesus was not born on December 25th, as many may assume. Nobody knows the exact date, but some biblical scholars point to May 14th. December 25th was picked by Catholic Church to eclipse the festivities of a rival pagan festival, Saturnalia. And the popular abbreviation Xmas comes from the Greek word for Christ, Xristos. It was invented by Europeans in 16th century.

What’s with the fir?
On of the most popular holiday symbols – the Christmas tree originated in Germany, possibly early 700 AD. In 1530, Martin Luther, as the story goes, was stunned by the stars shining through the forest of firs near his home. He cut a small one and brought it inside. He decorated it with candles as a salute to the star of Bethlehem. In the 1800s, the fir tree became widespread throughout Europe and was brought to America by German immigrants in the 1820s. In 1880, Woolworth’s sold the first manufactured Christmas tree ornaments, and the first electrically lighted Christmas tree appeared in 1882.

Who’s the fat man in the red suit?
Good old Santa was not born in Lapland or North Pole. He was born in Turkey as Saint Nicholas during the 4th century, who devoted his life to helping the poor and performing miracles. The actual name Santa Claus comes from Dutch Sinterklaas, and the modern image of a jolly fat man in a red suit was created in 1822 by Clement C. Moore in his famous poem “A visit from St. Nick” (later published as “The Night Before Christmas”).  

Herb that makes you kiss
Wonderful mistletoe did not come from Christians but from Druids, who decorated their homes with it to celebrate the coming of winter two hundred years before the birth of Christ. They believed that it cured everything – from female infertility to poison. But because of the pagan origins, the early church banned its use in Christmas celebrations and suggested holly as a substitute. Holly's sharply pointed leaves were to symbolize the thorns in Christ's crown and the red berries drops of his blood.