Saturday, December 24, 2011

Ten Fascinating Facts About Christmas-- Part 1

From the Dec. 23, 2010, Listverse.

Of course, they have pictures and more information.

10. THE DATE-- Not a big thing with early Christians. The first evidence of the date was around 200 AD and was May 20th. In the 380s, Rome began celebrating it on Dec. 25th.

9. NATIVITY SCENE-- The scene and idea was invented by Saint Francis in the 13th century.

8. GIFTS-- Surprisingly, this is not a modern tradition. It came from the Romans who exchanged gifts on New Years Day. The exchange of gifts was originally shunned by the church.

7. BANNED-- An Act of Parliament in England in 1644 banned observance. It was to be a day of fast and market. groups like the Puritans condemned it, considering it a Catholic tradition.

6. MISCONCEPTIONS-- The Nativity did not happen and was based on the pagan sun god Mithras.

More to Come. --DaCoot

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