Sharing six festive facts - do you / did you know any of them?
1. What the X means in Xmas
Some people don't like the word "Christmas" being shortened to "Xmas". But what they might not realise is that "X" actually represents the Greek letter "Chi", which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, "Χριστός".
2. The first Christmas card
A man named Sir Henry Cole is said to be behind the first printed Christmas card, like the ones we buy in shops and send to each other today.
In 1843 Henry Cole asked someone called John Callcott Horsley to design it.
It had the words A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You printed on it.
About 1,000 cards were made and cost a shilling each to buy - which was actually a lot of money at the time (around £3 in today's money).
3. Why is Advent called Advent?
Advent - the period leading up to Christmas - starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
The word Advent comes from the Latin "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming".
4. Jingle Bells isn't a Christmas song
The song, Jingle Bells, wasn't originally written as a Christmas tune. It doesn't even mention Christmas, Advent or Jesus!
That's because it was actually written for Thanksgiving.
5. Mince pies once contained meat
During early Victorian times mince pies used to be made from actual, real-life meat! It is thought this tradition dated back to Tudor times.
However, throughout the 19th Century, the traditional mince pie recipe started to develop into the one we know today, with fruit and spices - and no meat!
6. Where does epiphany come from?
Epiphany is the name given to the day 12 days after Christmas, on 6 January, when the wise men are said to have visited the new baby and Jesus was shown to the world for the first time.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning "show" or "reveal".
Well fact number one was new to me! How many of these facts did you know?
~ enjoy your day ~
Some people don't like the word "Christmas" being shortened to "Xmas". But what they might not realise is that "X" actually represents the Greek letter "Chi", which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, "Χριστός".
2. The first Christmas card
A man named Sir Henry Cole is said to be behind the first printed Christmas card, like the ones we buy in shops and send to each other today.
In 1843 Henry Cole asked someone called John Callcott Horsley to design it.
It had the words A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You printed on it.
About 1,000 cards were made and cost a shilling each to buy - which was actually a lot of money at the time (around £3 in today's money).
3. Why is Advent called Advent?
Advent - the period leading up to Christmas - starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
The word Advent comes from the Latin "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming".
4. Jingle Bells isn't a Christmas song
The song, Jingle Bells, wasn't originally written as a Christmas tune. It doesn't even mention Christmas, Advent or Jesus!
That's because it was actually written for Thanksgiving.
5. Mince pies once contained meat
During early Victorian times mince pies used to be made from actual, real-life meat! It is thought this tradition dated back to Tudor times.
However, throughout the 19th Century, the traditional mince pie recipe started to develop into the one we know today, with fruit and spices - and no meat!
6. Where does epiphany come from?
Epiphany is the name given to the day 12 days after Christmas, on 6 January, when the wise men are said to have visited the new baby and Jesus was shown to the world for the first time.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning "show" or "reveal".
~ enjoy your day ~
All the best Jan
...Latin is not a dead language!!!
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly I knew three of them - though not that Jingle Bells was designed at a Thanksgiving carol. I knew it wasn't about Christmas but...
ReplyDelete1 yes
ReplyDelete2 yes
3 yes
4 no
5 yes
6 yes
Thanks! A;; very interesting information about the Christmas season! Have a Happy December!
ReplyDeleteGreat facts! Xmas one is so interesting -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteFun to know! Thanks for sharing them, Jan.
ReplyDeleteI did not know # 2
ReplyDeleteInteresting Jan, you jerked my memory on the first Christmas Card.
ReplyDeleteI confess, I knew them all, but then I do delve deeply into the history and traditions of Christmas, possibly more than most.
ReplyDeleteI used to totally lose it over Xmas, until I discovered that X means what it does. Masses of Umble Pie eaten over that one!
Have a lovely day, Debbie
I would have never thought that the Christmas song Jingle Bells was written for the Hanukkah. Thanks for the explaination about the term "Xmas" :-)
ReplyDeleteI was also interested in your information about the Epiphany.
Enjoy the rest of this 1st week of December!
I knew I, 3 and 5, but will I remember the others?
ReplyDeleteNice to read. Have a nice day !
ReplyDeleteGood facts Jan :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these festive facts.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
Jan, I always enjoy these "did you know" posts. You share some really interesting information. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these new facts
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the X or the origin of Christmas cards. Very interesting!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had very strong feelings against the Xmas word. I am still uncomfortable with it because of how it was drilled into me as a kid and I don't think I've ever written it!
ReplyDeleteGreat info. I knew a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteInformative post for the season ~ thanks, ~ hugs,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I knew 1,4 5, and 6.
ReplyDeleteThese are really interesting. I think I'd heard why Xmas is called Xmas, but if you'd asked me I couldn't have told you why, until now! Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteI was roughly familiar with all except Epiphany!
ReplyDeleteI did know number 1, believe it or not. A pastor/friend told us that a long, long time ago. One I would never have dreamed is the one about Jingle bells.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about X or Jingle BELLS
ReplyDeleteMe parece muy interesante lo que nos cuentas y sí, conocía varias de ellas. Besos.
ReplyDeleteWow for the first time ever I knew all of these :)
ReplyDelete