Did you know 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, therefor "X-Mass"?
Did you know although the Western word celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December, His actual birthdate is unknown?
Did you know holiday known as Boxing Day developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off ? As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.
Did you know the Father Christmas (Santa Claus) figure is based on Saint Nicholas (270 - 310AD), the patron saint of children ?
Did you know Mistletoe was held sacred by ancient peoples? It was forbidden to fight in the presence of mistletoe. Eventually the tradition carried through as the Christmas slogan "Peace and Joy unto all men.'
Did you know the first commercial Christmas and New Year's card was designed in London, England in 1843?
Did you know Christmas carols were banned between 1649 and 1660 in England by Oliver Cromwell who thought that Christmas should be a solemn day?
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Ok that was pretty useless...
Now for the main goal of this message:
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL GFY'ers... !
