Christmas Chwizz

#1. (Nothing)

#2. Correct Date – True AND False
Jesus was not born in the early winter BUT the Church decided to hold a religious service – “Christ’s Mass” – on December 25 to counter the predominant pagan celebrations

• The actual date of Jesus’s birth is unknown – shepherds “watching their flocks” would happen only during lambing time – in the spring 
• The year also is unknown – Herod died in 4 BCE – Luke mentioned Quirinius was the Roman governor – he started in 6 CE
• “Star” – there is no known astronomical event – Halley’s Comet appeared in 12 BCE, Chinese astronomers reported a comet in 5 BCE
• The calendar has changed: Hebrew calendar was used in Palestine – Julian calendar in use when Jesus was born – the Gregorian or Modern calendar started in 1582 – 
• The earliest December 25 reference is 236 CE – Roman emperor attended a feast in 361 – December 25 became a US federal holiday in 1870
• Some eastern churches celebrate on January 7 because they still use the Julian calendar

Pagan midwinter celebrations:

• Solstice – return of the sun, longer days – metaphor for rebirth 
• Roman: Brumalia – Saturnalia: involved gift giving
• Sun gods – “Sol Invictus” (around 220 CE)
• Jewish: Hanukkah – 8 days of light to celebrate the rededication of the Temple (around 150 BCE)
• Scottish: Hogmany – New Years Eve – gift giving – from Norse invaders
• Norse/Germanic: Yule or Yuletide 
• Catholic Church countered with Christ’s Mass on December 25 – with feasts beginning around 350 CE

#3. There is no “0” year – the year after 1 BCE was 1 CE

#4. Santa Claus – All of the above

• St Nicholas – 4th century CE – Bishop of Demre in Lycia (modern Turkey) – generosity towards children and the poor – patron saint of archers, sailors, children and pawnbrokers
• Dutch – Sinterklaas – anglicized to “Santa Claus” – had helpers – Dec 6 – gift-giving
• English – Father Christmas – 1600’s – gifts to children Christmas Eve
• Germanic – Odin – Yule Holiday 1200’s – 8-legged flying horse (e.g. reindeer) – left gifts to kids
• “A Visit From Saint Nicholas” – 1823, Troy, New York, Clement Moore

#5. The Days of Christmas – False

• Boxing Day (England) – December 26 or 27 – gift boxes to service workers
• The “12 Days of Christmas” are December 25 through January 5 – then Feast of the Epiphany (“appearance” “manifestation”)
• Now it’s 28 days – from Black Friday

#7. Santos – False
Nativity or Crèche (cradle)

• St Francis of Assisi is credited with the first (1223) – tried to focus on worship rather than secular materialism
• Living nativity in a cave, but silent – Pope blessed the exhibit – grew from Italy
• Statues replaced people/animals – but now living nativity scenes are coming back
• Components are a mash up of Matthew (Wise men, star, gifts) and Luke (angels, shepherds, manger)
• Santos are carved statuettes of saints (primarily in New Mexico)

#8. Farolitos – True AND False

• Luminaria are traditionally small bonfires used to light the way for the Holy Family during Las Posadas (search for shelter) in the Southwest
• Farolitos are paper lanterns – a brown paper lunch bag with a candle nestled in sand – which are called “Luminaria” everywhere but Santa Fe, New Mexico

#9. Wise Men – False (but not for the reason you are thinking about)

• The Bible does not say how many wise men visited Jesus – the three gifts that are mentioned is the source of the “count”
• But the Bible does say they visited Jesus some time after his birth in a house [Matt 2:11]

Bonus: Origin of the Christmas Tree

• Started in eastern Europe in 1441 and northern Germany in mid-16th century
• “Tannenbaum” means “fir tree” – “Weihnachtsbaum” would be “Christmas Tree”
• Decorations included fruits, nuts, candles, paper flowers

Bonus: Origin of Christmas Cards

• 1843 – London – commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, drawn by John Horsley – family drinking wine
• 1875 – America – Louis Prang
• Declining in favor of electronic – Hallmark now offers E-cards.