Amazing facts about Christmas songs, others that will get you into the festive spirit: The Christmas season is fast approaching and we are so excited and ready to be catapulted into the festive spirit! The music, the food, the love, and peace and joy that we feel during this season!
Nobody is likely surprised to learn that Christmas is about much more than just donning festive hats, drinking, eating, and exchanging gifts with loved ones.
Below are facts about some Christmas song and other things that will kick you into the festive spirit;
“Jingle Bells” was Originally a Thanksgiving Song
James Lord Pierpont composed the song “One Horse Open Sleigh” for his church’s Thanksgiving celebration in the middle of the 19th century. It was reissued in 1857 under the well-known “Jingle Bells” name that we all know and adore. It continues to be one of the most popular Christmas melodies.
“Silent Night” is the Most Recorded Song
“Silent Night,” another well-known Christmas song, is thought to have undergone the most adaptations of all. The most recorded Christmas song in history, Silent Night, has had over 733 different versions since 1987, all of which are protected by copyright.
The term “Xmas” Dates Back to the 16th Century
As early as 1100, “Christianity” was written as “Xianity.” Christmas was first known as “Xtemmas” in 1551, and it was then abbreviated to “Xmas”.
St, Nicholas and the Santa Claus Idea
St. Nicholas, a saint who was renowned for being more giving than joyful, is where the concept of Santa Claus originated. St. Nicholas didn’t have a beard and didn’t dress in crimson. The Christian bishop gave his inheritance to the needy and freed women from oppression, which led to the development of that tradition much later, in the fourth century. His English moniker, originally Sinter Klaas in Dutch, eventually became Santa Claus.
Christmas Wasn’t Initially Celebrated on December 25
While it is custom to celebrate Christmas on December 25 each year, history has forgotten the precise day when Jesus Christ, whom we honor, was born. Some historians have noted that, despite the widespread belief that Jesus was born in the spring, the date was originally chosen because it was on the same day as the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which shared gifts in honor of Saturn (the agricultural god).