You can check out a new holiday video each day right here or check out our Advent Calendar each day.

link: Advent Calendar on the Net

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Christmas
Dec 17 : 08 days till Christmas

Did you know that the Roman’s celebrated a festival in mid-December that is believed to have inspired many of our Christmas traditions?

Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of “Jo Saturnalia!” the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae. The Romans would also deck their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles.

The Early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia. But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.

BTW – Saturnalia is still being celebrated today, December 17th.

Christmas is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, and is a central part of the winter holiday season. Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated worldwide by many non-Christians.

Santa Claus, a popular mythological figure, is also an important part of the celebration and is associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Join us for a new Did You Know holiday fact each day as we countdown to Christmas. This year Christmas Eve will be celebrated Friday December 24, Christmas Saturday December 25.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Saturnalia
An ancient festival and time of merriment celebrating the Roman god Saturn and believed by many to have influenced the early Catholic Church’s decision to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th.

The Roman’s celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of “Jo Saturnalia!” the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits)…*

*source: Christmas on the Net – History of Christmas

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Christmas
Dec 16 : 09 days till Christmas

Did you know that the character of Santa Claus is based on two Christmas legends: Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas?

Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of children, who generously gave gifts to poor and orphaned young ones. Father Christmas was the spirit of good tidings.

Did you know that Santa Claus can also trace his roots back to a Dutch character called Sinterklaas?

When the Dutch colonists came to America, they brought with them the legend of an austere bishop, dressed in a red costume and carrying a book inscribed with a list of all the good and naughty children. To this day in Holland, Sinterklaas delivers gifts to all the “good” children on December 5th, which is St. Nicholas’ Eve. The 5th is the primary gift-giving time of the Christmas season for many Europeans.

Christmas is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, and is a central part of the winter holiday season. Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated worldwide by many non-Christians.

Santa Claus, a popular mythological figure, is also an important part of the celebration and is associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Join us for a new Did You Know holiday fact each day as we countdown to Christmas. This year Christmas Eve will be celebrated Friday December 24, Christmas Saturday December 25.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

You can check out a new holiday video each day right here or check out our Advent Calendar each day.

link: Advent Calendar on the Net

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Christmas
Dec 15 : 10 days till Christmas

Did you know that the word Advent comes from the Latin term “adventur”, meaning arrival?

The Advent Calendar begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and counts down the 25 days until the holiday’s arrival. The tradition of counting down the days until Christmas began in the early 19th century in Holland, where families marked a chalk line on their front door each day before Christmas Eve.

BTW – Have you checked out our 2010 Advent Calendar? A new holiday video each day!

Christmas is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, and is a central part of the winter holiday season. Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated worldwide by many non-Christians.

Santa Claus, a popular mythological figure, is also an important part of the celebration and is associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Join us for a new Did You Know holiday fact each day as we countdown to Christmas. This year Christmas Eve will be celebrated Friday December 24, Christmas Saturday December 25.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

You can check out a new holiday video each day right here or check out our Advent Calendar each day.

link: Advent Calendar on the Net