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No celebration is more intertwined in myth than is Christmas. Some Christmas "myths" turn out to be true and some "truths" turn out to be myths!
Jesus was born on December 25th
The custom of celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25 first occurred in the 4th century. This was a move on the part of Church fathers, who wished to have it forgotten that the December 25 festivities were of a rival pagan religion. The celebration of Christmas became a permanent fixture in the Western world in the year 337 under the rule of the Roman emperor Constantine.
Christmas Tree Myth
Nimrod, the grandson of Noah's son Ham, promoted nature worship in ancient Sumeria and Babylon. Myth links the Christmas Tree to Nimrod who was "cut down" like a tree by his uncle. The tree stumps as well as the new evergreen tree sprouting out from the seed or stump have become a symbol of his supposed resurrection as a deity.
The Myth that the Poinsettia Plant is poisonous to humans
This myth came about when the child of an army officer died of poisoning in Hawaii when it was incorrectly thought that the child had eaten a poinsettia leaf. The only symptoms of eating poinsettia leaves are vomiting!
“Xmas” Disrespectful - Myth
The myth that the word “Xmas” is an abbreviated form for Christmas is not true. X is a substitute for the Greek Chi which is an early church representation of Christ. There is no intention of disrespect. Some consider this a myth! |
