MAC: Christmas Facts & Trivia
By Joe DeFeliceDid you know …
MAC is getting into the Christmas spirit, and this week’s column will include some holiday facts and trivia from the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Why do some people use “Xmas?” The answer might surprise you. No, it is not because people are too lazy to write Christmas. In the Greek language, used by the early church, the “C” for Christ or Christos was the letter “chi” or “x” (pronounced “kye).” Christ’s name was often represented with the first two letters of the name “Christos” — chi and rho, which looks like an “x” with a small “p” on the top.
Where did Jiminy Christmas come from? “Jimmy Christmas” or “Jiminy Christmas” is a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664 when it was first recorded as “Gemini,” a twist on the Latin phrase “Jesu Domini.” The name of the Walt Disney character Jiminy Cricket was probably based on this phrase.
Why do we decorate trees? Evergreen trees have been a traditional symbol of winter festivals for thousands of years, well before Christianity. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special significance for people who lived in cold winter climates.
* Ancient people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. Some believed that evergreens kept witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illnesses away.
* Romans decorated evergreen trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their sun god at the festival of Saturnalia.
* Christians started using evergreen as a symbol about 400 years ago in Germany as a sign of everlasting life with God.
Where does “Godspeed” come from? This dates back to the 15th-century song sung by English ploughmen on Plough Monday, the first Monday after the 12th day, the end of the Christmas holidays. Before farm laborers went back to the fields, they dressed all in white and went door to door drawing a plough and soliciting “plough money” to spend on a last celebration. The song lyric “Godspeed the plough” expressed a wish for success and prosperity and was soon shortened to just “Godspeed.”
Why do we give gifts? Ever wondered how the custom of giving Christmas gifts originated? No, it’s not invented by the department stores.
* The ancient Romans gave each other gifts on the calends (first day) of January, and the practice spread throughout the Roman Empire.
* Christians give gifts at Christmastime or on the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Magi or Wise Men to Jesus. The “Magi” (a Greek word) refers to learned priests of an ancient Persian religion called Zoroastrianism. Today we’d call them astrologers. Back then, astronomy and astrology were not differentiated. The Magi would have followed the patterns of the stars religiously.
* Many cultures believe in a “gift giver.” Many countries, especially some in Europe, celebrate Santa Claus or Father Christmas on St. Nicholas Day on December 6 (not December 25). In the Netherlands, children leave clogs or shoes out on December 5 (St. Nicolas Eve) to be filled with presents. In parts of Germany, they believe that it is the Christkind, an angel who comes on Christmas Eve with gifts. In parts of Italy, there’s an old witch called Befana. In Spain, children await Three Kings’ Day on January 6 (Epiphany).
There are only two states that do not observe Daylight Saving Time: Arizona and Hawaii.
MAC’s favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, made in 1946, was a flop when it first came out, leaving movie director Frank Capra $525,000 in debt to the RKO movie studio.
This winter, the U.S. Energy Information Agency has predicted a 14 percent increase in natural gas prices; a 7.3 percent increase in electricity prices; and a 42 percent increase in propane prices in the Northeast. Nationally, heating oil prices are expected to increase by 33 percent.
According to mass.gov, 51.8 percent of Massachusetts homes heat with utility gas; 16.1 percent heat with electricity; and 25.9 percent heat with fuel oil or kerosene.
The Canton Select Board recently voted to raise the annual fee for a yard waste sticker from $10 to $20. The yard waste recycling facility is located at 99 Pine Street.
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. –Bill Vaughn
This is all for now folks; see you next week.
Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=78996
Posted by Joe DeFelice
on Dec 17 2021. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion.
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