Religious facts

Religious facts about Christmas

Christmas is the most significant festival of Christianity and celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. However, religions celebrate this reason all over the world. People gather with friends and family to celebrate on that date. Each one is respecting their different traditions.

There are several theories about how all of December 25 was celebrated that refer to the possible dates of the birth of Jesus.

According to some, it has its origin in the ancient celebration of the Sun God’s annual birth on the winter solstice of the Romans, adopted by the Catholic Church in the third century AD to allow the conversion of pagan peoples.

As time went by, Western civilization adapted Christmas to modern times, taking away, in a way, the religious connotation and adding a strong commercial component with the figure of Santa Claus and his gifts for children.

Religious facts about Christmas

·       More than 23 million people celebrate Christmas

Around 7 billion people live in the world. It is estimated that 1 in 3 celebrates Christmas, representing a total of 23,460,148 million people.

·       The history of the Christmas lottery

Did you know that the typical Christmas lottery was held for the first time in Cádiz in 1812? Furthermore, it has never been canceled, not even during the Civil War. Since 2002, the draw is in euros, making it last about 10 minutes less than when the prizes were sung in pesetas. If you have not yet bought a Christmas lottery, you may be interested to know that the ending with the worst luck is 1, since it has only come out eight times in the history of the lottery.

·       Almond nougat has no cholesterol

One of the most popular sweets at Christmas time, along with polvorones, are nougats and, especially, Jijona nougats. The main ingredients in the latter are honey, sugar, and almonds, of course! A composition that turns nougat into a food rich in mineral salts, proteins, and vitamins A and E. And without a hint of cholesterol!

·       Do you know the Witch Befana?

In Italy and some other countries, in the early morning of January 6, it is not the Magi who distribute gifts, but the witch Befana. Legend has it that the Wise Men told the witch to go with them to worship the Child Jesus when they were on their way to Bethlehem, but she decided not to accompany them. Shortly afterward, he repented and since then, he flies over the sky with his broom on the Twelfth Night to leave gifts for good children and coal for those who have misbehaved.

·       Do you cut more couples at Christmas?

Thanks to huge amounts of data analyzed by Facebook, we know that two weeks before Christmas is one of the most common dates of the year when couples decide to put an end to their relationship. On the contrary, Christmas day itself is one of the least popular to end a relationship.

·       The Christmas star originated in the Philippines

Among the most famous Christmas symbols is the announcing star, which we place at the top of the tree or in our manger. But did you know that this tradition was imported from the Philippines? Their torches are made that illuminate the entrance of the houses in the form of five-pointed stars. A symbol that has spread around the world.

·       Do you know how many bubbles are in a glass of champagne?

Champagne is the quintessential Christmas drink. When you serve it in tall and elongated glasses, the most suitable to enjoy it, 2 million bubbles are generated. These do not stop rising to the surface, creating a cloud of bubbles that give the champagne its characteristic sparkling touch.

·       Lucky spiders for Christmas

Although it may seem like a little decoration according to the Christmas dates, in Poland, fir trees are decorated with spiders and cobwebs. This tradition is due to a legend that tells how a spider wove a blanket to shelter the Child Jesus. For this reason, in Poland, spiders symbolize prosperity and bonanza during Christmas days.

·       When to remove the Christmas decorations?

After all that is enjoyed during the Christmas holidays, between meals, family gatherings, decorations, and Christmas carols, it is difficult to remove all the ornamentation when these dates are over. Disassemble the Nativity scene, turn off the tree lights, remove the centerpieces. All this can become a mountain. Perhaps for this reason, in Sweden, they keep their fir trees decorated until 20 days after Christmas.

·       The origin of Santa Claus

The character of Santa Claus was inspired by a Greek Christian bishop named Nicholas of Bari. He lived in Turkey in the 4th century in the bosom of a wealthy and wealthy family but known for his generosity with the poorest.

De Bari was left without his parents at an early age and at 19 he decided to give all his wealth to those most in need and go to Mira with his uncle to dedicate himself to the priesthood. He was so loved for his gift of people that he was made the patron saint of Greece, Turkey, and Russia.

Many years later, her figure was adopted by modern culture to make her the miracle worker of Christmas, who travels all the chimneys globally, distributing gifts for the whole family.