Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Christmas
While you're wrapping gifts and preparing to feast with family and friends, ponder these bizarre Christmas facts
A Very Merry Un-Birthday?
Contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn't actually mention a specific date for Jesus' birth. In fact, most historians believe he was likely born in the spring, hence the Bible's description of shepherds herding animals. But in the fourth century, when the Catholic Church decided to recognize Jesus' birth as an official holiday, Pope Julius I chose December 25th for the "Feast of the Nativity." That the date happened to coincide with the pagan festival known as Saturnalia must have been pure coincidence.
View the full list for "Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Christmas"Latest Lists
Most Popular »
- Israel vs. Hizballah: Drumbeats of War
- Super-Earth: Astronomers Find a Watery New Planet
- Under U.S. Pressure, Pakistan Balks at Helping on Afghan Taliban
- America's Most Wanted Teenage Bandit
- Church Group Attacks Christmas Commercialism
- Study: European Muslims Feel Shut Out
- Why Home Churches are Filling Up
- Proposed 'Botox Tax' Draws Wide Array of Opponents
- Rattled by Iran, Arab Regimes Draw Closer
- The Pentagon Prepares for a Missile Attack from 'Iran'
- Majority U.S. Population Non-White by 2050
- Church Group Attacks Christmas Commercialism
- Super-Earth: Astronomers Find a Watery New Planet
- Singapore: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours
- Tax Reform Means Working Moms Do Less Housework
- Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill: Inspired by the U.S.
- Study: European Muslims Feel Shut Out
- Why Home Churches are Filling Up
- On Scene: With Uganda's Anti-Gay Movement
- Proposed 'Botox Tax' Draws Wide Array of Opponents
RSS