Top 5 Christmas Myths You Didn't Know!

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What are myths? Half truths, lies or generalisations. In case of Christmas myths that we are discussing, they are more like urban legends; they grow over time and on word of mouth.

You would be surprised to know that many of the modern rituals we follow for Christmas are not traditional practices at all. This includes even the Santa Claus stories that have no connection with the original stories in the Bible. There is no harm in going forward with these Christmas stories that we have come to believe over a period of time but it is good to know their real origin.

Here are some of the most popular customs that actually turned out to be Christmas myths when analysed.

Top 5 Christmas Myths:

1. Who is Santa Claus? The good-natured fat old man who resembles a cute grandfather is actually not a biblical figure at all. You will not be able to find Santa Claus stories at all in the bible! Then who is it that puts gifts in the stockings you hang and comes down your chimneys? It is actually a legend of Sinterklass from Scandinavia (not North Pole) filtered down to Europe and America eventually. The character is based on Saint Nicholas who was a Saint of Myna, Turkey and loved children; he was the patron saint of the sailors.

2. Why is Santa Claus Fat? Santa Claus stories never explain why he is rolly polly because Saint Nicolas has always been represented as lean and typically Greek. Did it ever occur to you that Santa Claus is dressed inappropriately for a Saint? The modern concept of a chubby Santa Claus myth was created by illustrator, Thomas Nast. It is was only by the 19th century that this image of a fat Santa in red and white had become acceptable.

3. Christmas Tree Decoration: Another one of the infallible Christmas myths that never fails to surprise people. The Christmas tree is not actually a Christian symbol. In fact the Church had been against the concept of cutting trees for decoration. It is basically a German folk practice, probably predating
Christianity. The practice started getting acceptance only after the turn of the 19th century.

4. The Christmas Wreath: We no longer wear this wreath around our heads (unless you are an Olympics participant) but use it to decorate wall on Christmas. These green fir wreaths were actually worn by Roman emperors on victory marches and had nothing to do with Christianity per se.

5. Peppy Christmas Carols: If you are singing 'Jingle jingle bell' then you are not extractable being pious because all these peppy numbers are not actually Christmas carols. The Christmas stories are solemn ones where a world ridden over by sin is waiting for its savior. 'Silent night holy night' is a perfect example. Most other racy numbers are later additions.

These common Christmas myths are interesting to know about because Christmas like all other festivals has become commercial now; we often don't know where things began.