Popular belief holds that 3 wise men visited Bethlehem from the east bearing gifts. However there is no mention in the bible about the number of wise men who visited. Three gifts were brought - gold, frankincense and myrrh, but names commonly attributed t
101
The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
The world's tallest Xmas tree at 221ft high was erected in a Washington shopping mall in 1950.
82
Christmas trees become popular in the UK from 1841 when Prince Albert erected a tree in Windsor Castle following a German tradition. Fir trees have been decorated at Christmas time in Germany since the 8th century.
20
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113
Many theologians estimate that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 but sometime in September between 6BC and 30AD.
42
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Black Friday in the UK is the Friday before Christmas. Instead of shopping, many people get very drunk!
10