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
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The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
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The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
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Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
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Robins on cards were a joke 150 years ago when postmen wore red tunics and were named after them.
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Although now mostly vegetarian, in Victorian times, mince pies were made with beef and spices.
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Nearly 60 million Christmas trees are grown each year in Europe.
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In Greek legend, malicious creatures called Kallikantzaroi sometimes play troublesome pranks at Christmas time. In order to get rid of them, salt or an old shoe is burnt. The pungent burning stench drives off, or at least helps discourage, the Kallikantza
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