2008 Woodie Awards
Myths of the season uncovered
Ashley Moreland/Online Reporter
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: in Review(s)
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Christmas, seen as both a religious and secular celebration, is the most widely celebrated holiday in western society. Naturally, many myths surround it. What's true and what's not?
Was Jesus really born on December 25? Officially it is undetermined, but it is unlikely.
The date of the holiday dates back to the fourth century when the Christian church picked the date to rival the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Also, according to the gospel of Luke, "shepherds watched their flocks by night." Shepherds only watch their sheep night and day during the spring.
We tend to associate three wise men to the men who came bearing gifts to Jesus at the manger; however, the Bible does not specifically state that there were three. What it does say is that the men came with three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Because there were three gifts, many people just assume that there were three men.
More about the religious side of Christmas can be found in "Case for Christmas." In this book Lee Stroble, former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune, uncovers the facts about the baby boy in the manger.
Santa is probably associated with the most myths in the secular tradition, but he actually originated within the church. His character comes from Saint Nicholas Myra, the bishop of Asia Minor around the fourth century. The legend is that he brought gifts to children who properly said their prayers.
Contrary to popular belief, the modern image of Santa Claus was not created by Coca Cola. The jolly, round man in the red suit first appeared in the 19th century. "Santeclaus" was first written about in a poem published in 1821 by a printer from New York named William Gilley. Coca Cola simply made Santa more popular.
Santa's reindeer, especially Rudolph, are also a popular symbol of Christmas. The myth behind Rudolph is that he was created for Montgomery Ward department stores; this is true. In 1939 the company created the story as a promotional gimmick.
Another myth about the reindeer is that two of them where originally named Dunder and Blixum, not Donner and Blitzen. This is also true. The original names can be found in the first version of "The Night Before Christmas," printed in 1823.
There are many more myths and legends tied to Christmas. These and others can be elaborated upon at .
Was Jesus really born on December 25? Officially it is undetermined, but it is unlikely.
The date of the holiday dates back to the fourth century when the Christian church picked the date to rival the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. Also, according to the gospel of Luke, "shepherds watched their flocks by night." Shepherds only watch their sheep night and day during the spring.
We tend to associate three wise men to the men who came bearing gifts to Jesus at the manger; however, the Bible does not specifically state that there were three. What it does say is that the men came with three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Because there were three gifts, many people just assume that there were three men.
More about the religious side of Christmas can be found in "Case for Christmas." In this book Lee Stroble, former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune, uncovers the facts about the baby boy in the manger.
Santa is probably associated with the most myths in the secular tradition, but he actually originated within the church. His character comes from Saint Nicholas Myra, the bishop of Asia Minor around the fourth century. The legend is that he brought gifts to children who properly said their prayers.
Contrary to popular belief, the modern image of Santa Claus was not created by Coca Cola. The jolly, round man in the red suit first appeared in the 19th century. "Santeclaus" was first written about in a poem published in 1821 by a printer from New York named William Gilley. Coca Cola simply made Santa more popular.
Santa's reindeer, especially Rudolph, are also a popular symbol of Christmas. The myth behind Rudolph is that he was created for Montgomery Ward department stores; this is true. In 1939 the company created the story as a promotional gimmick.
Another myth about the reindeer is that two of them where originally named Dunder and Blixum, not Donner and Blitzen. This is also true. The original names can be found in the first version of "The Night Before Christmas," printed in 1823.
There are many more myths and legends tied to Christmas. These and others can be elaborated upon at .
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