Discover the truths behind common Christmas myths, from the debated birth date of Jesus to the origins of Santa’s red suit:
Myth – Jesus was born on Christmas day
The exact date that Jesus was actually born was not stated anywhere, so there is no certainty of the date. The date was set as some historians believe it was because that date fell during the Winter solstice which was already an established pagan tradition that was later Christianised
Myth – There were Three Kings
There were no kingsand were never referred to as kings in the bible – they were known as Magiwhich are wise men. It is notknown that there were 3 as the number was never mention, ancient scripture just says there were more than one, it was assumed there was 3 as the gifts they were have said to have brought were gold, frankincense and Myrrh.
Myth – There was no mention of the inn keeper in the bible
His part in the Nativity story is a complete fiction. Some scholars believe that the Greek word Kataluma has incorrectly been translated as ‘Inn’ when in fact it means ‘guest room’. The scholars also believe that Mary and Joseph were travelling to see family in Bethlehem, but when they arrived, they discovered the room in a family members house was already being used.
Myth – Father Christmas wears red because of Coca-Cola
It has been thought by many that Father Christmas wears red because Coca-Cola bought the rights to him. This is in fact a myth. In 1870, American cartoonist Thomas Nast, a German immigrant began drawing Santa in the outfit we see today, red coat, red hat with white fur lining with a buckled belt around his waist.
In 1930 when Coca-Cola came to feature Father Christmas in their ad campaign, the image of a jolly man in a red suit and beard was already established in peoples minds because of the original drawings from Thomas Nash.
Myth – Writing Xmas is a modern way
The shorthand version of writing Christmas that you either love or hate, but writing Xmas has been written for centuries. The first letter of Christ in Greek translates to X which is a representation of the word Christ for hundreds of years.
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