Nice Claim: The legend of Santa Claus can be traced to a Turkish monastery.Facts: The legend of Santa Claus first began in 280 A.D. with a monk named St. Nicholas. Much admired for his kindness and benevolence, Nicholas, is said to have given away al...

While most modern nativity scenes, whether live performances or tabletop sets, display all the characters at one time, this is not how nativities began. Traditional nativity scenes followed the teachings of the gospels of Matthew and Luke with charac...

Inspired by the gospels of Matthew and Luke, nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus Christ. They have played a symbolic role in the lives of Christians for centuries, but St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first living version played out in Rome in 1224. These early nativities presented a simple depiction of the miracle birth with only a manger, an ox and a donkey.

FranceWhile Americans save the big feast for Christmas day, the French can't wait that long. Le Reveillon is a feast held after the Christmas Eve midnight mass (la Messe de Minuit) that serves to symbolically awaken participants to Jesus' birth, acco...

In 1670, the choir director at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany began handing out candy canes to reward his young singers for their good behavior during the living creche procession. Back then, candy canes were basically a pure white (no stripes!) su...

Tell the story of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Have 12 battery operated

candles, but only allow your child to "light "one each night. On

Christmas night, ceremoniously light the twelfth candle as a family to

signify unity.

Each country has its own way of celebrating Christmas. The holiday occurs in Australia's summer, and instead of a tree, a Christmas Bush with little red-flowered leaves is decorated.

In England, Father Christmas ...

We have to mention the poor misunderstood fruitcake! Many give a fruitcake loaf to friends and family as a symbol of the sweetness of the season. Packed with red and green cherries, nuts, pineapples, and anything candied, this little cake becomes so heavy that some jokingly refer to it as an edible paperweight.

Nog is an off-shot of grog, which refers to a rum drink. Records show that eggnog has been a part of the Christmas celebration since 1607 in the Jamestown settlement.

Russian Emperor Vladimir visited Constantinople, now Turkey, around the 9th century and, upon hearing the charitable stories of Bishop Nicholas, he made him the patron saint of Russia. The stories spread to the Laplands where people drove sleds pulle...