**Where does the word "Christmas" come from?' ^. l1 Z* p3 [$ K7 s5 ]; W
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Christmas = Christ - Mass = "The Mass of Christ"
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"Mass" = Roman Catholic religious Church service of "mass".
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' C& ]. P- C* v The word "mass" probably comes from the last words of the service of"mass", which are "you are dismissed" = "missa est" in Latin. From theLatin word "missa" comes the English word "mass"
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$ t! i- L; w8 m. I4 r5 Z ** Why is December 24th called "Christmas Eve"?
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In old times, days started at sunset. So the evening of the day, the "eve" happened first.
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1 t$ }0 d: A6 e. [3 e6 k% y: A; x1 c Then we changed to days starting at midnight. Now the "eve" is eveningof the previous day. So "Christmas Eve" is the day before Christmas. " n0 e' J9 }* U- w$ t- j
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** What does the phrase "Boxing Day" mean?
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& i: A$ |7 C- E9 c8 i The day after Christmas day when presents are given to extended family and friends. ! k% D6 u. @% O& G2 Y
* A0 f: D+ @4 R! T Possibly dating from the Middle Ages when the householder would givepresents to the servants and tradesmen. It is a public holiday in someCommonwealth countries.
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( p5 R; n3 Y1 D% @) q! A I ** Why does the word "Bethlehem" refer to?
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7 J0 O; \( b1 v" }8 {. I1 L A small town in Judea near Jerusalem, where King David was born and the birthplace of Jesus.' D" Z3 F) {# g# V+ w! s3 b1 @
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** What are the Christmas songs called?, _3 J' A. s& J# G9 z8 l/ U& A
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Christmas Carols - Carols, song used in celebrations and dances, written for and sung at Christmas. |