**Where does the word "Christmas" come from?
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4 j- I0 N9 s0 z6 L Christmas = Christ - Mass = "The Mass of Christ"% f3 w [ H$ ]2 [
Christ = Jesus Christ" ?$ ]6 ?3 |5 s; `
"Mass" = Roman Catholic religious Church service of "mass".2 P6 J7 e! {* v2 b6 `
0 z- l" A8 W4 A 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". s& X* Y: c5 Z- z( B' |
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** 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.' L( g W# l6 b9 {
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Then we changed to days starting at midnight. Now the "eve" is eveningof the previous day. So "Christmas Eve" is the day before Christmas. * |0 n5 X5 y# Y5 X
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** What does the phrase "Boxing Day" mean?
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3 `+ C# S# B! s/ c3 ? The day after Christmas day when presents are given to extended family and friends. * y; V# e, Y/ e A$ u: j
3 U! ~3 |6 |5 f# r; D! S/ E+ n 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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** Why does the word "Bethlehem" refer to?
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+ M! V5 }9 H( K A small town in Judea near Jerusalem, where King David was born and the birthplace of Jesus., C% r* W t. {% `: ?
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** What are the Christmas songs called?
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Christmas Carols - Carols, song used in celebrations and dances, written for and sung at Christmas. |