Okay how about some interesting and useful trivia about Christmas.

It seems that most Christmas traditions are pagan traditions that celebrated the winter solstice (December 21st) which were later adapted by Christians and modern societies.

For example: Father Christmas
Historians have traced some of the current traditions surrounding Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, back to ancient Celtic roots. Father Christmas's elves are the modernization of the Nature folk of the Pagan religions; his reindeer are associated with the Horned God, which was one of the Pagan deities.

Go figure!

The History Channel usually runs a documentary every year that discusses the history of Christmas. Some interesting facts include: Christmas was once banned in the USA because it was considered an English holiday.

Galaxie started up their Christmas music today, so I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit.

Please NO Christmas bashing in this thread. This thread is for the spirit of Christmas and is for fun.

So, I will start.

Blessed in the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Hamilton Wright Mabi.

What is the name of the horse in the tune Jingle Bells?

I will give people a chance to answer before I post the answer.

Trick question: The horse is not identified in the lyrics ( 1 (http://www.carols.org.uk/jingle_bells.htm) / 2 (http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/jinglebells.html) ).

("Bob tail" is not its name - that's a reference to the horse's bobbed tail.)

If bob-tail is not what they call the horse, then where are the bells?

Have you ever been in a one horse open sleigh?

On the horse's bobbed (i.e., cut short, not non-existent) tail.

Bobtail refers originally to an animal—usually a horse, dog, or cat—whose tail is cut short or is naturally short... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobtail)

In the old days it was not called the "Holiday Season", the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church, the Jews called it "Hanukka" and went to the "synagogue", the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing in the street would say "Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukka" or to the atheists, "look out for the wall".

--Dave Barry

On the horse's bobbed (i.e., cut short, not non-existent) tail.

Bobtail refers originally to an animal—usually a horse, dog, or cat—whose tail is cut short or is naturally short... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobtail)

Eljay I completely understand what the meaning of bob-tail means.

If you ever spent any time on a farm with animals you would quickly realize that a lot of the animals do not really get named. Most get their names from their physical traits.

When I was young I used to bring one cat into the house with me on cold winter nights. I called her "Bob". She had her tail frozen off when she was a kitten.

Oh, bye the way. The bells are put on the harness, not attached to the horse directly.

Well, I actually thought that you were just asking a trick question, especially since a simple Google search brings up only one site - a Kindergarden curriculum site - that confirms your assertion.

But, hey, this is your thread...

What is the name of the horse in the tune Jingle Bells

I didn't know that song even gave the name of the horse in Jingle bells, also is it possible that "bob tail" could mean a horse tail braided short or tied up in a type of bun style?


Here is another one "12 days of Christmas"

All the symbols in this song have meaning

1) one the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me " A Partridge in a Pear tree"

anyone know what the partridge in the pear tree supposedly symbolises?

Jesus..

Where did the real St. Nicholas live?

...anyone know what the partridge in the pear tree supposedly symbolises?
Not ashamed to say I googled (http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/partridge_in_a_pear_tree.html):

In Middle English pertriche "partridge," was derived from Perdix, one of Athene's sacred kings, thrown in the seas from a tower, and carried to heaven in the form of a bird by his goddess. He was the partridge, she the pear tree.

Athena was worshipped in Boeotia as Once, the Pear Tree, mother of all pear trees. Perdix, whose name originally meant "the Lost One," was a form of Vishnu-Narayana, called Lord of the Pear Trees in his holy city of Badrinath in the Himalayas (from badri, "pear tree").

The pear tree had a feminine-masculine significance through Eurasia. It was also sacred to Hera, whose oldest image at Heraeum in Mycenae was made of pear wood. European peasants considered the pear a favorite "life-tree" for a girl.

In Russia pears were used as protective charms for cows. It seems that when the partridge in a pear tree was made into a Christmas carol the symbol of Christ was substituted for Perdix.

coded message

Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus

2 Turtle Doves = old and new testaments

3 French Hens = faith, hope and charity

4 Calling birds = four gospels

5 Golden Rings = first five books of the old testament

6 Geese a laying = six days of creation

7 Swans a swimming = seven gifts of the holy spirit

8 Maids a milking = eight beatitudes

9 Ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy spirit

10 Lords a leaping = ten commandments

11 Pipers piping = 11 faithful deciples

12 Drummers drumming = 12 points of doctrine.

Saint Nic ...


Well, way up North where the air gets cold!!There's a tale about Christmas that you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled.... ( The Beach boys) hehehe

St Nic alias Santa Clasus... North Pole

The original St. Nicholas lived during the 3rd century and hails from the village of Patara, which was originally Greek but is now in southern Turkey.

coded message

Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus
.
.
.

Thank you very much. I never knew there was a coded message. I just assumed the muppets were just singing about crazy stuff. ;)

By the way, and maybe this should be another thread, my favourite Christmas album is the Muppets Christmas. Animal!