4.  The word Christ stems from the Middle and Old English word Christ meaning the anointed one, the Lord’s Anointed.

5. It is borrowed from the Latin Christus’ and from the Greek Christos also meaning the anointed one. The Greek is a translation of Hebrew mashiach meaning anointed of the Lord or Messiah. In the word Christmas, the suffix -mas evolves from the Old English word maesse meaning festival, feast day or mass.

6. In ancient times, holly was considered magical and sacred because of its shiny leaves and ability to bear fruit in winter. It was often believed that if you hung holly over your bed, you would have good dreams.

8. People give fruit baskets as gifts. Cranberry sauce is part of many Christmas meals. At the turn of the last century, good children would receive their only orange of the year as a Christmas gift.