Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images Images
|
The word Christmas means 'Mass of Christ', later shortened to 'Christ-Mass'. The even shorter form 'Xmas' -- first used in Europe in the 1500s -- is derived from the Greek alphabet, in which X is the first letter of Christ's name -- Xristos.
The exact day of Christ's birth is a matter of debate. The story goes that in Nazareth, Israel, lived Joseph and Mary. Mary told Joseph of a dream one day in which an angel told her that she had been chosen to bear the son of god.
As the couple reached Bethlehem, they could not find an inn. They took refuge in the nearby caves, as Mary was close to delivering the baby. Joseph cleaned one of the stable rooms and next day Mary gave birth to a son who was named Jesus, as told by the angel in her dreams.
Back
Next
Also see: Diwali, Bollywood Style
Tell us what you think of this slide show
E-mail this page to a friend
|
