# 1
A very common saying amongst children a hundred years ago was "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings".
This was made famous in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" starring James Stewart.
# 2
Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem during which a special eight-branched candelabrum is slowly lit over eight days.
# 3
In Massachusetts in 1659, a law was passed that stating
"Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or in any other way, shall be fined 5 shillings."
# 4
In England in 1644 the observance of Christmas was forbidden by an act of Parliament.
# 5
On Dec. 26, 1583, the Glasgow Kirk Session put 5 persons to public penance for keeping the 'superstitious day called YULE'."
# 6
In 529 AD, the Emperor Justinian decreed that no one should work on the festival of Christmas.
# 7
Holly, mistletoe, the Yule log and the wassail bowl are all relics of pre-Christian times.
# 8
In the 5th century the Western Church ordered the 'Mass of Christ' to be forever celebrated on the day of the old Roman feast of the Birth of Sol (the Sun).
# 9
From December 17th to the 23rd the Romans ornamented their temples and homes with green boughs and flowers for the Saturnalia.
# 10
The Roman poet Virgil wrote about the decorating of pine trees in honor of Bacchus, the god of drinking and revelry.
