Christmas Myths and Legends: 6 Stories That Shaped the Holiday

One of the most adored Christmas traditions in America is decking out a Christmas tree. Most people think it's been around since forever, but actually, the Christmas tree is a bit of a newcomer on the holiday scene.

It all started with German immigrants bringing the custom to the U.S. in the mid-18th century. Yet, even 100 years later, the idea hadn’t quite, ahem, branched out. In fact, it was more scandalous than festive. The New York Times even ran an editorial against it in the 1880s. And Teddy Roosevelt? He had some strong words about “wasting good timber” on Christmas trees when he was president in the early 1900s. Luckily for tree-lovers, this holiday habit proved evergreen.

Despite Christmas's widespread appeal among both Christians and non-Christians, there are still many myths and little-known facts surrounding the holiday. From its religious origins to the story of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and even the iconic evergreen Christmas tree, these elements have long histories often misunderstood or embellished over time. Here are 10 enduring Christmas myths, finally revealed and explained.

1. Christmas Is the Most Important Christian Holiday

It might surprise many-even Christians - to learn that Christmas is not actually the most important holiday in Christianity. Despite the festive decorations, colorful packages, and even Santa Claus himself, Christmas doesn’t quite measure up to Easter in religious significance. And it’s not just a matter of comparing the Easter bunny to Santa.

While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the son of God, Easter marks a more pivotal event: Jesus's resurrection from the dead. Christians view Easter as a profound victory, not just for Jesus, but for all humanity, as his resurrection is said to promise eternal life to all who believe in him. So, while Christmas brings joyful celebrations, Easter represents the very heart of Christian faith.

2. Jesus Was Born on Dec. 25

If Christmas celebrates Jesus’s birth and falls on December 25, does that mean Jesus was born on that day? Surprisingly, no. The Bible gives no specific date or even month for Jesus’s birth, and historical evidence suggests December 25 is unlikely. Here’s why.

The Bible notes that shepherds were in their fields at the time of Jesus's birth. December is cold in Bethlehem, and fields typically lack growth, so shepherds would have sheltered their flocks indoors. Additionally, Mary and Joseph’s journey was to participate in a census, which historians believe likely took place in September or October - after harvest but before harsh winter travel conditions set in.

In fact, while Easter has roots in early Christian celebrations, Jesus's birth didn’t become an official holiday until around the fourth century. The church selected December 25, partly to shift focus from winter solstice festivals celebrated by pagans. Most scholars now suggest that Jesus was likely born in late September, based on other Biblical details and contextual clues.

3. Germans Always Put Pickle Ornaments on Their Trees

Ever noticed glass pickle ornaments in stores and wondered why? A popular tale says it’s rooted in an old German tradition: on Christmas Eve, parents would hide a glass pickle ornament deep within the tree’s branches. The next morning, the first child to find the pickle would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas, while the first adult to spot it would earn good luck for the year. Sounds charming, right?

Unfortunately, this tale is mostly a myth. Many Germans report never hearing of such a tradition, and it doesn’t align with the country’s holiday customs. For example, St. Nicholas typically visits German homes on December 5, not Christmas Eve, and German children usually open their presents on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day.

So where did the pickle story come from? That remains a mystery. Germany has produced glass ornaments since the 16th century, and by the 19th century, artisans were crafting fruit- and nut-shaped ornaments. But that’s as close as we get to the origins of the Christmas pickle.

4. Santa Claus, St. Nicholas and Father Christmas Are All the Same

This one’s tricky. Though St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus are distinct figures, they’re often seen as versions of the same character.

St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Turkish bishop known for his generosity, particularly leaving money in people’s stockings secretly overnight. He passed away on December 6, which became St. Nicholas Day, celebrated by children leaving out stockings or shoes for “St. Nick” to fill with small treats like fruit, nuts, and candy.

By the 16th century, Europeans were moving away from venerating saints but kept the gift-giving tradition. St. Nick evolved into "Father Christmas," a figure of holiday revelry who first appeared in 15th-century writings and was known for his merry-making. Meanwhile, in the U.S., St. Nick transformed into Kris Kringle. Both Father Christmas and Kris Kringle delivered gifts on Christmas rather than December 6. When Dutch settlers arrived in the U.S., they brought tales of Sinterklaas, which soon morphed into the Americanized “Santa Claus.”

By the 20th century, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and Kris Kringle had merged into the familiar image of a jolly, round-bellied, white-bearded man who delivers gifts on Christmas Eve. However, in some European countries, St. Nicholas is still celebrated separately on December 6, with children leaving out shoes or stockings the night before in his honor. So while Father Christmas and Santa Claus are generally seen as one and the same, St. Nicholas remains distinct in some traditions, especially in cultures where his legacy as a generous saint endures.

5. Boxing Day Is for Boxing Up Gifts for Return

Many people have heard of Boxing Day but misunderstand its origins. Some believe it’s a day to box up unwanted gifts and return them, but that’s not the case.

Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26, originated in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages. It was a day when churches opened their alms boxes (collection boxes) and distributed the contents to the poor. Servants also had the day off to spend Christmas with their families, as they often worked for their employers on Christmas Day.

Over time, the holiday evolved. Leading up to World War II, Boxing Day became a time for blue-collar workers - like milkmen, butchers, and newspaper carriers - to visit their clients and collect Christmas tips. Today, Boxing Day is observed in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, often with sporting events like horse races and soccer matches. The connection to charity boxes has faded, and the origins of the name remain somewhat mysterious.

6. "Jingle Bells" Is a Christmas Song

"Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way" - it’s one of the most famous Christmas songs ever, right? Not quite! Though it’s now a holiday classic, it was originally written as a Thanksgiving song. Surprising, isn’t it?

The song, originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh," was composed by James Lord Pierpont in the 1850s. It wasn’t about Christmas at all but rather celebrated the sleigh races held each year around Thanksgiving in Medford, Massachusetts. Over time, “Jingle Bells” became associated with Christmas, but its origins lie in the thrill of those winter races, not in the holiday season.