Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. The 25th day of December was chosen to mark His birthday by the Roman Catholic Church years after His death.

Source

In 1836, Alabama became the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday.

Source

The image of Santa Claus flying his sleigh began in 1819 and was created by Washington Irving, the same author who dreamt up the Headless Horseman.

Source

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads though bird droppings.

Source

It is believed that decorating Christmas trees originated in 16th century Germany when Christians would bring decorated trees into their homes.

Source

Oklahoma was the last U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1907.

Source