Christmas phrases typically seem in our crosswords even exterior of the season. The phrase Christmas can generally be clued as ‘Noël’, ‘Yuletide’, or ‘Current-giving event’.
Noël is a French phrase from the Latin nātālis that means ‘a beginning’. ‘Natale domini’ is one other Latin phrase associated to nātālis, that means ‘beginning of the Lord’. The given title Natalie derives from natale domini and is a well-liked title for infants born on or close to Christmas.
‘Yuletide’ is an old style time period used to explain the interval of a number of days round and together with Christmas Day. It’s regarded as a late Center English time period and isn’t as standard anymore. ‘Xmas’ is claimed to return from the Outdated English geōla, initially a reputation of a pagan feast lasting 12 days; associated to Outdated Norse jōl, Swedish jul, Gothic jiuleis. It’s maybe extra recognisable because the xmas log – each the scrumptious dessert and the literal log of wooden used to ceremonially start the Christmas seas.
‘Current-giving event’ is certainly a favorite mind-set and speaking about Christmas. Within the Christian custom, giving presents on Christmas is symbolic of the presents given to child Jesus by the Three Smart Males, however it additionally has rather more historical roots. In historical Rome, reward giving occurred throughout the winter solstice in December, which was celebrated throughout the Saturnalia vacation. There’s additionally the custom of the Twelve Days of Christmas, often known as Twelvetide, the place Christmas Day is taken into account the primary day of Christmas and it finally ends up on January 5 – or, Twelfth Night time.
From all of us at Lovatts, we hope your gift-giving season is stuffed with pleasure (and possibly one or two journal subscriptions). Merry Christmas!
