SEE BELOW, CAN YOU FIGURE OUT WHICH “FACT” ISN’T REAL?THE COMPASSSeason’s greetings! This week, see which national forests let you cut your own Christmas tree, discover why we mark Advent with treat-filled calendars, and learn how Christmas markets became a classic holiday tradition. Plus, winter is coming! See the trips that help you embrace it—or escape it.PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS DILLMANN, VAIL DAILY / APThese national forests let you cut your own Christmas treeCutting holiday trees from public lands (with a permit) could help make forests healthier.DON’T FORGET THE SAW!PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER GERCKE. PICTURE ALLIANCE / GETTY What is Advent—and why do we mark it with treat-filled calendars?The holiday, which gets its name from the Latin word for arrival, serves as a countdown to Christmas when Christians honor the birth of Jesus Christ.“ARRIVAL”PHOTOGRAPH BY LIANG SEN, XINHUA / EYEVINE / REDUX 10 dazzling holiday light displays around the worldThese seasonal displays brighten cities, salute time-honored traditions, and infuse busy corridors with holiday cheer.MILLIONS OF LIGHTSONE OF THESE FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREES ISN’T REAL. CAN YOU FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE? CLICK TO SEE IF YOU’RE RIGHT.A. CANADA IS BELIEVED TO BE THE HOME OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
B. IN GREECE, PEOPLE ONCE DECORATED CHRISTMAS BOATS RATHER THAN TREES
C. POOPING LOGS ARE A TRADITION FOR CHILDREN IN CATALONIACLICK TO SEE IF YOU’RE RIGHT!ZUMA PRESS / ALAMY / ACIBiblical stories of Jesus’ birth reveal intriguing clues about his timesIn their differing accounts of the first Christmas, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide important historical details about where and when Jesus was born.THE FIRST CHRISTMASGOOD READS1.How Christmas markets became a classic holiday tradition2.Winter is coming. These trips help you embrace it—or escape it.3.Why historians disagree about the origins of Boxing Day, the post-Christmas British holiday4.The new year once started in March—here’s whyPHOTOGRAPH BY RONAN O’CONNELLThese masked singers continue an Irish Christmas traditionFor centuries in Ireland, mummers would arrive at homes unannounced in an age-old holiday custom. Now, after a long lull, these disguised revelers are back in force.A RESURGENCEWHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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