late O.E. Cristes mæsse , from Christ (but retaining the original vowel sound) + mass. Written as one word from mid-14c. Father Christmas first attested in a carol attributed to Richard Smart, Rector of Plymtree (Devon) from 1435-77. Christmas tree first attested 1835 in Amer.Eng., from Ger. Weihnachtsbaum . Christmas cards first designed 1843, popular by 1860s.