History of Christmas

As we all know Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. Christmas is a religious and sacred holiday. Two millennia people around the world have been observing Christmas with traditions and practices. The traditions and practices are religious and secular in nature. Christains celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Jesus is a spiritual leader of their religion. December 25th or Christmas has been a federal holiday since 1870.

How did Christmas start-

Christmas has been celebrated for a very long time. Before the man named Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the darkest days of winter. In Scandinavia the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21st through January. In the return of the sun fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. The families would then feast until the logs burn out. The fire and feast could last up to twelve days.

Saturnalia-

In Rome where winters are not as harsh like in the far north (Saturnalia) they celebrate Saturn the god of agriculture. In the beginning of the week leading to the winter solstice and then continues for a full month. Saturnalia was a hedonistic time when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For the whole month the slaves became in charge. Peasants were in charge of the city. The business’ and schools were closed so everyone could join in on the fun. Also during the winter solstice Romans would observe Juvenilia which is a feast honoring the children of Rome.

Is Christmas Really the Day Jesus Was Born?-

Easter was the main holiday in early Christianity years; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. Church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday in the fourth century. Jesus’ date of birth is never mentioned in the bible. There is some evidence that says Jesus was born in the spring. It is believed that the church chose December 25th in an effort to adapt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. The Saturnalia festival was first known as the Feast of the Nativity. The feast spread to Egypt by 432 and then to England by the end of the sixth century.

When Christmas was Cancelled-

In the early 17th century the way Europe celebrated Christmas was changed due to a religious reform. Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England; they vowed to rid England of decadence and cancelled Christmas. When Charles the second was returned by popular demand so came the return of the popular holiday. The Pilgrims were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell when the Pilgrims came over to the United States in 1620. Christmas was not a holiday in early America as a result of the Pilgrims coming into the United States. The celebration of Christmas was outlawed from 1659 to 1681. Everyone having fun with Christmas spirit got five shillings (a British coin).

Washington Irving Reinvents Christmas-

The Americans did not start to embrace Christmas until the 19th century. Americans changed Christmas from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered holiday of peace and nostalgia. The 1800’s piqued American interest in Christmas. The 19th century was a period class of conflict and terminal. During the 19th century unemployment was high and gang rioting often occurred during Christmas. In 1828 the first New York City police force was instituted because of a Christmas riot. The Christmas riot caused certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.