The history behind Christmas

Christmas centers around the birth of Jesus Christ who was born more than two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. However, some historians claim that Jesus was not born in the winter months but in the springtime when shepherds were herding their sheep. So, the question becomes, how did the birth of Jesus Christ become a winter holiday? 

According to History.com, centuries before Jesus walked the earth, Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many people rejoiced during the winter solstice when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. 

In the Norse countries, this celebration was known as Yule. A large log would be lit in the fireplace representing warmth with sparks representing the animals that would be born in the coming spring. The log would burn for 12 days while people feasted on the cattle they slaughtered. A giant tree would be dragged into homes, to prove that life persisted in these dark times. 

In Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated during the winter solstice, a month-long celebration of food, and drink. People decorated their homes with wreaths and other greenery. Instead of working, Romans spent Saturnalia gambling, singing, playing music, feasting, socializing, and giving each other gifts while making sacrifices to the gods. On Dec. 25, it was believed that the sun god Mithra was born. 

When Christianity started in the first century in Rome, it centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the fourth century, religious leaders started recognizing the importance of Jesus' birth. With the uncertainty of when Jesus was born, pagan Rome decided since they celebrated Mithra’s birthday on Dec. 25, it made sense to celebrate Jesus’ birth on the same day. In A.D 336., Dec. 25 was declared as the Feast Day of the Nativity. The Christian church, knowing they could not outlaw the pagan tradition, adopted many of the traditions from Saturnalia. 

Christians started decorating the evergreen trees with apples symbolizing the Garden of Eden. Eventually, Christmas ornaments such as glass balls would take the place of the apples. Holly, used as a mid-winter decoration, became a symbol of the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head at the time of his crucifixion. 

As Christmas spread to England, the holiday became a riotous carnival with parties in the street with many becoming unruly, and peasants taking from the wealthy whatever they wanted. In the 17th century, Christmas became a more religious celebration in England when the Puritans had overthrown the king. To rid England of all that was decadent they outlawed Christmas in 1652. However, the English continued to celebrate in secret until 1656 when the people demanded that the king be returned to his throne and Christmas was restored. 

The first recorded Christmas celebration in America was from Spanish explorers in 1539 near what is now known as Florida. It is also recorded that in 1607, in Jamestown, Virginia, Christmas was celebrated. This is where eggnog was first introduced into the Christmas tradition. When Puritan separatists arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620, Christmas was outlawed and anyone exhibiting anything Christmas would be fined. Puritans believed that celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ was a sign of decadence and a disgrace to Christianity. In 1661 in Massachusetts, the ban on Christmas was repelled; however, objections from the Puritans remained strong. By the end of the 1620s, Christmas was established in the legislative calendar of the Virginia colony. Slowly English traditions spread throughout the colonies as more settlers arrived from the different parts of the world. 

By the mid-18th century, Christmas had become relatively mainstream, it still wasn’t officially recognized as a holiday by the time of the Revolutionary War. Trying to separate from England, Christmas fell out of favor. In 1789, Congress went so far as to hold its first session on Christmas Day. With very few holidays populating the American calendar by the 19th century, Christmas was the one holiday that would bring the new nation together. Wanting to start new traditions away from English traditions, Americans would invent their own Christmas, changing it from the riotous carnival holiday to the more family-centered tradition we know today. Early American settlers thought decorating a tree in a home at Christmas time was an oddity. The first record of displaying a tree in America was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania; although decorated trees had been a tradition in many German homes in 16th century Germany. By the 20th century, many Americans were decorating Christmas trees with homemade ornaments. 

Congress declared Christmas a federal holiday in 1870. By that time, traditions such as the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, and gift-giving were traditions in America. In 1882 the first Christmas tree that was lit by electric lights was seen in New York City. Before that, candles had been used to light trees. Outdoor light displays started in 1927 when it was safe to have bulbs outside. 

For Christians, Christmas continues to center around Jesus Christ, who they believe is the savior of the world. However, Christmas has become a more secular holiday, celebrated by non-Christians in much of the same way with decorating, gift-giving, caroling, baking, and gathering with family and friends throughout the holiday season. From all of us at The Morgan News, Merry Christmas!  λ