The History of the Celebration of Christmas

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Thought I would post this as we approach the Christian Christmas season. It is interesting how many pieces of different cultures and celebrations have been molded into what we consider the modern Christian celebration:

In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out.

There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.

In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer’s bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment.

The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.

New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ.

In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity.

Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today’s Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honoured on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus.

Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers.

Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.

The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

http://www.christmas-time.com/cp-hist.html

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OG, are there any other sources about the actual birth time of Esa (Jesus Christ):as:, because I read some where that he was born in spring.

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Interesting article, OG, thank you for posting.

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Re: The History of the Celebration of Christmas

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Ohioguy: *
In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th.

The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.
[/QUOTE]
Interesting read Ohioguy. Thank you.

So, is January 6, the more exact birthday? Any additional research on that?

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Faisal, and Minime,

I have heard both January and Springtime.

Most sources use the reference "Shepards watching over thier flocks by night" to conclude that it really must have been springtime, as desert temperatures in January would have been much too cold to be sleeping outdoors.

Strangely we Christians don't really care much about the precise day December 25th suits us just fine....

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So Christmas is technically a religious holiday. Are there any special church services or something? Are there any specific religious obligations one has to fulfill on Christmas day?

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Actually there is the season of Advent leading up to Christmas, I'll try to find a good description and post it.

Christianity is somewhat different, in that there are no obligations, most observances are voluntary. Our Church has a number of activities over the course of December, but the big Christmas service is generally on the eve of Christmas. At our church it is a candlelight service, with candles lit and held by the congregation. We also usually have communion, which is the highest of Christian traditions. Communion is the taking of a morsel of bread, and a sip of wine (we do grape juice) signifying the body and blood of Christ. This is to signify the acceptance of Christ in your life, and was a tradition started at the last supper between Christ and his apostles.

In our Church all Christians are welcome to accept communion, but within Catholic churches however communion is limited to Catholics. Visitors, (Muslims for example) do not have to partake in the communion, or any of the services they are uncomfortable with, they can simply stand and sit at the appropriate times. Generally the congregation moves to the front of the church to accept the bread and wine from the minister, however really big churches can have communion passed among the pews by the ushers.

Most churches have multiple services, like one at 7pm, one at 9pm and and a midnight service. Usually the families with little kids come early, while a lot of the college kids get home from school late but make it to the midnight services.

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Good read OG :k:
Now while on the subject, could you please shed some light to thr rituals of the christmas tree / Santa Clause / misletow etc,just curious

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Raindance,

some of the mistletoe/Christmas tree/Holly references are touched on above, as was Saint Nicholas.

The tree and Santa Clause as I remember is basically a Germanic/Scandanavian tradition predating the Christimas celebration. Once again, these things were initially "Pagan" sorts of seasonal celebrations that were consolidated into Christianity over the centuries. As the centuries went by, people did not remeber that the "Christmas Tree" was originated in the celebration of the "Winter Solstice", actually an astronomical event, all they remebered was how good an Evergreen tree smelled inside the house!

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From my understanding -

Christmas Tree - Germanic tribes worshipped oak trees, decorating them for the winter festival. St. Boniface cut down a big oak tree, that was central to the worship of his tribe, but a pine tree grew in its place. It was offered as a symbol of Christianity, which they began decorating for Christmas.

Mistletoe - Druids thought mistletoe fell from heaven and grew onto a tree, representing the joining of heaven and earth and God's reconciliation with mankind. A kiss under mistletoe symbolizes acceptance and reconciliation with God.

Santa Clause - Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of children and famous for giving gifts to children. His feast day became a holiday in Holland (Dec 8th?). English colonists in New York (formerly the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam) called him "Santa Claus" because they couldn't pronounce the Dutch name. The English began celebrating the feast day on Christmas.