Background

Based on the Christian calendar, [Christ's Mass] is the feast of the nativity of Jesus (Dec. 25). In importance it ranks after Easter, Pentecost, and Epiphany and did not become a widespread celebration until the 4th century.

The customs of the yule log, carolling, mistletoe, and gifts at Christmas are an English tradition. 

Elsewhere in the world, gifts are given at other times such as Epiphany in Spain.

Christmas cards appeared c.1846.

Santa Claus:  The concept of a jolly Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) was first made popular in 19th-century in New York City.

The Christmas tree was a medieval German tradition.

The Midnight Mass is a familiar religious observance among Roman Catholics and some protestants.

An ancient Holiday

People all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th. But why is the Saviour's nativity marked by gift giving, and was He really born on that day?

History tells us the emergence of Christmas came from pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice.

Going back to ancient times, the middle of winter has long been a time of various celebrations around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man known as Jesus, early 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 the start of longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the start of the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, and that could take as many as twelve days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so that they did not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer that had been made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

In Germany people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of him for it was well-known that his nocturnal flights through the sky would help him decide which of his people would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to say inside. 

The Decline of Christmas

In the early seventeenth century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645 they vowed to rid England of decadence and as part of this effort, Christmas was cancelled.  However, by popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. 

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681 the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. 

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favour and this included  Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday in the US until June 26, 1870.

Christmas Returns

It wasn't until the nineteenth century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. They re-invented Christmas and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday?

The early nineteenth century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the "lower" classes often occurred during what had been the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council organized the city's first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This forced certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America. 

In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. These sketches featured a squire who invited peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. 

In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful and  warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended.  In fact, many historians agree that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition through implication in his sketches that they described the true customs of the season. 

      Ancient Rome and the celebration of Saturnalia