Christmas

Although Christmas is, traditionally, a Christian-based holiday, its origins and practices date back to Pagan rituals. In this article, you’ll learn about Christmas’s history, accompanying traditions, and adaptation into popular culture.

Christmas
An Overview of Christmas Origins, Traditions, and Evolution
In the United States, the holiday season begins at Thanksgiving and continues to the New Year, but many view this season as one holiday: Christmas. Even though it is a Christian-centered festivity, it is a holiday that is celebrated in all areas of the world. Besides from honored traditions, revelry, and religious ceremonies, Christmas has become a holiday with global connections, implications, and festivities. This article features an overview of Christmas traditions, history, and celebrations.

Origins
The first Christmas was believed to be celebrated sometime before seven and two B.C., which collaborated with the birth of Jesus of Nazareth on December 25th. However, while many believe that was his birth date, it is also speculated that December 25th became Christmas because it coincided with the ancient Roman solar festivals. The word Christmas is derived from the Greek “Christos” and then Latin “missa.” In 1038, the Old English first used the word Christes Maeses. Additionally, after the Anglo-Saxons invasion of Britain in seventh century, Christmas was called “geol.” Later generations would change to word to the now used “Yule.”

Speculation
From the very beginning, there has been speculation to the Christian-centered focus surrounding Christmas. In 1746, German Protestants argued that Christmas was a Pagan holiday, which, in fact, was the celebration of the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, and not the birth of the Son of God. However, these arguments still exist today, as many believe that Christmas is a non-secular holiday.

During the Roman Empire, season-appropriate holidays were celebrated throughout the year with large gatherings, which often gave thanks to a Pagan God or Goddess. Some examples include Elah-Gabal, a Sun God, and Mirthras, a soldier’s God. However, the winter solstice became the most revered and celebrated Roman tradition since its conception in the third century. During a solstice, the sun reversed southward and, as the Romans believed, could not be conquered due to this reverse action. It was not until the Christian religion became the dominating religion that this winter solstice was connected with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Religious Affiliations
In the Western World, the Nativity Story is one of the most widely known tales. As the story goes, the Angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her not to be afraid and that she would become pregnant, hence what became known as the immaculate conception. After marrying Joseph, the couple was order by the Roman ruler, Augustus Tiberius Caesar, as were all others at the time, to return to their hometowns to register as part of a Roman census. Although Mary was with child, the two traveled to Bethlehem from Nazareth. Once there, they could not find room at an inn, and were given shelter in a barn. As the story goes, Jesus of Nazareth was born in a barn in Bethlehem among livestock, Sheppard’s, and the arrival of the three kings. The three kings were sent by King Herod, who heard of the birth of another king, the Messiah, and wanted to know more. The three Kings however, did not report back to King Herod, as they were instructed to do. By this time, Jesus was believed to be about two years old. Infuriated, King Herod ordered that all males under the age of two be killed, therefore, ensuring that Jesus would be killed, and King Herod would be the only king. Again, an angel appeared to Mary, and she and Joseph were told to flee. The two fled to Egypt, where they stayed until King Herod died. From then on, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lived in Nazareth.

In Easter culture, Christians celebrate the birth of Christ as part of the Epiphany, which is held on January 6th every year. However, this does not correlate with the birth of Jesus, but, instead, his baptism. Earlier Easterners celebrated Christmas due to the death of Arian Emperor Valens in 378. Later, Constantine was introduced to the feast and continued to the tradition until Bishop Gregory of Nazianzus in 381. The feast was not celebrated again until 400, when John Chrysostom reinstituted the celebration into Eastern culture. However, Western cultures kept with the Christmas tradition long after it was instituted into civilization.

During the Middle Ages, the birth of Advent began. The forty days before Christmas were known as the forty days of St. Martin, and were celebrated as part of The Epiphany. The Italians attached traditions to the Advent season; however, there traditions became shortened and, eventually, became known as the twelve days leading up to Christmas and the modern “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

As the Middle Ages developed, Christmas traditions began to emerge. Caroling came out of the Yule Boar, which was a medieval feast that promoted dancing, singing, and merriment. Christmas wreaths, trees, and evergreen decorations were used in Europe. Additionally, the English began giving gifts on New Year’s, which, eventually, became another Christmas tradition. However, many Christians believed that the origin of gift giving stemmed from the Nativity story in which the three kings traveled to Jesus, bringing gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Christianity soon was denounced when the Pilgrims left England for religious freedom.

Because of their religious persecution, the Protestants condemned Christmas, and all the celebrations that went with it due to the aristocratic connotation it held. Not liking their blatant disapproval, the church of England persecuted the Puritans, which became one of the many reasons they chose to leave England for the New World. Once established, the Puritans banned Christmas in Boston from 1659 to 1681. However, this is not true in other states, such as Virginia and Pennsylvania , where Christmas was celebrated with great enthusiasm. During the Revolutionary War, Christmas was once again banned, as it was declared a British holiday.

The following years focused more on rebuilding the United States and less on celebrating Christmas. When Charles Dickens wrote his 1843 novel A Christmas Carol, Christmas became, once again, a heavily celebrated holiday. From that time forward, Christmas began to develop into the tradition-centered holiday that it is today.

Traditions
A Princeton affiliated website defines the word tradition as “an inherited pattern of though or action,” and/or “a specific practice of long standing.” Regarding Christmas, traditions have become as important as the celebration itself. In the following section, we’ll look at some of the most popular Christmas traditions, their origins, and their adoption into popular culture.

Santa Clause
As legend goes, on Christmas Eve, Santa loads up his sleigh, urges his eight reindeer, and travels throughout the world, delivering gifts to sleeping children by sliding down chimneys. Children leave Santa cookies and his reindeer carrots as fuel for their long journey. While this is the traditional conception of Santa Clause, his origin is much different.

As with many Christmas traditions, Santa Clause was invented by the western culture. In 1863, the first cartoon depicting Santa Clause was published in Harper’s Ferry. Santa Clause is also known as Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Pere Noel, or Saint Nicholas. Originally, Father Christmas was associated by the British with drunkenness during Christmas celebrations, and this tradition was also seen by the French through Pere Noel. The Italians refer to Le Befana, who does not arrive on Christmas, but the Epiphany (January 6th). In the American culture, Santa is added by elves and his wife, Mrs. Claus.

In Latin America, there is no Santa Claus; instead, gifts are delivered by the baby Jesus, placing focus on the religious background as opposed to the fabricated one. In countries, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany, Santa Claus is known as the Christkind. In other areas of Germany, gifts are delivered on December 6th by St. Nikolaus, who wears a bishop’s robe. However, in 1863, it was German-American cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who gave Santa the most recognized outfit he is known for today-the red suit. In the 1920s, American advertisers promoted this image, and it became engrained into popular culture.

Christmas Trees
The most popular Christmas decoration, supposedly, dates back to the Roman celebration of the Winter Solstice. The Pagans used evergreen trees when worshipping, and the British later coined the term “Christmas Tree” in 1835. Historically, the modern Christmas tree is a development of Germany, where it began in the 18th century, even though that many Germans and scholars argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century. From there, the Christmas Tree was adapted in England during Queen Victoria’s reign, and it was later brought to America by German immigrants.

Other Christmas Plants
A popular house plant and gift during the Christmas season is a Poinsettia, which became a tradition during the 19th century. Other holiday plants include, but are not limited to, holly, mistletoe, and amaryllis. All of these plants can be decorated with garland, outdoor foliage, or tinsel.

Decorations
It is not uncommon for individuals in Western cultures to decorate the outside of their homes with lights, plastic snowmen, and other Christmas-affiliated décor. Although a 1984 Supreme Court ruling declared a Nativity Scene constitutional, many towns and cities in the United States not only display Christmas decorations, but also display various other religious-centered holiday decorations, such as the Chanukah Menorah.

Other decorative emblems of Christmas comes with the wrapping of gifts. Often, Western cultures will wrap gifts in bright-colored, Christmas and winter themed paper. Additionally, Christmas cards, bearing all types of affiliations, are sent to family and friends. Those who believe in a Christian-based religion, often have miniature Nativity Scene, or managers, in their homes. On Christmas Day, a baby Jesus is placed inside, which commemorates the birth of Jesus. Although many keep their decorations up long past the holiday, decorations are, traditionally, to be removed by January 5th, which is the Twelfth Night of Christmas and, therefore, the end of the celebration.

Commerce
In America, the Christmas shopping season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving, which is known as Black Friday. However, in Canada, the shopping season begins directly after Halloween, peaking on November 11, which is known as Remembrance Day. Typically, almost all areas of retail experience their biggest revenues during the Christmas season, with Christmas Day being the lowest point of sales for the entire year. Other economic markets, such as the entertainment industry, make their highest profits with Christmas-themed movies, films, television shows, and/or music.


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