The lyrics of the 16th-century Christmas hymn "God rest ye merry, gentlemen" read: "Remember that Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day. Let nothing depress you." It's a lovely carol that most modern homes would recognize. Christ was probably not born on December 25, and not all Christians worldwide commemorate his birth on that day, in addition to the fact that the Christmas season does not always seem peaceful. For a while, Boston even outlawed Christmas! That requires some explanation.
Therefore, although many people may believe that the history of Christmas can be explained in a straightforward and short manner, the truth is far more nuanced. Thankfully, we're here to take a closer look into the origins of this well-known holiday.
Must Read: What are some unique Christmas traditions from around the world that you find interesting?
What Is Christmas's Real History?
The typical "go-to" response is that Jesus Christ's birthday was the first Christmas. Indeed, we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas (see how the words "Christ" and "Mass" are combined), but according to History.com, this particular event did not start until the fourth century. Easter was the primary Christian holiday prior to then.
According to History.com, the winter solstice, the mid-December celebration Saturnalia for the deity of Saturn, and the birthday of the sun god, Sol Invictus, were all observed by the people of third-century Rome on December 25. There are a few different theories as to why Christians chose that day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Why was December 25 selected as Jesus' birthday?
One theory holds that St. Hippolytus was the first to identify December 25 as the day of Christianity, as recounted by Inside the Vatican. He accomplished this by claiming that Jesus was born on December 25 in his commentary on the book of Daniel, which was composed about 205 AD. However, experts disagree that this date was the true day of Jesus' birth.
History.com states that Pope Julius I later decided on December 25 "in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival."
Read Also: How many Christmas trees are in the Great Hall each year?
Why was December 25th selected as Jesus' birthday?
One theory holds that St. Hippolytus was the first to identify December 25 as the day of Christianity, as recounted by Inside the Vatican. He accomplished this by claiming that Jesus was born on December 25 in his commentary on the book of Daniel, which was composed about 205 AD. However, experts disagree that this date was the true day of Jesus' birth.
History.com states that Pope Julius I later decided on December 25 "in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival."
When Did People Start Celebrating Christmas?
Christmas was celebrated for the first time on December 25, 336 AD. The date was selected because it falls nine months after the Annunciation, which commemorates the day of the spring equinox, March 25, when Christ was conceived in the Virgin Mary's womb. It didn't make sense for them to celebrate sooner just because many others chose the new Dec. 25 as the Christmas celebration, as the time between the spring equinox and Christmas Day had and still has importance.
Believers from Russia, Greece, and Egypt are among the Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used by the majority of Western Christianity. They continue to celebrate Christmas on this day. In theory, these Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 and the Adoration of the Magi and the Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds on January 6. The main focus of these feast days is attending church and spending time with loved ones over sumptuous feasts.
When Did America Ban and Cancel Christmas?
According to History.com, Puritan immigrants did not celebrate Christmas because they thought it was too ostentatious when they arrived in 1620. They said "there was no scriptural basis for commemorating Christmas." According to History, Boston actually outlawed Christmas celebrations between 1659 and 1681!
You May Also Like: What are some traditional Christmas dishes enjoyed in your culture or region?
When Did the United States Declare Christmas to Be a Holiday?
Approximately 200 years later, in 1870, Christmas was officially declared a government holiday.
Christmas Celebrations Can Take Place Long After December 25.
We should keep in mind that for many Christians, Christmas Day is just one day in a twelve-day celebration while we examine topics like church history and the church calendar. Can you see why Christmas involves so little rest? What a feast for the religion! The season has also become much more commercialized in recent years. However, Christmastide, which begins after Advent and ends somewhere in January, is essentially a liturgical season.
On January 6th, the Day of Epiphany (celebrating the Wise Men who visited Jesus), or the Sunday closest to this day, some Christians consider the season to be over. Others commemorate the presentation of Jesus in the temple for 40 days, culminating in Candlemas, which falls on February 2.
Why Are There So Many Different Christmas Seasons?
It's complicated to examine the history of almost anything. Early Christians observed a number of feast days to commemorate God's incarnation, from the annunciation until his resurrection. Along with other community members, they also commemorated seasonal holidays like the spring and winter solstices.
In an effort to distance themselves from Britain and demonstrate their respect for the Bible, religious adherents who were immigrating to America for a while did not celebrate Christmas at all. Recall that it wasn't until 1870 that Christmas was declared a government holiday.
Today, we use Christmas trees, yule logs, and figgy pudding to commemorate the festive season. Advent calendars, family baking days, carol singing, gift-giving, and the use of Santa Claus and Elf on the Shelf are some ways we could introduce the holiday gradually. Even if they are intricate, the majority of our Christmas customs and symbols have a rich history—beautiful, significant tales.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) is a constant throughout the history of Christmas, despite the fact that the days and customs have evolved throughout time.
Pirkko Koskitalo
The lyrics of the 16th-century Christmas hymn "God rest ye merry, gentlemen" read: "Remember that Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day. Let nothing depress you." It's a lovely carol that most modern homes would recognize. Christ was probably not born on December 25, and not all Christians worldwide commemorate his birth on that day, in addition to the fact that the Christmas season does not always seem peaceful. For a while, Boston even outlawed Christmas! That requires some explanation.
Therefore, although many people may believe that the history of Christmas can be explained in a straightforward and short manner, the truth is far more nuanced. Thankfully, we're here to take a closer look into the origins of this well-known holiday.
Must Read: What are some unique Christmas traditions from around the world that you find interesting?
What Is Christmas's Real History?
The typical "go-to" response is that Jesus Christ's birthday was the first Christmas. Indeed, we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas (see how the words "Christ" and "Mass" are combined), but according to History.com, this particular event did not start until the fourth century. Easter was the primary Christian holiday prior to then.
According to History.com, the winter solstice, the mid-December celebration Saturnalia for the deity of Saturn, and the birthday of the sun god, Sol Invictus, were all observed by the people of third-century Rome on December 25. There are a few different theories as to why Christians chose that day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Why was December 25 selected as Jesus' birthday?
One theory holds that St. Hippolytus was the first to identify December 25 as the day of Christianity, as recounted by Inside the Vatican. He accomplished this by claiming that Jesus was born on December 25 in his commentary on the book of Daniel, which was composed about 205 AD. However, experts disagree that this date was the true day of Jesus' birth.
History.com states that Pope Julius I later decided on December 25 "in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival."
Read Also: How many Christmas trees are in the Great Hall each year?
Why was December 25th selected as Jesus' birthday?
One theory holds that St. Hippolytus was the first to identify December 25 as the day of Christianity, as recounted by Inside the Vatican. He accomplished this by claiming that Jesus was born on December 25 in his commentary on the book of Daniel, which was composed about 205 AD. However, experts disagree that this date was the true day of Jesus' birth.
History.com states that Pope Julius I later decided on December 25 "in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival."
When Did People Start Celebrating Christmas?
Christmas was celebrated for the first time on December 25, 336 AD. The date was selected because it falls nine months after the Annunciation, which commemorates the day of the spring equinox, March 25, when Christ was conceived in the Virgin Mary's womb. It didn't make sense for them to celebrate sooner just because many others chose the new Dec. 25 as the Christmas celebration, as the time between the spring equinox and Christmas Day had and still has importance.
Believers from Russia, Greece, and Egypt are among the Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used by the majority of Western Christianity. They continue to celebrate Christmas on this day. In theory, these Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 and the Adoration of the Magi and the Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds on January 6. The main focus of these feast days is attending church and spending time with loved ones over sumptuous feasts.
When Did America Ban and Cancel Christmas?
According to History.com, Puritan immigrants did not celebrate Christmas because they thought it was too ostentatious when they arrived in 1620. They said "there was no scriptural basis for commemorating Christmas." According to History, Boston actually outlawed Christmas celebrations between 1659 and 1681!
You May Also Like: What are some traditional Christmas dishes enjoyed in your culture or region?
When Did the United States Declare Christmas to Be a Holiday?
Approximately 200 years later, in 1870, Christmas was officially declared a government holiday.
Christmas Celebrations Can Take Place Long After December 25.
We should keep in mind that for many Christians, Christmas Day is just one day in a twelve-day celebration while we examine topics like church history and the church calendar. Can you see why Christmas involves so little rest? What a feast for the religion! The season has also become much more commercialized in recent years. However, Christmastide, which begins after Advent and ends somewhere in January, is essentially a liturgical season.
On January 6th, the Day of Epiphany (celebrating the Wise Men who visited Jesus), or the Sunday closest to this day, some Christians consider the season to be over. Others commemorate the presentation of Jesus in the temple for 40 days, culminating in Candlemas, which falls on February 2.
Why Are There So Many Different Christmas Seasons?
It's complicated to examine the history of almost anything. Early Christians observed a number of feast days to commemorate God's incarnation, from the annunciation until his resurrection. Along with other community members, they also commemorated seasonal holidays like the spring and winter solstices.
In an effort to distance themselves from Britain and demonstrate their respect for the Bible, religious adherents who were immigrating to America for a while did not celebrate Christmas at all. Recall that it wasn't until 1870 that Christmas was declared a government holiday.
Today, we use Christmas trees, yule logs, and figgy pudding to commemorate the festive season. Advent calendars, family baking days, carol singing, gift-giving, and the use of Santa Claus and Elf on the Shelf are some ways we could introduce the holiday gradually. Even if they are intricate, the majority of our Christmas customs and symbols have a rich history—beautiful, significant tales.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) is a constant throughout the history of Christmas, despite the fact that the days and customs have evolved throughout time.