SEasons knowledge
-Origins of christmas-
By Dee Madden
Christmas is a time of joy and family, despite its early celebrations being loud and rowdy with lots of alcohol, much like Mardi Gras. But where did Christmas come from?
In the bible, there is no date specified for Jesus’s birth, though many suspect it was in spring due to context clues, so the date to celebrate it was chosen by Roman Emperor Constantine in 336. It was made official a few years later by Pope Julius I.
There is speculation on why the 25th, with many theories that make sense. A very early Christian tradition said that the day when Mary was told that she would have baby Jesus was on March 25th, making his birth December 25th. Others say it was due to the celebrations taking place, Such as Yule, Saturnalia, and others for the Winter Solstice.
Many puritans were against it, due to many of the traditions coming straight from pagans and their celebration of Yule. In the early 17th century they even banned it with help from Oliver Cromwell. And in Boston, anyone found celebrating from 1659-1681 were fined five shilling. However, in the Jamestown settlement, Christmas was celebrated without incident.
Christmas Candles were used during ancient winter solstice celebrations as a way of remembering that spring would soon come. And Christmas Carols came from pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced around stone circles (The word carol originally meant to dance to something). Christmas Trees were originally outside, decorated for many different reasons, whether to worship their deities or to offer shelter to wood sprites or spirits. Other traditions from Paganism include the Yule log, gift-giving, stockings, and mistletoe.
Of course not all of christmas is of pagan origin. The legend of Santa comes from a monk named St. Nicholas who was known for his piety and kindness(Though the Norse Pagans have a similar idea with Red Thor, who flew in a sleigh led by flying goats), and holly has sharp edges, symbolic of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. The red berries represent blood. And candy canes of course, though there is speculation on whether the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus, or the shape of a shepherd's cane.
So this season, spare a thought for the diverse people who made Christmas what it is today, and remember to be kind, whether you believe in Santa or not.
In the bible, there is no date specified for Jesus’s birth, though many suspect it was in spring due to context clues, so the date to celebrate it was chosen by Roman Emperor Constantine in 336. It was made official a few years later by Pope Julius I.
There is speculation on why the 25th, with many theories that make sense. A very early Christian tradition said that the day when Mary was told that she would have baby Jesus was on March 25th, making his birth December 25th. Others say it was due to the celebrations taking place, Such as Yule, Saturnalia, and others for the Winter Solstice.
Many puritans were against it, due to many of the traditions coming straight from pagans and their celebration of Yule. In the early 17th century they even banned it with help from Oliver Cromwell. And in Boston, anyone found celebrating from 1659-1681 were fined five shilling. However, in the Jamestown settlement, Christmas was celebrated without incident.
Christmas Candles were used during ancient winter solstice celebrations as a way of remembering that spring would soon come. And Christmas Carols came from pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced around stone circles (The word carol originally meant to dance to something). Christmas Trees were originally outside, decorated for many different reasons, whether to worship their deities or to offer shelter to wood sprites or spirits. Other traditions from Paganism include the Yule log, gift-giving, stockings, and mistletoe.
Of course not all of christmas is of pagan origin. The legend of Santa comes from a monk named St. Nicholas who was known for his piety and kindness(Though the Norse Pagans have a similar idea with Red Thor, who flew in a sleigh led by flying goats), and holly has sharp edges, symbolic of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. The red berries represent blood. And candy canes of course, though there is speculation on whether the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus, or the shape of a shepherd's cane.
So this season, spare a thought for the diverse people who made Christmas what it is today, and remember to be kind, whether you believe in Santa or not.