Christmas: Traditions and History

The Origins of Christmas

So, what even is Christmas? Why do we bother? For some, it’s a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. Different Christian denominations celebrate it in various ways. However, long before that, mid-winter meant party time.

For those who know me, I live about ten minutes from Stonehenge. This site has a long history and significance around the summer and winter solstice. If you travel about three miles north, you’ll come to Durrington, famous for the Durrington Walls archaeological site. It’s thought that the original builders of Stonehenge lived there. Evidence from Durrington Walls shows major feasting around the solstice, with large fires and lots of animal bones, some with meat still attached. If Stonehenge acted as a calendar for Neolithic humans, it’s unsurprising that the winter solstice would be a time for celebration.

With the birth of agriculture and farming, humans enjoyed a sense of abundance and food security. The winter solstice marked mid-winter when days began to get lighter, and springtime was in sight. The darkest parts of winter would be over, and surely a renewed sense of hope would spread.

Fast forward a few millennia, and you’d find the Romans celebrating Saturnalia. This festival honoured the god Saturn around the winter solstice. Saturnalia began around December 17th and involved a week of debauchery. It included all social classes and even role reversals where slaves mocked their masters. The overall celebratory mood meant that drinking, gluttony, and unrestrained sexual freedom were common.

Saturnalia acted as a safety valve for society, releasing social pressures built up over the year. The poet Martial reserved his most “spicy” works for this week, making such content permissible. The festivities became so wild that when Christianity began to spread, Emperor Theodosius I issued the “Theodosian decrees” between 389 and 391 AD, banning all pagan activities. It’s perhaps no surprise that in the Christian nativity, Mary is depicted as a virgin to move away from the old pagan sense of excess.

Further north, Germanic and Scandinavian cultures celebrated their own winter festival called Yule. Like Saturnalia, it revolved around the winter solstice and involved merriment and wild celebration. By the 4th century AD, Christianity was firmly entrenched across much of Europe. These mid-winter festivals were so integral to life that the church needed to find something to replace them. The birth of Christ became the obvious choice, even though there’s nowhere in the Bible stating Jesus was born on December 25th or even in December at all. For many in Europe, Epiphany is the most important celebratory date, where Jesus Christ was revealed as the son of God to the three wise men (or Magi), typically celebrated on January 6th.

Whichever reason was chosen, the drinking, feasting, gambling, singing, dancing, and general merrymaking of a good old-fashioned mid-winter festival continued. This was much to the dismay of the more pious members of society. It was about time the fun stopped.

In the 17th century, England was briefly a republic ruled by parliament and Oliver Cromwell. The Puritan-led parliament banned Christmas outright in 1647, knowing that Christmas had its pagan roots and no strict biblical basis. They wanted Christmas to be a day of piety and sober reflection. Anyone caught celebrating Christmas in any overt way could be punished. The ban was lifted when the monarchy was restored in 1660, but it took some time for Christmas to be openly celebrated once more.

The Puritan disapproval of Christmas spread even to America, where anti-Christmas sentiment lasted longer. Christmas was banned in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Anyone caught celebrating would be fined or worse. Even so, during this time, evidence shows that people still celebrated Christmas but in a more confined and reserved way. While the Puritans’ attempt to ban Christmas ultimately failed, the era cast a long shadow, causing Christmas to fall out of fashion in English-speaking countries for some time. What was needed was a revival.

Charles Dickens and the Victorian Revival

It’s often a misconception that Charles Dickens, with the publication of his novella A Christmas Carol, invented Christmas as we know it. That isn’t strictly true, but it’s clear that Dickens, along with various other factors, led to its revival and ultimately shaped what Christmas has become in English-speaking countries today.

A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, but let’s start a little earlier. In 1800, Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England, decorated a large yew tree with candles and sweets for a children’s party at Windsor Castle. This was based on a tradition she loved from her home country of Germany. From then on, it became a tradition among the royal family and other wealthy families to decorate a tree at Christmas. This practice wasn’t widely adopted just yet, but it highlights that in the first half of the nineteenth century in England, most people were at least aware of Christmas, even if it wasn’t celebrated widely.

In 19th-century Germany, things were quite different. Christmas celebrations had already evolved with the rise of the middle class, shifting from public religious observances to private, family-centric affairs focused on traditions like the decorated Christmas tree and gift-giving on Christmas Eve. With the merging of the German and English royal families and the industrial revolution resulting in a growing English middle class, by the time A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, Christmas in Victorian England was already starting to look different.

A Christmas Carol, a novella about the miser Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation after a series of ghostly visits on Christmas Eve, was an instant hit. It carried a powerful message that Christmas should be a time of kindness, generosity, and, most importantly, family. Despite the Germanic influence, Christmas celebrations in England were still quite stale at this point. Most workers didn’t even get the day off (Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, was expected to work on Christmas Day, for example). Even when it was celebrated, it tended to be a more reserved, grown-up affair.

A Christmas Carol redefined Christmas as a season of compassion. One historian noted that Dickens “sought to reform the conscience of Christmas” and turn a formerly rowdy celebration into a more wholesome family holiday. This was aided by the fact that by the mid-nineteenth century, the birth rate in England stood at around 35-37 live births per 1000 people (compared to around 11 now). Coupled with a growing middle class, there were many children and families around.

Just a few years later, in 1848, this trend of a family-friendly Christmas was bolstered when an image of Queen Victoria sitting around a decorated Christmas tree with her children and German-born husband, Prince Albert, circulated in Illustrated London News. This popularised the Christmas tree tradition even further, placing her children right alongside her in the celebrations. By the time of Dickens’ death in 1870, Christmas was firmly entrenched as a beloved annual holiday in Britain and America.

The Evolution of Christmas Traditions

As Christmas continued to evolve, new traditions emerged. The figure of Santa Claus became more prominent in the 19th century. This character, derived from various sources, including Saint Nicholas and folklore, began to take on the jolly persona we recognise today.

The image of Santa as a plump, cheerful man in a red suit was popularised in the United States by the 1820s. The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," also known as "The Night Before Christmas," published in 1823, played a significant role in shaping the modern image of Santa. This poem depicted Santa as a magical figure who flew from house to house on Christmas Eve, delivering gifts to children.

The tradition of leaving out cookies and milk for Santa also began to take shape during this time. Families started to embrace the idea of Santa as a symbol of generosity and kindness, reinforcing the spirit of giving during the holiday season.

In addition to Santa, other customs began to emerge. The practice of sending Christmas cards became popular in the mid-19th century. The first commercial Christmas card was created in 1843, and it quickly became a way for people to connect with loved ones during the festive season.

The Christmas tree also became a central element of holiday celebrations. As mentioned earlier, Queen Victoria's influence helped popularise this tradition in England. Families began to decorate their trees with ornaments, lights, and tinsel, creating a festive atmosphere in their homes.

Modern Christmas Celebrations

Today, Christmas is celebrated in various ways around the world. While many traditions remain, new customs continue to emerge. In the UK, for instance, the tradition of the Christmas cracker has become a staple at holiday meals. These festive items contain small gifts, jokes, and paper hats, adding an element of fun to the celebrations.

In many countries, Christmas markets have become popular destinations during the holiday season. These markets offer a variety of festive foods, drinks, and handmade crafts, creating a vibrant atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy together.

Gift-giving remains a central aspect of Christmas. Families often exchange presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, reflecting the spirit of generosity that has been associated with the holiday for centuries.

As we approach Christmas, many people also engage in charitable activities. Donating to food banks, volunteering at shelters, and supporting local charities have become common ways to give back during the festive season. This emphasis on helping others aligns with the core message of Christmas as a time of kindness and compassion.

Embracing the Spirit of Christmas

As we celebrate this festive season, it's essential to remember the true spirit of Christmas. It’s a time for family, friends, and community. The warmth of togetherness and the joy of giving should be at the forefront of our celebrations.

Let’s not forget the importance of creating new memories and traditions. Whether it's baking festive treats, decorating the house, or simply enjoying each other's company, these moments are what make Christmas special.

Incorporating acts of kindness into our celebrations can also enhance the joy of the season. Consider reaching out to those in need, whether through donations or simply offering a helping hand. The phrase "the spirit of giving" truly encapsulates what Christmas is all about.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Christmas has evolved significantly over the centuries. From its ancient origins to the modern celebrations we know today, the holiday has transformed into a time of joy, generosity, and family togetherness. As we embrace the festive spirit, let us remember the rich history behind this beloved holiday and continue to create new traditions that reflect our values and bring us closer together.

Merry Novembermas!

Alex