Long before the birth of Jesus, the customs we now
associate with Christmas were begun with the winter solstice celebrations. In ancient
times people believed the sun grew weak during the winter and might not return in
spring. The crops and animals would then die. As a result, they held festivals in
winter with the belief that this would encourage the sun to return. In ancient Rome
there was the Feast of Saturnalia honoring Saturn, whose symbol was the sun. Military
exercises and business topped. It was a time of good will, a time to visit family
and friends, and to exchange gifts. It was also a time to forgive, and only then
did slaves and masters trade places.
The first Christmas was actually celebrated as the Feast of the Nativity. "In those
days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire
Roman world... and everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went
up... to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line
of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him
and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be
born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and
placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1,3-7.
In 320 AD,
Pope Julius I and other Roman Church leaders agreed on December 25 as the official
date of Christ's birth. There were two reasons for this. Many early Christians had
set March 25 as the time when the angel told Mary she would give birth, and nine
months from this date is December 25. December 25 also corresponded to many non-Christian
winter festivals, as well as the Persian sun god Mithra's birthday. By choosing this
date, the Church founders hoped to convert pagan worshippers to Christianity. As
Christians began to celebrate the birth of Jesus, they were reminded of His words,
"I am the light of the world." The candle flame reminded them of this, so people
began to use candles in Christmas celebrations.
Also, during the middle ages stories were told that the Christ child traveled through
the night looking for shelter. So on Christmas Eve, households placed lit candles
in their windows as a welcome sign to him. On that night, no stranger would be turned
away. Angels brought the message of Jesus' birth, so ever since then angels have
become the symbol of peace on earth. Peace was especially welcomed by the poor shepherds
who lived in a land occupied by Roman soldiers. Ancient winter festivals of the Norsemen
before Jesus' birth would declare a "peacestead", or season of peace between warring
groups during this time of year. In ancient times evergreen trees where especially
honored because they were a symbol of the continuation of life. In ancient Rome evergreen
trees were decorated with candles and figures representing their sun god.
The practice of decorating an evergreen tree inside a home was initiated by Martin
Luther, a German preacher. One Christmas Eve he took a walk in the woods by his home
and saw a tall fir tree against the beautiful starry sky. He cut it down and brought
it home and decorated it with lit candles. He then gathered his children around this
brightly glowing tree and told them about the stars that shone in the sky of Bethlehem
when Jesus was born.
Mistletoe and holly also have long histories connected with winter festivals. Druids
believed mistletoe was magical. During their winter festivals, they cut it from branches
of an oak or apple tree. They believed it brought good luck and love to those who
hung it in their homes. Druids also wore holly in their hair during these celebrations.
They believed the leaves were an enduring symbol of God's love and the red berries
represented the crucifixion.
The custom of having a nativity scene was begun by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224.
He wanted everyone to understand Jesus' birth. In Greccio Italy he built a stable,
dressed people as Joseph, Mary and the Shepherds, he brought cows, a donkey, sheep
and hay. Lastly, a wax doll was placed in the crib. When the townspeople were gathered,
St. Francis stood before the crib, overcome with joy and devotion, and a solemn mass
was sung. This inspired many people to create nativity scenes. As time passed some
were created using miniature figures and brought inside the home.
The first Christmas carol was sung by angels to a group of frightened shepherds.
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God
and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor
rests'." Luke 2:13-14. Caroling from door to door began in England a long time ago.
Wandering musicians traveled from town to town visiting noblemen's castles. They
played and sang hoping to receive food and money for their caroling.
The Life and Spirit of Santa Claus Santa Claus has been evolving for over 1500 years.
Around 280 AD a man named Nicholas was born in Turkey. He became an orphan at 13
when a plague killed his parents. A great portion of his inheritance he donated to
charity and then he set off upon a sincere study of religion, becoming an ordained
priest at 19. Soon after he became the Bishop of Myra. After his death he was declared
a saint and became the patron saint of sailors, merchants, maidens and children because
of the following legends. When a ship ran aground and the crew on board was in danger
they prayed to St. Nicholas. They suddenly looked up and there he was in a red bishop's
robe flying towards them. He saved them and flew away.
Another legend states that when he was a young man he found out about a merchant
who had 3 daughters but no dowries for them to be able to marry. The father was so
desperate that he was considering sending his first daughter into slavery. So Nicholas
secretly dropped a bag of gold down their chimney which landed into his daughters
freshly washed stockings left on the mantel place to dry by the fire. The father
was overjoyed and the first daughter was able to marry. This happened two more times.
The third time however, the father waited up to see who his benefactor was. He ran
after Nicholas and thanked him. Nicholas was very humble and asked the man not to
reveal his act of charity. Only on the man's deathbed did he reveal all.
Children, hearing this story, began to hang their stockings by the chimney in hopes
St. Nicholas would fill them with small gifts. He also became the patron saint of
children because of another legend that he returned a kidnapped boy to his parents.
All over the world there has been a tradition of gift giving during the winter months.
In Spain children believed the three wise men brought them gifts on January 5th.
In Sweden, an elf brought gifts on December 24th. He wore a red cap and had a long
white beard. He rode in a sleigh pulled by a special Christmas goat to deliver his
presents. In England Father Christmas was the gift bearer. He was older than St.
Nicholas, being patterned after the Roman god Saturn, who presided over the feast
of Saturnalia. Like Saturn, he was symbol of merriment. German parents told their
children that the Christ child, Chirstkinde, was the one who brought their presents
on Christmas Eve.
In Holland, after many others quit believing in him, they continued to worship St.
Nicholas. He returned to earth every St. Nicholas Eve riding through the countryside
on a horse. In the 1600's settlers from Holland came to New York and brought their
St. Nicholas traditions with them. When the British settlers seized New York in 1664
they brought their traditions of Father Christmas with them. Eventually the colonists
intermarried and St. Nicholas and Father Christmas blended into a single gift giver
named Santa Claus.
Sources: Merry Christmas: A History of the Holiday, by Patricia Bunning Stevens.
The Truth about Santa Claus, by James Cross Giblin
