The middle of winter has been a time of celebration around the world for millennia. Centuries before Jesus’ birth, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. On winter solstice, many rejoiced, as it was when the worst of winter was behind them and they were able to look forward to longer days and hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia around December 21, the Norse celebrated Yule for several days. This celebration was to recognize the return of the sun, in which fathers and sons would take home large logs to set on fire and feast until it burned out, which could take as many as 12 days.
Other celebrations included the Germans honoring of the pagan god Odin, Rome honored Saturn and others gods, the Europeans slaughtering most of their cattle for the winter, as well as most wine being fermented and ready for drinking.
Now, Christmas is a day to celebrate Jesus’ birth. However, historical evidence suggests that he was not born in December. The Bible does not mention the date of his birth, but because the shepherds were herding, it suggests it may have been in the spring. Regardless, Pope Julius chose December 25 around 350 A.D., which is believed to have been chosen in order to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan festivals. By the Middle Ages, Christmas — which was first called the Feast of the Nativity, had mostly replaced the pagan festivals.
In the 16th century, Christmas was commonly written as Xmas, as many years before an Anglo-Saxon scribe had written “XPmas” to save space, using the Greek letter Chi (X) and the first letter of Χριστός (Christos) to keep the same meaning.
In 1843, English author Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. The important message of charity and goodwill toward others led to its popularity in the United States and England in the Victorian society. Two decades before, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” which is commonly known by its first line: “Twas The Night Before Christmas.” Moore based this story on Saint Nicholas, a man in A.D. 280, who had used his large inheritance to help the poor. This story had a significant role in creating the modern, jolly Santa with eight reindeer.
In the early 1800s, families were becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children. Christmas became a day that families could provide a lot of attention and gifts to their children without it appearing as “spoiling” them.
Old customs were rediscovered as Americans embraced Christmas as a “perfect family holiday.” Over the next century, Americans built a Christmas tradition that included pieces of many other customs they learned from immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches, such as gift-giving, sending holiday cards, and decorating trees.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6