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100 BCE
The beginning
The origin of Christmas stems from the early ways of the Christian community that identifies Jesus's birthday and they wanted to publicly worship the event. The actual chosen date of December 25th is unclear nor has it been proven but it was identified by Sextus Julius Africanus (who was the first ever Christian Historian, who made universally known chronology) in 221 AD and it later became the accepted date (Hillerbrand). -
900
The Celebrations start...
Christmas didn't really start to be widely celebrated until the 9th century. Although the birth of Jesus was very significant, his birth still was not as publicly important as Good Friday/Easter was at that time, the other 2 major Christain holidays (Hillerbrand). -
1000
Early Christmas in Europe
The end of December for Europe was a common time of celebration, cattle were slaughtered to avoid feeding during the winter providing people with the only chance at fresh meat. In addition, beer and wine were fermented enough to drink, these 2 factors were a call for a celebration of some kind. In Rome around the time of the winter solstice, they observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome and often celebrated the birthday of Mithra (god of the unconquerable sun) on December 25th. -
1200
Different Days of Celebration
By the 12th century, Christmas had been spread all over the world and soon internationally. It was being celebrated at different times though as some Cultures and Religions follow or use different calendars. For example, Greek and Russian orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 to 14 days after the 25th. They do this because Western churches use the Gregorian Calendar. However, Eastern Churches use the Julian Calendar, which is 13 to 14 days behind the Gregorian Calendar (History). -
Dec 25, 1300
Ways of Celebration
Christmas was to be held at the same time every year so that it would increase the chances of the celebration being popularly embraced internationally. It was known that it occurred at the same time as the winter solstice (widely celebrated among Europe). But the Christian church did, however, leave the ability to dictate how it would be celebrated to the people on their own terms. On Christmas, believers of the Christan faith would attend church and then celebrate in a drunken manner (History). -
A celebration Change
It is unclear when the Christmas tree started but it is noted around the renaissance period by a man named Sebastian Brant (Hillerbrand). He wrote about a custom of putting branches from fur trees in houses. But the first trees decorated were recorded in Strasbourg, France in 1605. Even the use of candles on a tree was recorded by a Silesian duchess in 1611. What started as a Christian celebration of a god's birthday was slowly being adopted all over Europe and creating traditions (History). -
Why was Christmas considered corrupted?
To Cromwell Christmas was considered corrupted because he had become a Puritan (English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries, who wanted to purify the Church of England of Roman Catholic practices, reformed church of England, Wikipedia). What came with that is he didn't agree with the practices of churches in England, Ireland, and Scotland (places he ruled) one being the idea of Christmas. He canceled it as a step in the reform process (History). -
Christmas Cancelled?
In the 17th century, a religious reform took place across Europe causing a ban on Christmas. When Oliver Cromwell (military/political leader) took over England in 1645, to get rid of their "corruption", he canceled Christmas. However, Charles II restored it after he came back to power.
Settlers coming to America in 1620, believed the same as Cromwell. Christmas was not a holiday in early America; 1659 to 1681, the holiday was outlawed in Boston and celebration would end in fines (History). -
Christmas Traditions starting...
By the mid-1800s the idea of the advent calendar is used to count down the days until Christmas. This started in Munich, Germany by a housewife who was getting tired of her kids asking her. By the time the 1900s rolled around calendars had become commercialized and began to be sold. This started the slowly diminishing line between traditional views of Christmas and the advent season, as well as what was turning into the very large scale holiday we endure now (Hillerbrand). -
Gift Giving
Gift giving was another change that was in full effect by the 19th century when celebrating Christmas. The feast that often came along with the day in the beginning of the Christian celebration, reminded the Christian people that Jesus was God’s gift to humankind. Even the coming of the Wise Men, or Magi, to Bethlehem suggested that Christmas was meant to give gifts. It was justified by the fact that the holiday had always meant to be focused on the celebration with family and friends. -
Christmas Festivities begin...
England in the 19th century started Christmas carols that were meant to share the family tales and what Christmas was about, being a good person and giving to others. They began selling/sending Christmas cards to close family and friends and in countries like Austria and Germany, they made a connection between their Christian festival and the holiday. They identified the Christ Child as the giver of gifts, bringing new meaning to the holiday. A day of giving to others, in celebration of Jesus. -
American's Embrace Christmas
Americans had embraced the idea of Christmas after years of not allowing it. It was a book written by well-known author Washington Irving that enlightened people about the celebrations of Christmas in England households. He shared the idea, of the tradition of Christmas was to come together and no matter social status or wealth and be peaceful. This was important for American citizens after the 1900s started with riots over social classes, that often happened during the Christmas season. -
St.Nicholas... Santa...
Santa or Saint Nick changed Christmas to what it is now. An international holiday, bringing gifts to every good girl and boy. In European countries, St. Nicholas appeared on his feast day (December 6) bringing modest gifts of candy and other gifts to children. North America transformed that into the role of Santa Claus based on the poem “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas". This, of course, began Christmas trees, lights and decorations as the celebrations become more modernized. -
Christmas Classics
The '50s is what brought us the classics we know and love. These are movies, books, songs that every time they play to remind us of Christmas and the magic of it. Like Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman. They create nostalgia, reminding us of childhood. They tell stories of Santa giving gifts or the Wise men and Jesus. Although we have strayed from traditions creating our own there are always hidden hints or features that bring us to the past to remind us of the true reason behind the holiday. -
Christmas and Beliefs
Since in a lot of European countries exchange gifts on the evening of the 24th, Christmas mass was set to late afternoon of that day. In North America the morning of the 25th, families open presents. This has put, with the exception of Catholic and some Lutheran and Episcopal churches, a pause of holding church services on that day or in the morning. This is a huge eye-opener when showing how much a change in society's traditions has led to change, in long-standing religious/cultural practices. -
Present Day Christmas
Today, Christmas gives families a break from the fast pace of their everyday life to relax. Some depending on how religious they are will go to church for a Christmas service others stay home with their family and participate in traditions they've made as a family. Christmas has evolved from not just a celebration of Jesus's birthday but a holiday to show the ones you love, you care about them and be thankful. It's important not to get caught up on the gift side of things and enjoy family time.
