Christmas xmas history
by John at 12/15/2005 01:25:00 PM
Highlights:
Pagan celebrations in Northern Europe because: finally, the days were getting longer; cattle were slaughtered so they wouldn't have to fed throughout the winter (fresh meat!); the wine and beer was finally fermented and ready to drink; it was freaking cold out and boring to be cooped up all inside so it was party time.
Rome: Saturnalia holiday in honor of the God of agriculture, Saturn, was celebrated for a whole month; the social order is inverted with peasants and slaves taking over cities and households (but all in good fun).
Early Christians: Pope Julius I decided that December 25 was Jesus' birthday - it also happened to be the birthday of Roman God, Mithra; he hoped that pagans would easily adopt new celebrations because they are, basically, the old celebrations with a different name.
Middle Ages: Christmas celebration, after going to church, was like Mardi Gras (without all the plastic beads); societal inversion was still popular - poor often demanded gifts of the best food and drink from the rich or would subject them to mischief; a beggar or student was crowned the Lord of Misrule.
The Puritans and early America: outlawed Christmas because Puritans didn't like fun; Congress was in session on Dec 25, 1789; anti-English sentiment in America lead many to reject Christmas as an English custom.
Christmas revisionism: in 1819, Washington Irving reinvented Christmas as a family centered holiday instead of a big raucous party - his work is probably mostly fictional; the upper class embraced the new image of Christmas because they were tired of the whole rioting thing. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol; families became less disciplinarian - it was now considered alright to give a gift to a child without the risk of spoiling him or her. Americans looked to recent immigrants and adopt their holiday symbols - Christmas trees, Saint Nicholas, gift giving, feasts, etc - many of which have their roots in the ancient pre-Christian pagan winter celebrations.
Early Twentieth Century: Commercialization of Christmas is driven by the growth of a consumer economy.
-----
Aside: I plan on celebrating Christmas a more traditional way by having a huge bonfire in my yard while getting ripping drunk on hot mulled wine and hard cider. After appointing Goose the Lord of Misrule, we will then pester my more prosperous neighbors for gifts of food and more alcohol to consume at our feast.
Or maybe I will just stay at home and play with Elias. In addition to jumping in the jumparoo and riding the bus, perhaps we will play "spot the zealot."
Pagan celebrations in Northern Europe because: finally, the days were getting longer; cattle were slaughtered so they wouldn't have to fed throughout the winter (fresh meat!); the wine and beer was finally fermented and ready to drink; it was freaking cold out and boring to be cooped up all inside so it was party time.
Rome: Saturnalia holiday in honor of the God of agriculture, Saturn, was celebrated for a whole month; the social order is inverted with peasants and slaves taking over cities and households (but all in good fun).
Early Christians: Pope Julius I decided that December 25 was Jesus' birthday - it also happened to be the birthday of Roman God, Mithra; he hoped that pagans would easily adopt new celebrations because they are, basically, the old celebrations with a different name.
Middle Ages: Christmas celebration, after going to church, was like Mardi Gras (without all the plastic beads); societal inversion was still popular - poor often demanded gifts of the best food and drink from the rich or would subject them to mischief; a beggar or student was crowned the Lord of Misrule.
The Puritans and early America: outlawed Christmas because Puritans didn't like fun; Congress was in session on Dec 25, 1789; anti-English sentiment in America lead many to reject Christmas as an English custom.
Christmas revisionism: in 1819, Washington Irving reinvented Christmas as a family centered holiday instead of a big raucous party - his work is probably mostly fictional; the upper class embraced the new image of Christmas because they were tired of the whole rioting thing. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol; families became less disciplinarian - it was now considered alright to give a gift to a child without the risk of spoiling him or her. Americans looked to recent immigrants and adopt their holiday symbols - Christmas trees, Saint Nicholas, gift giving, feasts, etc - many of which have their roots in the ancient pre-Christian pagan winter celebrations.
Early Twentieth Century: Commercialization of Christmas is driven by the growth of a consumer economy.
-----
Aside: I plan on celebrating Christmas a more traditional way by having a huge bonfire in my yard while getting ripping drunk on hot mulled wine and hard cider. After appointing Goose the Lord of Misrule, we will then pester my more prosperous neighbors for gifts of food and more alcohol to consume at our feast.
Or maybe I will just stay at home and play with Elias. In addition to jumping in the jumparoo and riding the bus, perhaps we will play "spot the zealot."
