The historical origin of Christmas has roots in Celtic, Norse and Roman paganism. Early European festivities revolved around the Winter Solstice. In the fourth century, Christian Church officials decided to designate Jesus' birthday as a holiday. The date of Jesus' birth is not mentioned in the Bible, so Pope Julius I chose December 25 as the designated day of celebration.Catholic Encyclopedia: Christmas
Before it Was Christmas
Long before the holiday we know today as Christmas came into being, ancient civilizations celebrated the winter solstice. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia saw households feasting and decorating with laurel garlands and candles, and even exchanging gifts. Ancient Druids harvested mistletoe during the winter solstice and gave pieces to all of the households in the village to ward off evil. In Scandinavia ornaments decorated evergreen trees during Yule, and the men of the household set out to find the biggest yule log they could find.Zenzibar: The Pagan Origins of Christmas
Gift Giving
Many modern Christmas celebrations revolve around gift-giving and the Christmas tree. These customs were popularized by the Western reinvention of Christmas during the 18th century.How Stuff Works: Christmas Santa Claus, a fictional character who flies in a magic sleigh pulled by reindeer to deliver gifts to children around the world, also became an important feature in Christmas legend and festivities during the 19th century.
Christmas History Timeline
274: Romans celebrated Solis Invicti on December 25th
336: First celebration of Christmas on December 25th recorded in Chronography of 354Virtue Science: The Number 336
800: Prominence grew for Christmas Day after Charlemagne was crowned on December 25thThen Again: Charlemagne Crowned
1637: Christmas celebration banned by England's Puritan rulersStill Water Revival Books: Christmas: Its Origins and Opposition to It
1660: Restoration ended the ban on ChristmasThe Christmas Archives: A Thumbnail History of Christmas
1659: Outlawed in Boston till 1681Massachusetts Travel Journal: When Christmas Was Banned in Boston
1843: Charles Dickens book A Christmas Carol helped revives Christmas as a holidayCharles Dickens Gad's Hill Place: A Christmas Carol'
1863: Thomas Nast drew the popular image of Santa Claus which he updated yearlySon of the South: Santa Claus Pictures
1870: Christmas declared a federal holidayAmerica.gov: An Overview of U.S. Holidays
1897: The popular letter "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" was writtenNewseum: "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"
1914: The Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War IHistory.com: The Christmas Truce of 1914
Featured Video
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
Learn how to make fun and easy arts & crafts for Christmas. Keltie Colleen guides you through the steps of making a Christmas wreath. This video is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos available for free at the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Gift Wrap a Christmas Present
Keltie Colleen provides all the support and guidance you will need to learn how to gift wrap a Christmas present. Full step by step instructions are provided by Colleen in this 6:47 video. This is part of a much wider range of craft and Christmas related instructional videos available for free on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make Christmas Tree Ornaments
Learn to make Christmas ornaments in this Mahalo tutorial led by Keltie Colleen. Ms Colleen demonstrates making globe ornaments for the Christmas tree using Styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, stickers, and rhinestones. To secure the stickers on the ornament, use a glue gun. The pipe cleaners form the ornament hanger. This is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Play We Wish You A Merry Christmas on Guitar
Guitarist, Thomas Gilbert returns on Mahalo.com to play another Christmas classic on Guitar. This time the focus is how to play we wish you a merry Christmas on Guitar. Thomas guides viewers through all the required chords as well as providing an assortment of tips and advice on how to master playing this song. This video is part of a much wider series of learn how to play Christmas songs on the Guitar, which are published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make a Christmas Bow
Learn how to make fun and easy Christmas arts & crafts. This video will guide you through the steps of making a Christmas bow. This is part of a wider series of Christmas related videos published on the Mahalo.com channel of YouTube.
How to Make a Christmas Card
Crafter Keltie Colleen presents a tutorial on how to make a Christmas card. She discusses the supplies needed and the simple steps needed to create a homemade card. This crafting guide is part of a larger series of Christmas tutorials offered on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.
Christmas Gifts Under $25
If you are struggling to afford to pay for all your Christmas presents this year then why not shop for some Christmas gifts under $25. This video shows that with careful research and planning you can buy affordable gifts, which look a lot more expensive than they actually cost.
How to Play Frosty The Snowman on Guitar
Frosty the Snowman is a well known Christmas songs and in this Mahalo.com video, Guitarist and Vocalist Jen Trani teachers viewers how to play the song. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
How to Play White Christmas on Guitar
Jen Trani returns for another Mahalo.com video, this time she teaches viewers how to play the Christmas classic, "White Christmas". Watch the video to learn all the Guitar chords and everything you will need to master this song. This video is part of a series of learn how to play Christmas songs on Guitar published on the Mahalo channel of YouTube.
References
Fast Facts
-
1038 A.D.
First called Cristes mæsse (Christ's mass)Catholic Encyclopedia: Christmas
-
1637
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Christmas was designated an official United States holiday on June 26, 1870America.gov: An Overview of U.S. Holidays
-
Fact:
Mithras was an ancient holiday which preceded Christmas
