The earliest records mention a feast held in the Church at Alexandria, Egypt, around AD 200, to honor the Nativity. The celebration of Christmas did not become a church-wide celebration until the late third and early fourth centuries.
A variety of dates have been associated with the Feast of the Nativity. Western churches observed the feast on the 25th of December, while most churches in the East observed it on January 6th (Epiphany). Though the Church at Rome maintained that December 25 was the actual birth date of Jesus, a separate date (according to civil and historical records) places his actual birth around the Passover in the spring. However, by the end of the fourth century almost all Christian churches had accepted the December date.
The name "Christmas" didn’t appear until the 11th century. The word comes from the Latin Cristes Maesse, which means the Mass of Christ.
From Solstice to Christmas
The unanimous adoption of the December date came about as a means for the Church to integrate Christian ideals into the Winter Solstice festivals celebrated during that season. In the Eastern Empire, the Festival of the Invincible Sun, a celebration honoring the Persian God Mithra, was the major winter celebration.
While in the west, the Saturnalia literally closed down the region for twelve days. As Christian missionaries ventured into Northern Europe, they were exposed to the Feast of Yule, a widespread solstice celebration for many tribes and clans. While adopting a Christian focus for these festivals, the Church allowed many of the customs and traditions associated with their older significance to remain.
The Origin of Christmas Customs
Many ancient Christmas customs survive to this day. The adorning of homes with evergreen foliage is an Old Norse and Saxon custom, which symbolized the presence of eternal life during the solstice when the night was at its longest.
Decorations of holly and mistletoe, along with evergreen trees, were found in many homes throughout Europe and the British Isles. Candles were lit and placed in windows and a large log called the Yule Log was burned in the hearth all night. Homes and villages were ablaze with lights to ward off the darkness and to celebrate the returning sunlight.
In England, the Twelve Days of Christmas are a time of great banquets, caroling throughout towns and villages, exchanging presents, and attending parties. The custom of drinking from the Wassail bowl originated from the Anglo-Saxons and was a toast to good health and harvest for the coming year. The phrase Wassail (Waes Haeil) comes from Northern England and literally means "well health."
The Origin of Santa Claus
Santa Claus, the nighttime visitor who brings gifts is a composite from many different cultures. The original inspiration was Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra in Turkey, who was noted for his generous acts of charity.
In Northern Europe, the Norse god Odin was thought to hunt during the night of the Yule festival with a black elf as his huntsman. Boots filled with fruits and grain would be placed by the hearth on the chance that Odin and his eight-legged horse Sleipnir would stop to rest. As Christianity spread northward, the legend of Saint Nicholas was transposed with the Norse deity to become Sinterklaas and his helper Black Pete in the Netherlands.
In Britain, Saint Nicolas became synonymous with Father Christmas, a bearded man dressed in long fur-lined green robes. The modern Santa Claus we know today evolved from Dutch and English renditions in early America and became the standard of U.S. culture in 1863 with Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and an illustration by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly.
Christmas in the Church
Numerous churches have Christmas Eve services, which include popular Christmas customs such as candlelight vigils, plays reenacting the Nativity from the Gospel of Luke, and hymns sung by children. Catholic services on Christmas Day include three masses, special readings from Isaiah and the Gospel of Luke, and elaborate hymns and carols.
Many churches are decorated with candles, greenery, and nativity scenes. For many people around the world, Christmas is the high point of the Advent season. It is a joyous time for many Christians as they give thanks to God for the birth of Jesus.
Sources:
- Martindale, Cyril Charles. "Christmas." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 3 November 2009.
- Franz Cumont, Astrology and Religion Among the Greeks and Romans (reprint; New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1960), pp. 89, 90.
- Bratcher, Dennis. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” CRI/Voice Institute. April 1, 2009
- McNallen, Stephen. “The Twelve Days of Yule” Asatru Folk Assembly, 2005.
- Christmas Around the World, The North Pole.Com, 1996-2009
- Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years (chap. 9, esp. 171-173) (2006) ISBN 0786429585.
David Katski - David Katski is a graphic designer with over six years experience in both print and web design. Holding and AS degree in the field of ...
Join the Conversation