Christmas, the Christian feast celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, has been observed on 25 December since at least the mid-fourth century. Today, it is widely celebrated by people of all faiths—and none—as a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness. But long before Christmas became a global phenomenon, the midwinter period was marked by special ceremonies, feasts, and celebrations across cultures. Let’s explore the fascinating history of this beloved holiday.
Neolithic Midwinter: The Origins of Celebration
The roots of midwinter celebrations stretch back thousands of years, even before recorded history. The winter solstice, usually occurring on 21 December, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. For ancient peoples, this was a time of profound significance, as the sun appeared to stand still before gradually returning, bringing light and renewal.
At Stonehenge, the towering stones align with the sunrise on the winter solstice, suggesting that this was a sacred event for the Neolithic people who built it. Archaeological evidence from nearby Durrington Walls reveals remnants of communal feasts, with pig and cow bones, fermented milk, cheese, barley beer, and mead. These gatherings likely honored the transition from darkness to light, a theme that resonates in many winter celebrations to this day.
At Stonehenge, the towering stones align with the sunrise on the winter solstice, suggesting that this was a sacred event for the Neolithic people who built it. Archaeological evidence from nearby Durrington Walls reveals remnants of communal feasts, with pig and cow bones, fermented milk, cheese, barley beer, and mead. These gatherings likely honored the transition from darkness to light, a theme that resonates in many winter celebrations to this day.
The Ancient Romans: Saturnalia and Beyond
TThe Romans celebrated several winter festivals, many of which influenced modern Christmas traditions.
- Saturnalia: Held in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, this festival began on 17 December and lasted several days. It was a time of revelry and role reversal, where masters served their slaves, gambling was permitted, and small gifts were exchanged. Public feasts and private celebrations were accompanied by luxury foods like figs, dates, pine nuts, and garum (a fermented fish sauce), as well as imported wine spiced with honey.
- Kalendae: The Roman New Year, celebrated on 1 January, honored Janus, the god of beginnings. Like Saturnalia, it involved feasting, gift-giving, and merrymaking.
- Dies Natalis Solis Invicti: On 25 December, the Romans celebrated the “Birth of the Unconquered Sun,” a festival honoring the sun god. This date would later coincide with Christmas, leading to speculation about its influence on the Christian holiday.
Why is Christmas Celebrated on 25 December?
The Bible does not specify the date of Jesus’ birth, and scholars have long debated why 25 December was chosen. One theory suggests that early Christians appropriated the date of Roman festivals like Saturnalia and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti to celebrate Christ’s Nativity. However, this is unlikely, as early Christians were often persecuted and would have avoided associating their sacred day with pagan gods.
A more plausible explanation lies in early Christian theology. 25 March was believed to be the date of the Annunciation (when the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus) and the Crucifixion. Counting nine months forward places the birth of Jesus on 25 December, aligning with the theological significance of this date.
A more plausible explanation lies in early Christian theology. 25 March was believed to be the date of the Annunciation (when the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus) and the Crucifixion. Counting nine months forward places the birth of Jesus on 25 December, aligning with the theological significance of this date.
Medieval Christmas: A Time of Faith and Feasting
The Middle Ages marked a golden age for Christmas celebrations. Beginning on Christmas Eve (24 December), the holiday spanned 12 days, culminating in the Epiphany on 6 January, which commemorated the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus.
- Religious Observances: Monasteries and churches held elaborate services, including three masses on Christmas Day. Other holy days within the Christmas season included St. Stephen’s Day (26 December), St. John the Evangelist’s Day (27 December), and the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December).
- Feasting and Merriment: The Christmas period was a time for feasting, hospitality, and charity. Lords and monasteries provided food and drink to their tenants and the poor, while musicians and performers entertained in grand halls.
- Gift-Giving: Gifts were traditionally exchanged on 1 January, and servile laborers were granted a holiday from their duties.
- Royal Celebrations: Kings like Henry II held grand “crown-wearing” ceremonies during Christmas, showcasing their power and generosity.
Tudor Christmas: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
The reigns of Henry VII and VIII were another high point in the history of Christmas. On Twelfth Night (6 January), a bean was baked into a cake. The person who got it in their slice became 'King of the Bean', or if it was a woman, she chose her 'King', and everyone had to imitate him. When he drank, they drank; if he coughed, they coughed.
Christmas was also a time for plays and 'disguisings', a similar type of entertaining performance. Henry VIII (a talented musician who wrote the Christmas song Green Groweth the Holly) and his friends liked to dress up as Robin Hood's men or as Muslims, and you had to pretend not to recognise them.
The Reformation of the mid-16th century, when England went from being a Catholic to an overwhelmingly Protestant country, led to the discontinuation of many of the religious ceremonies that accompanied Christmas. However, it remained an important event in the calendar of the Church of England and was accompanied by lavish celebrations at the royal court.
Queen Elizabeth I had her own Dancing Chamber at Kenilworth Castle. In the popular Christmas 'Cushion Dance', a man laid a cushion before his wished-for partner; she knelt on it, kissed him and joined the dance. Then she chose her partner in the same way, until everyone was dancing.
Perhaps the dancers got their energy from sugar, which richer Tudor people loved. They tipped sugar into already sweet wine and held Christmas 'sugar banquets' with elaborate sugar models of castles, dragons, holly, and even goblets, all edible. Queen Elizabeth (whose teeth went black from sugar-eating) also expected lavish presents, which were customarily given on New Year's Day at this time, and carefully listed their exact value.
Christmas was also a time for plays and 'disguisings', a similar type of entertaining performance. Henry VIII (a talented musician who wrote the Christmas song Green Groweth the Holly) and his friends liked to dress up as Robin Hood's men or as Muslims, and you had to pretend not to recognise them.
The Reformation of the mid-16th century, when England went from being a Catholic to an overwhelmingly Protestant country, led to the discontinuation of many of the religious ceremonies that accompanied Christmas. However, it remained an important event in the calendar of the Church of England and was accompanied by lavish celebrations at the royal court.
Queen Elizabeth I had her own Dancing Chamber at Kenilworth Castle. In the popular Christmas 'Cushion Dance', a man laid a cushion before his wished-for partner; she knelt on it, kissed him and joined the dance. Then she chose her partner in the same way, until everyone was dancing.
Perhaps the dancers got their energy from sugar, which richer Tudor people loved. They tipped sugar into already sweet wine and held Christmas 'sugar banquets' with elaborate sugar models of castles, dragons, holly, and even goblets, all edible. Queen Elizabeth (whose teeth went black from sugar-eating) also expected lavish presents, which were customarily given on New Year's Day at this time, and carefully listed their exact value.
The Victorian reinvention of Christmas
The Christmas we know today owes much to the Victorian era, which revived and reshaped the holiday for an increasingly urban and middle-class society.
Victorian Christmas was also a time for charity, with wealthier families providing feasts and gifts for their poorer neighbors.
- Christmas Trees: Popularized by Prince Albert, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees spread from Germany to England.
- Gift-Giving: Presents were now exchanged on Christmas Day, with children receiving modest gifts like sweets, nuts, or oranges.
- Boxing Day: 26 December became a day for giving “Christmas boxes” to servants and tradesmen.
- New Traditions: Victorian innovations included Christmas cards, crackers, turkey dinners, and Christmas pudding.
- Santa Claus: The modern image of Santa Claus, complete with reindeer and a sleigh, arrived from America in the 1870s.
Victorian Christmas was also a time for charity, with wealthier families providing feasts and gifts for their poorer neighbors.
Conclusion: A Timeless Celebration
From ancient solstice rituals to medieval feasts and Victorian innovations, Christmas has evolved into a global celebration of light, hope, and togetherness. Its rich history reflects humanity’s enduring desire to find joy and meaning during the darkest time of the year.
As we gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and share festive meals, we continue a tradition that spans millennia—a testament to the enduring power of Christmas.
From ancient solstice rituals to medieval feasts and Victorian innovations, Christmas has evolved into a global celebration of light, hope, and togetherness. Its rich history reflects humanity’s enduring desire to find joy and meaning during the darkest time of the year.
As we gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and share festive meals, we continue a tradition that spans millennia—a testament to the enduring power of Christmas.