The History of Christmas
Christmas is known for the birth of Jesus, with a stable, wise men and a star. However, where did the traditions of gifts and food begin? Christmas has a rich history and has evolved over time to become the beloved holiday we know it to be today. Let’s dive into the ins and outs of the holiday season and why we celebrate the way we do.
A lot of holidays come from Roman and Paegan traditions. The Romans had two holidays during December, one to celebrate the God Saturn, and another to celebrate the birth of their sun God Mithra. Across Europe there were rituals during the winter, one being on the darkest day of the year. Similar to the halloween holiday of Samhain, bonfires would be lit to keep away spirits. The church integrated Christianity into these holidays, and decided the birth of Jesus would be celebrated in December to try and breed out Paegan holidays.
Santa is well known for originating from St Nicholas. He was supposedly born in Greece around 270 AD and served his life as a Christian bishop. He was known amongst other bishops for his piousness and the miracles he was said to have performed during his life. An example of something he’s said to have done is he saved three women from prostitution by dropping a sack of gold through their window three nights in a row, so their father could pay their dowries and allow them to get married. There are more imaginative tales of St Nicholas’ good deeds, such as bringing back to life three children who had been murdered and stored in a barrel and pickled. Not much is known for certain about St Nicholas, but his good deeds and pious life inspired the creation of the jolly Santa Claus we know today.
The Christmas tree has a rich history, with one of the first examples being amongst Celtic people, who saw Evergreen plants and trees as sacred as they could survive the harsh winter. They would hang these plants in their house and on their door to ward off spirits and keep them safe during winter. Germany is credited with the first traditional Christmas tree. It’s thought to have come from a popular medieval play based on Adam and Eve, the tree being a paradise tree where the forbidden fruit grew. The German lutheran people would put a paradise tree in their homes on December 24th for the feast of Adam and Eve. They became integrated into German culture, and in the 19th century came to England through Prince Albert, the German born husband of Queen Victoria. The Victorians would decorate their trees with small toys, gifts, candy and popcorn. The tradition of the Christmas tree began to spread across the world during this period, with German settlers integrating it into early American society.
There are many traditions and legends surrounding the creation of Christmas, but I’m sure those who celebrate it are thankful for the holiday of presents, family and good food. If you need extra help with a Christmas meal this year, we have a delicious Christmas menu available to browse. We have everyone’s favourite as well as some of our own unique creations, so take a look if you’re interested. We hope you have an amazing Christmas, and be kind to those around you.
