How Christmas Started? 7 Facts About the History of Jesus’ Birthday Celebration

Celebrated on December 25th, Christmas is a holiday rooted in centuries of tradition, belief and cultural development. It is both a sacred commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a joyful global celebration of festivities. But the story of Christmas is not a single tale, but a complex mix of ancient pagan customs, Christian theology and modern traditions.

Long before the Christmas story was born, midwinter festivals brought light and hope to the cold, dark days of the year. Early Europeans celebrated the winter solstice with festivals, rituals and celebrations honoring the return of the sun. As Christianity spread, the church adapted these customs to its own calendar, leading to the establishment of Christmas as a major holiday, as recorded in history books and journals. Over the centuries, the festival absorbed influences from different cultures and eras, evolving into the cherished event we know today.

Let’s take a look at the origins of Christmas and the key moments in history that defined its development.

1. Winter Solstice Celebrations

Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, people all over the world celebrated the winter solstice. It marked the lengthening of the days and the return of the sun’s light. Early Europeans celebrated festivals and rituals that honored light during the darkest days of winter. For example, in Scandinavia, Norwegians lit a large wooden log called a Yule log and celebrated with festivals that lasted up to 12 days. Germanic tribes worshipped the pagan god Odin, who was believed to determine fates during his nighttime flights.

2. Saturnalia and Roman Festivals

In ancient Rome, Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, was a month-long hedonistic festival. The Romans also celebrated Juvenalia, in honor of children, and the birthday of Mithra, the “unconquerable sun,” on December 25th.

3. The Acceptance of December 25 in Christianity

Easter was the main celebration in the early centuries of Christianity. The Church attempted to make Jesus’ birth a noteworthy occasion by the fourth century. Pope Julius I selected December 25 to coincide with already-existing solstice celebrations, such as Saturnalia, in order to guarantee the new holiday’s broad acceptance, according to History.com. Within centuries, the celebration—originally known as the Feast of the Nativity—spread to Egypt and England.

4. Medieval Christmas Traditions

During the Middle Ages, Christianity largely replaced pagan customs. According to History.com, Christmas became a mix of religious devotion and enthusiastic celebration, similar to carnival today. Roles were reversed: a “lord of misrule” presided over the festival, and the poor begged the rich for food and drink.

5. Puritans’ Rejection of Christmas

In the 17th century, religious reformers such as Oliver Cromwell in England tried to curb decadence by banning Christmas. The popular festival was revived with the restoration of Charles II to the throne. In America, Puritan colonists went further, banning the celebration of Christmas in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Breakers of the law were fined five shillings. Christmas had little popularity in the United States until the late 19th century. Christmas was not declared a national holiday until June 26, 1870.

6. Reinventing Christmas in the 19th Century

Christmas underwent changes during the Victorian era, becoming a more family-oriented holiday. Inspired by Saint Nicholas, the patron of children, the figure of Santa Claus entered American culture in the 18th century. Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 poem “Twas The Night Before Christmas” popularized the modern image of Santa Claus. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast perfected Santa Claus’ red costume and white beard in 1881, creating the iconic look we know today.

7. The 1914 Christmas Truce

During World War I, one of the most amazing events in Christmas history occurred. An unofficial truce between German and British troops was announced on Christmas Eve 1914 along parts of the Western Front. Both sides’ soldiers came out of their trenches to greet one another, give and receive little gifts, and even play soccer. According to Britannica.com, the Christmas Truce demonstrated the ability of the festive spirit to promote humanity and connection even in the face of war’s violence, even if the ceasefire was neither universal nor approved by military leaders.