Deanna Wadsworth: December 2013

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Some Historical Fun and Not so Fun Facts about Christmas

Thanks for visiting us Kayla!

I think in this day and age, anyone would be hard pressed to deny that Christmas has its origins in one or more of several different winter solstice observations. Most of the pagan survivals are Roman in origin. Once the Roman Empire quit prosecuting the Christians and legalized Christianity, the religion was handed over to the Pontifex Maximus. Over the centuries, Christianity took on the favored trappings of paganism, adopting deities as saints and adding their practices to the existing Judeo-Christian teachings and becoming part of the traditions. And the Romans weren’t the only ones who did this.

For Christmas day in particular, the Dies Natalis Sol Invictus (the birthday of the unconquered sun) on December 25^th is the most likely choice.

Who was Sol Invictus?

There are several candidates: the Roman sun god Sol, an older sun deity called Elagabalus, or a newer deity with a superficial resemblance to Jesus Christ known as Mithras. Early Christians were very concerned that the Mithraic mysteries would draw their congregation away; although, Mithras' worshippers were primarily soldiers.

Saturnalia led up to Dies Natalis Sol Invictus and originated as the annual celebration of the dedication of the Temple to Saturn on December 17^th, but was later expanded to a week-long celebration. A Lord of Misrule was chosen by lot to behave badly and encourage others to turn social conventions on their ear. Gifts were given on the last day of the festival.

Both elements can be found in western European Christmas celebrations; although the Lord of Misrule was repeatedly banned as was Christmas itself on more than one occasion. Christmas was proscribed in England, Germany and America. And remained banned in the United States until 1820.

Why was the holiday prohibited? Because early celebrations of Christmas were notable for their drunken revelry and licentious and larcenous activity. "Men dishonor Christ more in the 12 days of Christmas," wrote the 16th-century clergyman Hugh Latimer, "than in all the 12 months besides."

"A Visit From St. Nicholas" aka "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" published in 1823 was the first reference to the modern Santa Claus. Previously, Saint Nick, also referred to as Sinterklaas, was a thin, strict man dressed in bishop's robes not the fat, jolly elf found in the poem.

Saint Nikolas Day is December 5^th, making it a bit of a stretch to link him directly to Christmas Eve. He gave gifts to good children on the eve of his holiday.

In the Alpines, the Krampus, a demon-like creature that punishes naughty children, accompanies St. Nick. The Krampus stuffs particularly ill-behaved children in his sack and drags them off to his lair. In some locals, young men dress up as the Krampus and roam the streets, scaring children with chains and bells. The Krampus is featured on greeting cards known as Krampuskarten.

And then there's the Germanic Yuletide, with its Yule log and the candle covered Yule tree (Christmas tree), undeniable links to this ancient religious season.

The cry of "Keep Christ in Christmas" is not a modern concept. Christians through the ages have fought the same battle trying to prevent drunken revelry from being the main focus of the holiday. I would maintain that the rampant commercialism present these days, while annoying, is not as potentially harmful as some of more "traditional" aspects of the holiday.

KAYLA JAMETH: A knight and a former princess, Kayla Jameth now spends her time writing m/m romance. A true Renaissance woman, she has done everything from cross stitch like a proper lady to welding with the best of them. An eclectic life has left her with an unique understanding of the world inhabited by men and an appreciation for the difficulties faced by men in m/m relationships. It is her devout wish that her experiences translate into a richer telling of such tales.

Find Kayla here: