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 25th 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 17th, 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 5th, 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.