| Christmas pagan origins have become a popular, if | | | | eventually prevail. |
| controversial topic in modern times. These theories | | | | However, it hasn't been an entirely smooth ride for |
| have been often rejected by Christians, but are | | | | the myriad Christmas pagan origins we've seen so |
| extremely popular topics of conversation | | | | far. Some Christians have taken issue with the |
| none-the-less. So what are the true roots of the | | | | 'heathen' origins of the Christmas tree - the symbol |
| biggest festival on the Christian Calendar? Has it been | | | | that has become synonymous with Christmas itself. |
| as simple a matter as substituting the name of one | | | | The story has it that pagans brought evergreen |
| religion or practice with another? What, if any, are | | | | trees into their homes to represent the fact that life |
| the pagan origins of Christmas? | | | | would return to the land again soon. The fir tree was |
| One thing is a simple matter. We celebrate Christmas | | | | known throughout Northern Europe as the World |
| on 25th December all over the Christian world. But | | | | Tree and was highly revered, featuring in stories and |
| belief in this being the actual day that Jesus Christ | | | | lore of the time. It is likely that this is behind the |
| was born has waned and has been replaced with a | | | | incorporation of the Christmas tree to our modern |
| curiosity as to why this day should have been | | | | celebrations. |
| chosen. After all, it isn't the exactly the nicest time of | | | | Some dispute this, believing it unlikely that the pagans |
| year! | | | | would have participated in something as destructive |
| It seems that this date wasn't randomly chosen at | | | | as this. However, it is certain that the tradition of |
| all, but in fact comes from the pagan celebration of | | | | bringing in greenery, such as holly and mistletoe, to |
| the winter solstice. Known to the Romans as | | | | decorate the home was popular over most of |
| Saturnalia, it was held on the 25th of December to | | | | Europe. |
| mark the end of the long, dark nights of winter and | | | | Such decorations may actually be the crossing over |
| look forward to longer, brighter days. It was | | | | of 2 traditions of pagan origin. It was actually New |
| considered to be the 'rebirth of the sun' - the sun | | | | Year that was known for being celebrated by |
| having conquered throughout the hardships of winter. | | | | decorating the home with greenery and also the |
| To the Germanic people, this was known as Yule | | | | exchanging of gifts so it's possible that this was just |
| (and in old English probably geol) which was originally | | | | 'brought forward' a bit to cater for Christmas Day. |
| celebrated from late December to early January. | | | | One Christmas tradition of pagan origins that hardly |
| When the Julian calendar was introduced, this then | | | | anybody would dispute though is mistletoe - it bears |
| became standardised as the 25th of December. A log | | | | all the right hallmarks! Representing fertility, the |
| was burned on this day to honour the return of the | | | | tradition of kissing under a sprig has changed hardly |
| sun. There is a theory that states that this tradition | | | | at all, but it is oddly considered entirely harmless in |
| was carried out for 12 nights and that this is behind | | | | modern times and has managed to escape being |
| the tradition of the 12 days of Christmas, although a | | | | given an alternative story. |
| more plausible theory suggests that there was a 12 | | | | Believing Christmas to have pagan origins isn't an |
| day gap between the 2 halves (or tides) of the year | | | | entirely modern phenomena either. The English |
| in the Anglo Saxon calendar. | | | | puritans banned it in 1647, for this very reason. But |
| Also worth considering, is that 25th December comes | | | | riots ensued, such was its popularity, and the people |
| exactly 9 months after 25th March. At this time | | | | carried on with their traditional celebrations regardless. |
| spring is celebrated and the land once again becomes | | | | So, what remains of the original pagan tradition |
| rich, abundant and fertile. Christians know this date as | | | | around this time of year? How would you celebrate if |
| Annunciation, the day that Mary was visited and told | | | | you were to go back to the original roots of the |
| that she would soon be bearing Jesus. Similarities here | | | | celebrations? It was customary to decorate the fir |
| hardly need stating! | | | | tree with quartz crystals, dried apples and cranberries |
| So, how did these pagan traditions get absorbed into | | | | as well as to gather family and friends for a feast. |
| Christmas? Frankly, because the people were not | | | | For anyone tempted to over-indulge on the mince |
| prepared to them go. After many unsuccessful | | | | pies, I will leave you with one final Christmas tradition |
| attempts to outlaw the festivities, the Roman | | | | of pagan origins. It is good luck to eat one a day |
| Emperor Constantine decided to amalgamate the 2 | | | | over the 12 days of Christmas, but sadly more will |
| traditions in the hope that the Christian stories would | | | | cancel the good luck out! |