The So Called "War on Christmas." Behind The Traditions of Christmas and Winter Solstice

A month or so ago, I found this post (one of those copy and paste things,) on one of my friend's pages:

"WHAT A CROCK OF S**T..... We can't say Merry Christmas now we have to say Happy Holidays. We can't call it a Christmas tree, it's now called a Holiday tree? Because it might offend someone. If you don't like our "Customs" and it offends you so much then LEAVE I will help you pack. They are called customs and we have our traditions. If you agree with this please post this as your status!! I AM A PROUD AMERICAN CITIZEN... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Do you have what it takes to repost this?"  

This made me irate and a little amused at the same time. The ignorance of this statement is just screaming out in its stupidity. First off, I see "Merry Christmas" everywhere I turn. And if someone wishes me "Happy Holidays?" I don't go nuclear on them. I wish them the same. Someone was kind enough to wish me a good holiday out of the kindness of their hearts. Who cares if it's referred to as "Happy Holidays?" Is it really worth the anger and indignation? And to act that way, doesn't that go against basic Christian beliefs? And really? Is this how you really want to celebrate the birth of your Savior?

Christians will be the minority sometime in the 2030s. The reasons for the decline is the major loss of the mainline Liberal compensated by the rise in the Conservative. Contributing are the influx of immigrants who are Buddhist, Hindu, and Islam. Finally, there has been a rise of Agnosticism, Atheism, Humanism, Freethinking, Secularism,  and an increase in new religions such as New Age or Wicca. Finally, Native Americans are turning back to their ancestral and traditional religions. On top of all that is the over-commercialization of Christmas that focuses more on the material instead of the reason why we observe December 25th.


Modern Christmas in the western hemisphere, unless it is directly related to the celebration of Jesus' birth, is based on Pagan customs and traditions. Even down to the decorations in the church, minus the Nativity, was adopted by the Church from the religions of lands they conquered.

In a history, far, far away and mostly forgotten, our Church became the official religion of the Roman Empire and became powerful enough to defeat weaker countries and, for their own immortal souls, the Church forced conversion on anyone not Christian. However, not everyone wanted their souls saved. But we were a wiley people, we were. At first it didn't work out like we thought. Those heathens still celebrated their unholy practices. And then we had an idea. Early Christians, in their zeal to convert anyone who wasn't Christian, as stated, created Christian holidays around important Pagan celebrations and adopted those traditions, obscuring the truth of where those customs originated from. In other words, most of our customs around holidays like Christmas or Easter have their origins in Pagan beliefs and rituals. Finding a place to stick Christmas in was easy. Since they gained power in the Roman Empire, they chose a time when there were three celebrations: Saturnalia, Solstice, and celebration of the sun god Sol Invictus.  

Saturnalia, a festival that lasted for seven days, included human sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, public banquets, private gift-giving, and a carnival atmosphere. It lasted from December 17th-23rd. Winter Solstice, a holy day for many religions, is also the shortest day of the year. After that, light increases. It is believed that the reason for the increasing light is that Jesus was born.

What pretty much every historical and religious scholar can agree on is that December 25 is not when Jesus was born. The Bible never mentions a date. It doesn't take away the meaning of Christmas or any Christian beliefs. It just didn't happen in December. 

Under traditions started by the Church many centuries ago, a great deal of our Christmas traditions are actually Pagan traditions. In fact Christian Christmas traditions lean heavily toward the Pagan traditions so much so that agnostics, atheists, pagans, wiccans, and more practice those traditions right along with us.  

The commercialization of Christmas has gotten out of hand! Pretty soon, stores will be offering Christmas deals 365 days a year. Christmas has become about giving - and keeping. "Donate to this charity and get a free t-shirt." People should be donating money because it is  something meaningful, not because of free merchandise (that free swag having been paid for by someone else's donation.) Businesses are offering a gift card for you when you purchase a certain amount in gift cards. There are people camping outside of stores for days for Black Friday deals. To get the perfect gift, people crowd outside malls and all run in at once where many are trampled. Fights break out, some are killed, and some are fighting over certain items - where one person grasps the item right out another's hand. This is not Christmas, it's greed. But there are other traditions that we celebrate, and their roots go back to Pagan times and beliefs. Here are a few. 

1. Gift giving: This is thought to have come from the Three Wise Men who bestowed valuable gifts on the Baby Jesus. Actually, the origins are found in Saturnalia (among others.) Private gift giving was a Roman custom, and the gifts were usually wax dolls, to represent the humans sacrificed for Saturn as payment for a good harvest.

2. Hanging Christmas stockings: There are actually two reasons for this custom. One is from the 4th Century when Bishop Nicholas (later to be St. Nicholas,) in Lycia, collected donations for impoverished children. He thought that children should be enjoyed and treasured, despite the fact that many of them at that time, even those under the age of ten, had to work to help support the family. Gifts of food, furniture, and other things were collected. St. Nicholas himself added oranges too...a very rare treat. But where to put those gifts? Having observed girl's stockings hanging in front of the fire to dry, he came up with stuffing stockings and hanging them in front of the fire.

The second is Pagan. Scandinavian children would leave shoes out full of carrots and straw for Odin's horse, Sleipnir. The mythical horse ate the food, and the grateful Odin would leave candy and treats behind.

4. Wreaths: A symbol of power since ancient Rome and Greek, they often wore them in the style of laurels as crowns. A practice they stole from the Etruscans. They connected the laurel wreaths to the sun god Apollo and considered it an embodiment of him. Christmas wreaths' predecessor, the Harvest Wreath, which has been used before written history, played a part in rituals for good harvests. They were usually made out of evergreen, which would survive the harshest winters and as such, symbolized strength and endurance. Current Christian beliefs hold that it means everlasting life and resoluteness, and are often used at important times, most notably funerals and memorials.

5. Christmas Tree:: Like wreaths, Christmas trees began with Pagans, and represented everlasting life and mettle. The worship of trees was very common with Druids (the priests of Celts) and Pagans. They were known as "Yule Trees" and symbolized an everlasting life, especially at the time of the Winter Solstice. These were live trees that they worshiped, not cut down, and they would be decorated with trinkets. It also held the same values for several in many cultures, including Chinese, Hebrew, and Egyptians.  Most Christian denominations looked down on Christmas Trees, and indeed, it wasn't until 1840, when Queen Victoria brought one into her house, that they were even considered the norm. Today many Pagans decorate their Yule Tree outside using food for animals to eat.

6. Mistletoe and Holly: Like everything to do with plants during the Christmas season, mistletoe and holly came from Pagan traditions. As plants that grow in the winter, they were often brought into the home to decorate during a holiday. Mistletoe  especially has a long history. To ancient Celts, it represented sexuality, fertility, and bounty. But the tradition to kiss under mistletoe actually began with Scandinavian Pagan beliefs. The gods Odin and Frigg had a son that they loved very deeply named Baldur. In fact, he was so loved, that Frigg sought out promises from everything, including trees, stones, sickness, and the elements that they would never harm him. The fire god Loki, however, noticed that Frigg never sought a promise from the mistletoe. Baldur became the victim of a dart poisoned by mistletoe. After his tragic death, Frigg was determined to not allow mistletoe to be associated with death, and she started kissing everyone who passed under it.

For Pagans, holly represented color and hope during winter when all the deciduous trees had lost their leaves and adorned their houses during Winter Solstice. Holly showed that even though the days are dark, and the world colorless, spring was just around the corner and the color will be back. Druids even believed that brewing its leaves to treat a wide range of illnesses, including arthritis, bronchitis, and kidney stones. After the Winter Solstice, when Druids went out to get mistletoe, their people would follow them with holly in their hair. The red of the berries was seen as the menstruation of their goddess. And finally, they placed mistletoe around their doors during the winter to keep evil spirits out and to provide shelter from the cold for the tiny woodland fairies.

Christian belief about holly is that the plant reminds them of the Crucifixion. The plant was the crown of thorns and the berries, which were once white, are red with the blood of Christ, and even that holly was the Crucifixion tree. And finally, one that has to do more with Christmas, that holly grew all around Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in order to hide them from Herod's soldiers. In gratitude, holly has remained evergreen ever since.

7. Santa: Obviously, the origins of the Christian version, holds that it was St. Nick, the very same that gave presents to poor children. But there are many others that contributed to what is Santa today. There is the Dutch Sinterklaas. He knew if you were naughty or nice, and had little elf helpers called Zwarte Piet. He even wore red and white. And if the child was bad? Zwarte Piet's duties included punishing such children with willow canes and jute bags. He doesn't travel in a sleigh with eight reindeer but arrives on a steamboat from Spain wearing a Bishop's hat. Another influence from 17th century was the British Father Christmas. He represented Christmas joy and rejoicing. Odin even comes up as an influence. He and his eight-legged horse Sleipnir left candy in boots after Sleipnir had his snack. (Leaving Christmas cookies for Santa?) Each country has their own "Santa" traditions so the Santa we believe in is uniquely American.

We can't talk about any holiday around this time without discussing the Winter Solstice, as a lot of current and former religions still observe it. For us, it is the first day of winter, and the shortest day of the year. After it has passed, the days start to get longer. It represents Jesus' birth, as each day after increases in light. To Pagans, the world is still in darkness, but the passing of the Solstice marks the turning of the sun, and celebrations from every period of time and most cultures are held for the coming light and the cyclical nature of seasons. 

In pre-Christian times, there was the Feast of Juul (Yule,) from Scandinavian times at the Winter Solstice. Celebrations included pyromania...just kidding. It involved bonfires, to symbolize heat, light, and the properties of life that occur with the returning sun. A log (the Juul/Yule log) was brought in and put on the hearth to honor the Scandinavian god Thor. They kept a piece of the log throughout the year for luck and to use as the kindling for the next year's Juul log. In Germany, England, France and other European countries, they burned their Yule log until nothing but ash remained. They would collect the ashes and either keep it for medicinal purposes, or kept in a charm or strewn into fields for fertilizer for the Twelfth Night. French peasants placed the ashes under their beds to protect the houses against thunder and lightning.

Saturnalia, briefly mentioned above, is another holiday that was held during the Winter Solstice. It began on December 17th and lasted for seven days. The festival reversed characterizations - masters served their slaves, courts, schools and businesses were closed, Quarrels were forgotten, and wars were even halted during this time and masquerades were often held. It was common to give presents of imitation fruit that represented fertility, dolls that represented the human sacrifices made to the god Saturn, and candles reminiscent to the huge bonfires held at Winter Solstice. A mock king would be appointed by slaves and criminals, and though he could do what he wanted for seven days, he was usually killed at the end. Eventually, all forms of civility disappeared, and it was nothing but a week-long crime spree where anything went.

On December 21st, many Christians celebrate St. Thomas' Day, in honor of Doubting Thomas of the Disciples. In Guatemala, Mayan Indians worshiped their sun god long before on that date. They celebrated in a ritual called the Polo Valdore. Three men would climb 50-foot poles, and while one played the drums and flute, the other two wrapped a rope attached to the pole around their ankles and jump. If they land on their feet, it is believed the sun god would be pleased and the days will get longer.

Winter Solstice is still observed to this day. In Poland, ancient Winter Solstice is observed by sharing food and forgiveness. It continues to this day, but now it is called Gody. In Northwest Pakistan, the Kalasha or Kalash Kir celebrate Chaomos, a week-long celebration, during the week of Winter Solstice, where they take ritual baths for purification, banquets, dancing, singing, chanting, a torchlight procession, and bonfires.

Winter Solstice is still celebrated by Pagans, Druids, and Wiccans. Yule is the time to spend with family, exchange gifts, and honor the sun. Houses are decorated in red, green, and white - colors sacred to Druidic beliefs. Yule is usually celebrated with light (it is one of eight solar holidays.) This includes meditating in a dark room with lit candles, singing Pagan carols, burning a Yule log, placing an evergreen wreath decorated with herbs on your door, and putting up a Yule Tree, with Pagan related ornaments. And don't forget the lights! Thousands of Druids gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise and cast a line to connect the altar stone, slaughter stone, and heel stone. Other gathering places are Newgrange in Ireland and the Cerro del Gentil pyramid in Peru.

Christmas and Winter Solstice aren't the only holidays observed. Because of the Solstice, it seems most religions celebrate something during this time. Here are some of the holidays celebrated between November 1st and January 31st: November: All Saint's Day (Catholic,) All Soul's Day (Catholic,) Dia de Los Muertos (Mexican,) Nativity Fast (Eastern Orthodox,) Thanksgiving (Secular.) In December: Bodhi Day (Buddhist.) Advent (Christian,) St. Nicholas' Day (Catholic,) Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic,) St. Lucia's Day (Catholic,) Longest Night (Solstice,) Christmas Eve/Day (Christian,) Anastasia of Sirmium Feast Day (Catholic,) Mawlid (Islam) Twelve Days of Christmas (Christian,) St. Stephen's Day (Christian,) Feast of the Holy Innocents (Catholic,) St. Sylvester's Day (Catholic.) Pancha Ganapati (Buddhist.) Malkh (historical,) Modraniht (Saxon Winter Solstice.) Hanukkah (Judaism,) Yule (Paganism,) Yaida (Secular.) Boxing Day (Christian,) Kwanzaa (African American,) New Year's Eve, Hogmanay (Scottish New Year's Eve Celebration,) Dongzi Festival (Chinese Winter Solstice,) Unitarian Universal - Chalica (Unitarian Church) And in January: New Year's Day. Orthodox Christian Christmas (Eastern Orthodox,) Orthodox Christian New Year (Eastern Orthodox,) Solemnity of Mary - Mother of God (Catholic), Twelfth Night (Catholic,) Epiphany (Christian,)  Tu Bishat (Judaism,) Lohri (Punjabi.) 

In the former colonies now known as the United States of America, the celebration of Christmas depended on the religion that people followed. People may have been moving to the colonies so they could practice their religion but also brought the same controversies with them. Puritans, Quakers, Anabaptists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Mennonites, Amish, and others rejected Christmas in their communities, fining five shillings to anyone that was caught. They took the Bible literally and the only observance mentioned there is the Sabbath. It was also considered an abomination for the same reasons I talked about above. It was smack dab in the middle of Pagan holidays and as far as they were concerned, Christmas itself was not created to celebrate Jesus' birthday but for feasting, drinking and other debauchery. But there were religions who did celebrate it. Anglicans (or Episcopalians,) Lutheran, Roman Catholicism, and the Dutch Reformed were some that did - by feasting, drinking, and other debauchery. It was not particularly a religious holiday. However, we can thank them for planting the seeds for Christmas in America. Score one for my family's Southern Comfort Punch!!   

Christmas wasn't declared a Federal Holiday until 1870, so before that time, government offices and schools were open and Congress was in session, even in 1789, the first Christmas under our newly Constituted country.  That is 118 years where Christmas was not an observed holiday in our country! 

Once viewed as a raucous carnival holiday, in the mid-1800s, it was Americanized into a peaceful, family oriented day. But before the Civil War, Christmas celebrations were divided between the North and South as well. The North looked down on celebrating it, thinking Thanksgiving to be more important. However, in the South, Christmas was a big part of their calendars. The first states to pass laws that made Christmas legal holidays were Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Plantations opened up their doors for balls, feasting, and debauchery and made gifts for poor children and for slaves, who were usually given some time off. By the end of the 19th Century, Christmas was widely celebrated throughout the country.

Our country is a melting pot of cultures from all across this world, and I'm sure that each religion that I talked about is represented here, in this country. THAT is our culture and traditions. The Church stole from many traditions in order to make sure that people who they forced into conversion celebrated it. Back then, the Church didn't try to bring people to the Lord through proselytizing, they brought people to the Lord at the tip of a sword. Then they took local holidays and turned them into major Christian holidays. That has always been a fact. What is also a fact that this country, from its very beginning had Christian denominations who would've gladly taken up the War on Christmas - and not on the side of Christmas, either. 

There is one thing I've noticed while writing and researching this. The thing that is in common with the ancient Pagans and our Christmas today...it's about light and hope. It is about renewal, whether that is the renewal of longer days bringing us closer to Spring, or if it's about the birth of a baby born to this world so that he may sacrifice himself to save all people. It is a time when people are more generous, more loving. It is a time for celebration. Take out all the commercialism and that is what you are left with. Whether Pagan, Wiccan, or Christian, we all act the same in our celebration, it's just on different days and for different beliefs. The magic of both our respective holidays is the same.

So there is no way that there can be a "War on Christmas." And instead of focusing on other people's beliefs, maybe we should look at our beliefs. Maybe then we will find out that it is the most ridiculous and petty thing to think there is a "War on Christmas" in a country that grants every person here the right to practice whatever religion they want. Christmas is a time of love, acceptance, and peace. Instead of focusing on what other people believe, focus on that and make someone's life better because of it.