History and Traditions of Christmas

Jessica Mazzone
Ever since I was a little kid we always did the same thing every year for Christmas and of course when I was little I didn’t understand the aspect of doing the same thing every year or the meaning of tradition. All I knew was that Christmas was when we went to Grandma and Papa’s house and opened presents from Santa. When we were little we were always told that Christmas is also the day Jesus was born so it was a day to celebrate his birthday and during Christmas Eve mass we would watch the story of his birth.

So how did Christmas become about both Jesus and getting presents from Santa? Well for starters every family has different traditions that developed over the years, but these had to come from somewhere. Everyone knows the story of the birth of Jesus with Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem in need of a place to stay. All the INS were full and they ended up staying in a manger with their baby. From this we get the nativity scenes that are put up outside of churches and in their houses. So this story explains where we get the traditions of going to church on Christmas Eve, but where does everything else come into play.
There have been celebrations around the world since before the birth of Jesus as a sort of celebration of light and birth through the darkest days of the year. They celebrated at the end of December when the worst days of the winter were over and they could bring in the longer lighter days of the year. Christmas became the official name of the holiday during the middle ages and was then outlawed in England when Oliver Cromwell took over. When Charles II took the throne back Christmas was restored. After the pilgrims came to America Christmas was not widely celebrated and anyone celebrating the holiday was fined five shillings. It wasn’t until after the American Revolution while Congress was in session on December 25, 1789 that the first Christmas took place. After that it wasn’t declared an official holiday until June 26, 1870.
You are probably wondering what about the big guy in the red suit? Well he first came about in 280 AD in Patara a city in Asia Minor. He was first known as Saint Nicholas and now today everyone from little kids to the elderly knows him as Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was known as the gift giver, delivering his gifts late at night. Saint Nicholas was originally a priest who became a bishop. He did not like to be seen when he delivered gifts so the children went to bed early or else they were told he wouldn’t come. The original St Nicholas was imprisoned for his beliefs for more than five years, upon release he continued in his ways until his death on December 6, 343. Over the years Saint Nicholas became very popular and people made up many new stories about him and therefore creating the Santa Claus we have today.
Good luck on your finals, enjoy the holiday’s with your families and have safe travels. See you all next semester!