Christmas - popular today, once forbidden in some place

The date of Christmas is of pagan origin. In ancient Rome, the birthday of the sun god «Sol Invictus» was celebrated on December 25 because this day was considered the winter solstice at the time. The early Christians then adopted the date for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. And as early as 336, December 25 is documented as a Christian holiday. For a long time, this date was regarded as Christmas Day, until the reformers appeared in the 16th century. They remembered its pagan roots and rejected it in principle. In any case, Christmas was banned in Geneva and Scotland in the 16th century.

It was considered particularly significant because the sun would shine longer again and people who were once heavily dependent on nature could hope for warmer times and fertile fields. This is why the winter solstice embodied life and resurrection. Today it takes place on December 21 or 22. But in the past, according to the Julian calendar, it fell on December 25. This is why people not only celebrated the birthday of the sun god on this special date. Rather, the birth of Jesus and thus the Christian Christmas festival was also celebrated on this date.

In England, Christmas not only included church services, but also dancing, drinking and gambling. Parliament therefore issued a Christmas ban in 1647. This was no longer enforced after 1660, but the festival did not experience a revival until the 19th century. This also applies to the USA. In areas with Presbyterians, Mennonites, Puritans and Quakers, Christmas was not celebrated until the 19th century. Then the Christian denominations became friends with it after all - and the European Protestants did so well that they introduced the Advent wreath and Christmas tree.

In England, Christmas is always and above all party time, as it is in Japan, even though Christmas is not an official holiday there. In Poland, one more place setting than required is often laid out as a sign of hospitality. In South America, presents are delivered to homes by the baby Jesus, the «old shepherd» or Father Christmas via a ladder or even a trampoline. And in Finland, Joulupukki brings the gifts while his wife Joulumuori cooks the best Christmas porridge. Speaking of dates: Coptic and Russian Orthodox Christians don't celebrate Christmas until January 7 according to the Julian calendar.