There was a time when England felt the need to take action once morest activity deemed “unchristian”.
Every year end a decadent atmosphere took over the public, and something needed to be done, according to the vision of the time.
People displayed excessive behavior, bringing disgrace to the Christian way of life.
Botecos filled with happy crowds, businesses closed early, families and friends gathered to feast on lavish feasts, homes were decorated with commemorative plants, and street singing went on until the wee hours.
What ‘Christmas’ Was Like Before Jesus Was Born
The history and curiosities of Christmas, from gospels and pagan traditions to Santa Claus
It was, in the view of many, sinful. It was regarding Christmas.
“True Christians”
In 1644, the English Puritans – Protestant Christians who believed in very strict rules – decided to abolish Christmas.
The Puritan government considered it a pagan festival, as there is no biblical justification for December 25 to be considered the birth date of Jesus Christ.
All Christmas activities were banned in England until 1660.
On December 25th, shops and markets were forced to open, and many churches had to close their doors. Having a Christmas celebration was illegal.
The ban was not easily accepted. There were protests to regain freedom to drink, be happy and sing songs. And despite resistance, the anti-Christmas legislation was only reversed when Charles II became king.
Even following the fall of the law, many Puritans continued to treat the Christmas feast as a pagan abomination.
Unseen in America
Banquets and celebrations were also frowned upon by Puritans in North America.
And yes, there were also bans on the holiday in some of the colonies that are now part of the United States.
In Massachusetts, for the same reasons as in England, Christmas was banned between 1659 and 1681.
the date question
There is, in fact, no consensus on the exact date on which Jesus was born.
Some theologians argue that it might be in the spring, as there are references to shepherds watching over their flocks in the open field – it is likely that in winter they sought shelter.
It might also be in autumn, if the shepherds were watching the animals in the mating season.
There are clues, but no specific date is given in the Bible.
pagan rituals
Since the time of the Roman Empire, there was a pagan tradition of feasting intensely during a period at the end of December.
It was basically a harvest festival, when gifts were exchanged, homes were decorated, and there was plenty of food. Heavy drinking was also part of the spirit of the party.
According to historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, early Christianity had to compete with the fun that pagan traditions provided socially.
The Romans gradually abandoned paganism and adopted Christianity. In this transition, the Christian calendar ended up appropriating the pagan calendar.
For a time, the Romans celebrated both traditions. At the end of the 4th century, pagan and Christian rituals coexisted for 14 days in December.
But not without some conflict – and, in the end, the Christian party emerged victorious.
“Cleaning”
The Christmas War in the 17th century was an attempt by the Puritans to “erase” what they considered vestiges of a pagan heritage.
But it’s clear from the size of Christmas celebrations around the world that they lost the fight.
As Christians around the world feast beside a decorated tree and enjoy a glass of wine, they are continuing a tradition that is well over 2,000 years old.
This text was originally published in December 2018 and republished following updating.
BBC
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