 | Now the most widely acknowledged holiday in the world Christmas was once the celebration of the ancient Roman Empire as the shortest day in the year, the winter solstice. It was a month-long festival that began around middle of December called Saturnalia, which celebrated the return of the sun. It included feasting, drinking, masquerades in the streets, and gift giving.
The 25th of December was not only sacred to the Romans, but to the Persians as well.
Celebrating in a similar fashion, the Persians, whose religion was Mithraism, and the Babylonians called their festival the Sacaea. Aspects of the celebration included feasts, and the gift of temporary freedom of slaves; the slaves became masters that the real masters were to obey.
Many present-day Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the birth of Christ. Bright fires, the giving of "good luck gifts," carnivals and parades with floats, singers that went from door to door, and feasts held during this season can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. During this time of celebration, the king would go to the temple of the Mesopotamian god, Marduk, to swear his loyalty and faithfulness.
Centuries ago the people of northern Europe added their own winter festivities to the Christmas celebration. The natural rebirth of seasons was seen through the winter in Yule-log fires and evergreens, used to decorate homes. They named their gift giver Woden; legend had it Woden swept out of the north, bearing gifts for all.
Through the efforts of Prince Albert, British Victorians embraced the event of Christmas with renewed vigor and merriment. They brought to the holiday a revival of the feasting, fellowship, and fun that the Middle Ages had so enjoyed.
Many adults fondly remember Christmas spent at Grandma and Grandpa’s farm. The snow seemed whiter, the trees taller, the days longer, and festivities merrier. There was something special about Christmas in the country: finding the perfectly-shaped evergreen in the forest to chop down and drag back to the house, stringing popcorn and cranberry garland for the Christmas tree, wrapping and hiding enchanting handmade presents of wood, calico, yarn, and ruffles, and the aroma of baked cinnamon goodies, turkey, and hot chocolate drifting through the house.
Innumerable nationalities and cultures that inhabit the concrete environment of the city have added their own flavor to the Christmas celebration. In addition to decorating homes, buying and selling gifts, and family gatherings, there are also tree-lighting ceremonies, traditional theater performances of "the Nutcracker Suite," massive parades, and a seemingly unlimited assortment of festivities and parties.
Early Christians shunned the season’s traditional “revelry,” to celebrate Christ’s birth in a more reverent, solemn fashion. In time, the church gradually began to accept the merriment, bright lights, and festive gatherings as part of their celebration, as well.
To modern day Christians, the unity of family gatherings and the celebration of Christmas is a time to honor and commemorate the birth of Christ; the giving of gifts symbolic of the gift God gave through the birth of His Son.
Even to the secular community, Christmas is time for festivities rivaled by none other. It is a time of goodwill and cheer; a time of family gatherings, gift-giving, special celebrations, and festivities. And to peoples from around the world, it is a time to spread tidings of joy and peace; a celebration looked forward to and cherished, by young and old alike.
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