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dancingtongue · 80-89, M
As @checkoutanytime's post indicates, it really wasn't celebrated until the mid-1800s except as a solemn mass, and the more extreme forms of Christianity including the Pope frowned on more festive forms of celebration since they had been co-opted from pagan solstice celebrations in attempts to convert them. Dickens' [i]A Christmas Carol[/i] is based on this conflict of the times, and did a lot to turn it into a festive period of embracing family and friends, of promoting good will towards all men, which is consistent with Christ's teachings to us. It is ironic that the over-commercialization of Christmas in the last 50 years or so is now being embraced by self-proclaimed "true" Christians in a culture war against those who broaden the concept of "good will towards all" to recognize that practically all religions have holidays at this time of year. And Some how "Happy Holidays" becomes an offensive attack on Christianity.
@dancingtongue The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations.
Christmas originated from the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. Christmas was already being celebrated by the Roman Empire and it was a time where they celebrated the winter solstice and the birth of the sun god.
Christmas originated from the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. Christmas was already being celebrated by the Roman Empire and it was a time where they celebrated the winter solstice and the birth of the sun god.