The True Meaning of Christmas Syncretism Prehistory Dec

The True Meaning of Christmas = Syncretism Pre-history Dec. 25 th is just a day; no known date for the birth of mythical figure Jesus ~4000 BCE Pre-historic astronomers realize shortest day of year is near Dec. 25 th 648 -330 BCE Persian sun god Mithras’s birthday celebrated on Dec. 25 th ~100 BCE-~300 CE Romans celebrate Saturnalia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23; marked by giving gifts, feasts, and fun ~1200 CE Christians adopt Saturnalian traditions, become 12 Days of Christmas 354 CE First mention of Christian celebration of Christmas ~200 -400 CE Germans and Scandinavians celebrate Yule on Dec. 25 th ; Yule logs, singing, evergreen boughs 274 CE Dies Natalis Solis Invicti Unconquered Sun God’s birthday celebrated on Dec. 25 th by Romans ~1500 s Father Christmas part of Christmas celebrations, but mostly just a drunk guy 17 th Century Protestants ban Christmas; Catholics respond by making it more religious 19 th Century British and American authors write about Christmas, creating new traditions Mid 1800 s Gift giving is revived, increasing consumerism of holiday 2008 “Dec. 25 th can be whatever you want it to be; religious, secular, whatever. Your life, your meaning. ” Early 21 st Century Secular Humanists create Human Light Day to coincide with Winter Solstice Late 20 th Century Religious fundamentalists decontextualize Christmas; War on Christmas created as part of broader culture war Mid 1800 s Modern-day Santa Claus created by cartoonist Thomas Nast