Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. The history of Christmas trees goes back to the symbolic use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome and continues with the German tradition of candlelit Christmas trees first brought to America in the s.
Discover the history of the Christmas tree, from the earliest winter Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd Long before there was a Grinch who stole Christmas, there was Krampus, the devilish half-man, half-goat that helps out jolly St.
Nicholas by stuffing naughty Austrian children in sacks and dragging them to hell. Yes, the true history of Christmas is as colorful Some date back to 16th-century Germany or even ancient The War on Christmas begins around the same time each year, when stores start peddling plastic Christmas trees and giant Santa Claus inflatables. Depending on which media talking head is speaking, the war is either a subversive effort by left-wing liberals to erase all traces of Today in the United States, leaving out a plate of cookies Oreos and classic chocolate chip are popular choices and a glass of milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve is a well-established tradition among children.
According to one theory, the The pious Puritans who sailed from England in to found the Massachusetts Bay Colony brought with them something that might seem surprising for a group of devout Christians—contempt for Christmas. In a reversal of modern practices, the Puritans kept their shops and schools From leprechauns to the color green, find out how symbols we now associate with St.
Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. England: 'Happy Christmas! Recommended for you. How the Troubles Began in Northern Ireland. Christmas at the White House. Saint Nicholas. History of Christmas Trees. Christmas Becomes a Holiday. The War on Christmas. History of the Christmas Carol. History of Christmas Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon.
History of Christmas Trees The history of Christmas trees goes back to the symbolic use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome and continues with the German tradition of candlelit Christmas trees first brought to America in the s. Christmas History Facts and Trivia Long before there was a Grinch who stole Christmas, there was Krampus, the devilish half-man, half-goat that helps out jolly St.
The War on Christmas The War on Christmas begins around the same time each year, when stores start peddling plastic Christmas trees and giant Santa Claus inflatables. When Massachusetts Banned Christmas The pious Puritans who sailed from England in to found the Massachusetts Bay Colony brought with them something that might seem surprising for a group of devout Christians—contempt for Christmas.
See More. The term " Yuletide " refers to the Christmas season. Initially, a Yule log was the trunk of a tree that played an integral part during the winter solstice celebrations. The Yule log-burning tradition involved bringing a Yule log into a home and placing the large end inside the fireplace to feed a fire that would last throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Lighting the Yule log was a symbol of the sun's return after the winter solstice.
Families believed that the log would protect their homes from fire and lightning—in some cultures, families kept the remaining burned log underneath the homeowner's bed. Families used the log from the previous year to light the new one, and, once lit, the log had to burn for 12 days. Burning the Yule log accumulated many rituals , which varied from culture to culture throughout Europe. However, you had to source a yule log yourself.
Buying a yule log was unlucky since, in many cases, sourcing a yule log was a family tradition. Wanted to have a prosperous year as a log-less new household?
Better source a yule log from your own land! Sir James G. Frazer , the author of The Golden Bough , believed that burning the Yule log originated in early Northern European beliefs from the 4th century, which drew a parallel between the oak tree and the god of thunder.
The evidence of this? Oak is the most commonly used wood for Yule logs and the belief that burning the Yule log protects a house from lightning.
Others believe that the Yule log had a purely practical origin. To survive the northern European cold, families dragged large logs into their homes and kept them burning for days.
It was only natural that they encoded the practice in rituals. Over time, different variations of Yule log burning developed throughout Europe. In some countries, burning the Yule log remains a solemn occasion up until today. In many Christian households, rituals such as lighting candles maybe in a 'log' candle holder take the place of the Yule log, but without the beliefs that surrounded the custom. To this day, many of the customs surrounding Yule are an integral part of modern Christmas celebrations.
The integration of Yule customs into Christmas was mainly due to the celebrations' coinciding dates and other influences.
For example, Haakon the Good of Norway declared that everyone should have ales with a measure of grain during Christmas. After the Reformation , many Christians became apprehensive about incorporating the pagan customs into their Christmas celebrations, and burning the Yule log became one of these traditions. Today, burning the Yule log is mostly an outdated custom, especially in America. Modern homes don't all have fireplaces, and finding logs can be challenging, especially for those living in metropolitan areas.
In short, we can't just head into our backyards to fell trees anymore. Napoleon Bonaparte also played a role in the decline of the Yule log. During the early s, Napoleon noticed that burning logs indoors made people ill , and he objected to the custom. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; a large log is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve.
For others cultures, the Yule log is defined as a log-shape chocolate cake enjoyed as a Christmas dessert. Skip to main content. By Catherine Boeckmann. December 15, What do you want to read next? Christmas Day Christmas Facts and Trivia. Plants of the Winter Solstice. Christmas Firsts: The Origins of Why We Gather During the Worst
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