Festive Pagan Roots
If you’ve done any reading on the origins of some of the more popular modern holidays, it should come as no surprise that Christmas has roots in ancient pagan celebrations. True, “Christmas” by definition is meant to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the holiday is one of the most important for the Christian religion, but its evolution and many of its associated traditions are linked to pagan rituals practiced before the birth of Christ. It should come as no surprise that aspects of the Christmas holiday have been influenced by older traditions since Christmas continues to evolve in practice and scope from newer influences even today. Seriously, did you really think stockings hung by the fire, flying reindeer with glowing noses, candy canes, gingerbread houses, bellies that shake like bowls full of jelly, fruitcake, and an infatuation with perfectly conical evergreens was all just about Jesus?
Winter festivals and celebrations existed before the birth of Christianity or the holiday now called “Christmas”. Many civilizations have embraced and celebrated this time of year and many of their ancient traditions have inspired the practices of the modern winter time holiday of Christmas. The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the day of winter solstice (in late December) through January. The ”Yule log” comes from the tradition of Norse fathers and sons bringing home a huge log that they would light in recognition of the returning sun and in honor of Thor (god of thuinder) during their Yule celebration. The family would feast until the log burned out (which could take up to 12 days!) and each spark from the log was thought to represents a new calf or pig being born in the coming year.
In Germania, homage was paid to the pagan god Odin with a winter festival. Odin was believed to soar through the sky at night on his flying horse, determining who had been nice (and should therefore prosper) and who had been naughty (and should therefore meet their doom). Children would leave their boots by the fire filled with straw for Odin’s horse. Odin was said to replace the straw with gifts as a thanks for the horse chow.
In Rome, the holidays of Saturnalia, Juvenilia, and the birth of Mithra were celebrated in the winter. Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, began during the week leading up to the winter solstice (sometime between December 17th and the 20th) and continued for a month. During Saturnalia, people celebrated with food and drink as well as by closing schools and businesses and exchanging good luck gifts called Strenae. Halls were also deck for this festival with laurel and green tree garlands and lit with candles. Part of the celebration include reversing the social order (slaves became masters, peasants ruled the city, etc.). A second Roman winter celebration, Juvenilia was a feast honoring children also held near the time of the winter solstice. A third holiday (for both Persians and Romans) was the birth of Mithra (god of light), celebrated on December 25th. Many considered this holiday the most sacred day of the year.
The Persians and Babylonians held a winter festival to celebrate the New Year and fall harvest called Sacaea. The celebration was similar to a Mesopotamian New Year’s holiday called Zagmuck; a 12 day festival to support their God, Marduck, in his battles against monsters of chaos. Sacaea included role reversal as in the Roman Saturnalia celebration.
The Greeks also held a winter festival similar to Zagmuck, Sacaea, and Saturnalia in honor of their god Kronos (god of agriculture). The event was called Kronia and included the role swapping festivities like those of Saturnalia and Sacaea.
