Christmas hasn’t always been about decorations and presents (Picture: Getty Images)
Christmas is upon us, complete with all the festivities, presents, food, drink and general goodwill that we’ve all become accustomed to at this time of year.
But while we’re busy unwrapping presents, watching festive films or tucking into turkey, let’s not forget the origins of the festival – with the purpose of the day, from a religious point of view, being about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Not that the day has always been celebrated in its current form, mind – but just who did invent Christmas as we know it?
Let’s take a look back through history…
Who invented Christmas?
OK, so Christmas as we know it didn’t come into being the second Jesus was born.
It’s not clear that he was actually born on 25 December either.
The first recorded incidence of Christmas being celebrated actually dates all the way back to the Roman Empire in 336 AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine.
Technically, the Romans invented it – although there’s no specific person who is credited with having done so.
There are a number of theories as to why December 25 would have been chosen, with one suggesting that it coincided with the winter solstice.
It also coincided with the ancient Roman pagan midwinter festivals Saturnalia (which honoured the Roman god Saturn) and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the festival marking the solstice).
It’s also thought it might have been chosen as it’s exactly nine months after March 25 – which was originally selected as the date of the spring equinox.
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This date is also cited as the day of God’s creation of Adam, and therefore would have been a fitting date to choose for celebrating Christ’s conception.
Despite the Romans having marked the date, Christmas was a relatively minor affair, and was not celebrated with a specific liturgy until the ninth century.
Celebrations tended to be riotous, though, with binge-drinking, gluttony and other hedonism involved.
Celebrants would often go from door to door threatening vandalism if they were not given food and drink.
Interestingly, though, the legend of Santa Claus doesn’t connect to the Romans – as Saint Nicholas originates from what is now Turkey. Modern-day Santa also has connections to the Dutch.
How was Charles Dickens involved?
This illustration by John Leech featured in A Christmas Carol, which painted a very different picture of the festival than folks were used to (Picture: Getty Images)
Charles Dickens is given some credit for giving us Christmas in its more modern form, thanks to his classic novel A Christmas Carol.
Published in 1843, it became an instant bestseller, and changed people’s view of Christmas, putting emphasis on kindness, being charitable and spending time with family.
The Victorians took his view of the festive season to their hearts, and added new traditions such as the Christmas tree – which was introduced by Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert.
Christmas cards and gift-giving also replaced the excesses of old.
The story was chronicled in the 2017 movie The Man Who Invented Christmas, which starred Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens as Dickens and centred around the writing of A Christmas Carol.
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It goes back a lot further than you might think.
