As we know Christmas day is 25th December. But it is generally known that this wasn’t exactly the real day on which Jesus was born. Choosing the 25th of December allowed early Christians to put this celebration with existing pagan ones during the cold dark winter months.
The early years of Christianity and Christmas concentrated on the birth of God’s son, God on Earth, and what it stood for. The prophecies coming true, a new era, a new way of life. Something for everyone and a way to live, with the promise of everlasting life. This progressed into celebrations, singing and dancing. Some of which led Cromwell to cancel Christmas when he took over the country. Thankfully, this didn’t last long and after a few years Christmas was re-instated.
It re-invented itself during the Victorian era, in particular through the writings of Charles Dickens and the influence of Prince Albert.
In the modern era the emphasis appears to be moving away from the birth of Jesus and Christianity to the more materialistic and commercial elements we find today. Father Christmas could be seen to be taking over from Jesus. It could be argued that there is a struggle between the two making this an important time for Christianity.
Even the songs of Christmas have changed. A version of Carols was first sung around the 4th century and developed over the coming years, becoming more popular during the Victorian period. These were nearly all about the birth of Jesus. Nowadays these songs are still sung in churches and by carol singers, however the more popular tunes and songs of the present time seem to refer more to present giving and receiving, relationships between lovers and spending family time together.
Where will Christmas be a hundred years? Not that I will be around to see. The struggle continuing, Father Christmas and his presents winning, Jesus making a comeback or Christmas disappearing.
Man on a bike. 