Channel Christmas History traces out the real history of Christmas from Pagan celebrations to the re-invention of Christmas in the modern times. Centuries before the advent of Jesus Christ the early Europeans rejoiced during the winter solstice.
The early Romans marked the solstice with a feast called Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the God of agriculture. The Persians also deified Mithras, the savior God of the warriors. In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday.
In ancient Babylon December 25th was celebrated as Yule Day or Holy Child Day as Yule signified infant. On this day the incarnate sun appeared as a baby boy to redeem the world from darkness. The Scandinavian Norse also celebrated the Yule festival during this time. The Christmas customs such as decorating a house with greenery, exchanging gifts and enjoying festive medleys originated from these pagan festivals.
According to the records of Channel Christmas History, Germany first introduced the tradition of Christmas trees in the 16th C. Martin Luther decorated the first Christmas tree with candles to entertain the children. In America the first Christmas tree came into being during 1830. But later on most Americans denounced it for its pagan origin.
The Protestants of England during the Cromwellian Government also rejected the Christmas trees and carols as heathen traditions. A law was enacted to penalize the public observing Christmas. This continued until the languishment of the Protestant legacy. In 1846 Queen Victoria and her German husband Albert greeted the Christmas tree traditions and popularized it throughout England. Fanciful tree ornaments also emerged during this time.
Christmas Tree Ornaments reached America around 1880by an American retailer F.W Woolworth. In 1973 theAmerican Hallmark Company first launched the Keepsake ornaments that revolutionized the Christmas ornaments industry. The twinkling electric lights of dancing colors of red, blue and green added extra luminance and mesmerized the Christmas celebration.
To delve deeper into Channel Christmas History put a glance on the articles of Christmas Carnivals
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