By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of ‘Christmas’ had spread all the way to Scandinavia.īut people weren’t so eager to give up their wild celebrations. It is generally accepted by historians that Pope Julius I, the Bishop of Rome from AD337 to 352, chose December 25 th as the day of the ‘Feast of the Nativity’ celebration largely in an effort to adopt and absorb the pagan traditions of Saturnalia.
Yule and saturnalia full#
Much like the Norse Yule celebration, Saturnalia also included extended periods of drunkenness – the festival began the week prior to winter solstice and lasted a full month. The Saturnalia festival, named for the Roman god Saturn, involved much revelry, including feasting, bonfires, decorating with evergreens, and giving gifts. Most people wisely chose to stay indoors to avoid being seen by Woden, who rode an eight-legged horse by the name of Sleipnir and kept company with dead warriors.Īncient Romans celebrated Saturnalia around the time of winter solstice. Woden was terrifying – he was said to fly through the town in the night to decide who would prosper or perish. They honored the pagan god Woden (Odin in Norse mythology) during mid-winter. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire was a sign that a new pig or calf would be born in the coming spring.ĭuring this time, people in Germany were not quite as joyful. These could take as long as two weeks to burn, during which people feasted (and presumably drank copious amounts of grog). In honor of the returning sun, large logs were set afire. Scandinavian history shows that the Norse began their Yule traditions at winter solstice. These celebrations occurred several centuries BC. There was good reason to celebrate –longer days and warmth meant easier access to food. Many of us dream of a roaring fire, the intoxicating scent of pine and cookies in the air, and magical lights dancing on homes enveloped in a soft and sparkling blanket of new snow.īefore early Christians adopted what was then called ‘The Feast of Nativity’ somewhere around 400 AD, celebrations were held in the middle of winter to mark the passing of the ‘darkest days’ and express joy that extended hours of sunlight and warmer weather were coming. Holiday celebrations in history and winter solstice have been tied together for centuries.
Some cultural, some based in religion, most celebrating the love of family and home. That was to see if you’re paying attention.In our home town, we celebrate the Holidays with many traditions. This is mostly adapted from Amazon bestseller Hark! The Biography of Christmas, apart from Yuley McYuleface. So yes, Merry Christmas, and God bless us everyone, but also Wassail, Io Saturnalia, and Yuley McYuleface. As it grew and spread through the centuries like a growing, spreading thing, it gained bits and pieces of Yule, Saturnalia and Merrie Old English wassailing. By the fourth century, Christmas had its date of December 25th papally confirmed. Much of the cider wouldn’t be consumed (although much would), instead being daubed on the oldest apple tree in the orchard, with cries of “Awake from your sleep, tree!”Īs Christianity became THE Roman religion (thanks, Emperor Constantine – he saw the sign of Christ in the heavens before battle, believed, won, and converted the whole empire), Christmas rose and Saturnalia and the other pagan Roman religions went the way of the dodo (which was still very much alive at the time. It was more about hopes for harvest and harking back to nature worship. So in the west of England on “Old Twelvy Night”, farmers would celebrate with a “wes hal” – Old English for “good health”.Īt the turn of the first millennium, “Wassail!” was the equivalent utterance to “Cheers!”, to be responded to with a hearty “Drinkhail!” The wassailing tradition was a crucial part of the farming calendar, and not just because drink and song maketh a mighty fine party. Just like the Norse and the Romans, English farmers hoped for the swift return of the nice weather for their crops. Old England was in love with its trees (anyone who’s been to a National Trust property can testify we still are). So rather than sacrifice animals to old gods, or sometimes even the devil, the locals were encouraged to perform the same actions for the Christian God. When Augustine brought Christianity to bits of Britain around the turn of the 7th century, Pope Gregory the Great wrote to him advising not to replace pagan custom, but absorb it.
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