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| The Examination and Trial of Father Christmas, (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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Today many conservatives like to declare that multiculturalism has declared a war on Christmas.. Retailers no longer use MERRY Christmas in their advertising, schools have holiday shows and not Christmas pageants, Kwanzaa competes for recognition in the public eye along with Hanukkah and Christmas . Yet, it was there philosophical and theological cousins the Puritans that first declared war on Christmas in America. It took a long time and the power of consumerism to bring us is beloved Christmas.
Christmas in the first days of America was a regional occurrence. If it was recognized at all depended on where settlers came from in the old world. Early settlers who were Anglican tended to recognize the holiday. Puritans and separatist reflected the attitude of the Protestant Reformation in 17th century England. They saw no strong scriptural evidence of December 25 25th being Christ’s true birthday. They also recognized the connection of many Christmas traditions connection to paganism. Christmas was seen as a time where sinners drank and ate to excess. The diary of Gov. Bradford of Plymouth colony gives a description of Christmas in 1621 as a day of work designed to discourage any inclination programs pilgrims would have to celebrate.
Christmas as a holiday was banned in the Massachusetts colony from 1659 two 1681. Laws discouraging Christmas celebrations were written with laws downing at banning such activities as gambling. The fine for holiday feasting and drinking was five shillings.
Finally there was an influx of other intermittent image grants other immigrants to New England. The Massachusetts anti-Christmas law was repealed in 1681. More religious moderates, saw a religious value in Christmas celebrations. The first Christmas service in Massachusetts, were held in the Boston had town hall in 1868. Christmas however, remained at work town remained a workday for its citizens. Christmas was not an official holiday in Boston until 1856. Children attended school on Christmas day in Boston up until 1870.
Other settlers in early America had different ideas about the appropriateness of the Christmas holiday. In Virginia, the Cavaliers observed Christmas. The more affluent classes in Virginia, celebrated Christmas with feasting and decorating homes with greet with evergreens. Dutch immigrants in New York, brought traditions such as their version of Santa Claus, Sinter Klaas with them. The Germans brought the tradition of the Christmas tree into communities that they settled in in the early 18th century.
An English Christmas was still not popular after the American revolution. America had great diversity in its appreciation of Christmas. Celebrating Christmas had been a downfall for opponents of the revolution. Passions Hessian troops that were stationed in Trenton New Jersey took Christmas off as was the German tradition. In 1776 on Christmas day, they were surprised by Gen. Washington. This was a major turning point in the American Revolution.
The closest thing to an English Christmas was probably the traditions kept by 18th century Anglicans in Virginia Anglicans celebrated the date activities during Advent which was seen as a time of cantons December 20 fiefs myth was not considered a movable feast with was the start of the festive season. The 12 days of Christmas lasted until January 6 and was called 12th night or the Epiphany colonial Virginians generally held balls and parties on the 12th night. It was also considered a great time for marriage no one took special notice of New Year’s Day as 12th night 12th night seemed to cover the need to of knowledge a new year.
Christmas all in all was a dismal holiday for those who did not have money or social standing. Sometimes in the more liberal colonies provisions would be made for the poor to help them survive the harsh winters of colonial America. At best even those of Germanic descent, could only enjoy a brief respite from the need to work constantly in order to survive in the new land.
Christmas in the first days of America was a regional occurrence. If it was recognized at all depended on where settlers came from in the old world. Early settlers who were Anglican tended to recognize the holiday. Puritans and separatist reflected the attitude of the Protestant Reformation in 17th century England. They saw no strong scriptural evidence of December 25 25th being Christ’s true birthday. They also recognized the connection of many Christmas traditions connection to paganism. Christmas was seen as a time where sinners drank and ate to excess. The diary of Gov. Bradford of Plymouth colony gives a description of Christmas in 1621 as a day of work designed to discourage any inclination programs pilgrims would have to celebrate.
Christmas as a holiday was banned in the Massachusetts colony from 1659 two 1681. Laws discouraging Christmas celebrations were written with laws downing at banning such activities as gambling. The fine for holiday feasting and drinking was five shillings.
Finally there was an influx of other intermittent image grants other immigrants to New England. The Massachusetts anti-Christmas law was repealed in 1681. More religious moderates, saw a religious value in Christmas celebrations. The first Christmas service in Massachusetts, were held in the Boston had town hall in 1868. Christmas however, remained at work town remained a workday for its citizens. Christmas was not an official holiday in Boston until 1856. Children attended school on Christmas day in Boston up until 1870.
Other settlers in early America had different ideas about the appropriateness of the Christmas holiday. In Virginia, the Cavaliers observed Christmas. The more affluent classes in Virginia, celebrated Christmas with feasting and decorating homes with greet with evergreens. Dutch immigrants in New York, brought traditions such as their version of Santa Claus, Sinter Klaas with them. The Germans brought the tradition of the Christmas tree into communities that they settled in in the early 18th century.
An English Christmas was still not popular after the American revolution. America had great diversity in its appreciation of Christmas. Celebrating Christmas had been a downfall for opponents of the revolution. Passions Hessian troops that were stationed in Trenton New Jersey took Christmas off as was the German tradition. In 1776 on Christmas day, they were surprised by Gen. Washington. This was a major turning point in the American Revolution.
The closest thing to an English Christmas was probably the traditions kept by 18th century Anglicans in Virginia Anglicans celebrated the date activities during Advent which was seen as a time of cantons December 20 fiefs myth was not considered a movable feast with was the start of the festive season. The 12 days of Christmas lasted until January 6 and was called 12th night or the Epiphany colonial Virginians generally held balls and parties on the 12th night. It was also considered a great time for marriage no one took special notice of New Year’s Day as 12th night 12th night seemed to cover the need to of knowledge a new year.
Christmas all in all was a dismal holiday for those who did not have money or social standing. Sometimes in the more liberal colonies provisions would be made for the poor to help them survive the harsh winters of colonial America. At best even those of Germanic descent, could only enjoy a brief respite from the need to work constantly in order to survive in the new land.
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