The vacation season is simply across the nook, so let’s study in regards to the historical past and Christmas! At the moment we’ll be protecting among the fascinating origins of varied Christmas traditions all all through historical past. This lesson about Christmas is ideal whether or not you’re studying at residence or within the classroom!
Youngsters who love historical past or wish to study historic tradition’s traditions will love studying this text! You may learn this at residence or within the class room, both means your youngsters will get pleasure from studying in regards to the historical past of Christmas traditions!
The Origins of Christmas
Most of the traditions celebrated throughout the Christmas season, corresponding to having a big feast or adorning a pine tree, date again to some outdated, pre-Christian customs from throughout Europe! Many of those traditions had been saved round when varied teams in Europe transformed to Christianity and commenced to have a good time Christmas.
Let’s study all in regards to the origin and historical past of those Christmas traditions!
Roman Saturnalia
Saturnalia was an historic Roman vacation that celebrated the harvest! To have a good time historic Romans would have interaction in feasting and merriment for an entire week! The streets of Rome had been stuffed with all types of events, festivities, and celebration.
When Christianity grew to become the faith of the Roman Empire, Saturnalia and its celebrations had been saved round due to how a lot the Roman folks cherished to get together. Feasts and reward giving had been among the traditions from Saturnalia that will be practiced by Roman Christians, inflicting these traditions to hold on into Christmas traditions. The celebration itself would ultimately morph right into a celebration of Christmas as nicely.
Need too study extra about Saturnalia? Take a look at this text in regards to the historic Roman vacation:
History for Kids: The Roman Holiday Saturnalia
Christmas within the Medieval period
Following within the foot steps of Roman Saturnalia, medieval Christmas was one of many longest and most fun holidays of the yr. The folks of medieval Europe would have a good time Christmas for a complete of twelve days from December twenty fourth to January sixth! Folks would cease working throughout the Christmas celebration and benefit from the celebration.
Medieval Europeans would embellish their houses with all types of winter foliage like holly and mistletoe, which was believed to deliver safety to the house. Xmas logs would even be burned throughout the twelve days to assist have a good time the festivities. Many medieval church buildings additionally held extravagant church providers to have a good time. Everybody would come to benefit from the service, hearken to the choir sing, and have a good time Christmas. Presents had been exchanged as nicely to commemorate the presents of the Three Smart Males to child Jesus.
Feasts can be had by all, and the wealthy members would throw extravagant feasts feating all types of fancy and unique meals. Similar to Saturnalia, the feasts had been a spectacle to behold. Music was performed, acrobats and jesters preformed, and merriment was had.
Origins of Christmas Video
Here’s a enjoyable and academic video in regards to the historical past and origins of Christmas by World Historical past Encyclopedia!
MORE HISTORY FUN AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FROM KIDS ACTIVITIES BLOG
Did you get pleasure from studying in regards to the historical past of Christmas? Tell us within the feedback!
Sources
Cartwright, Mark. “Christmas by means of the Ages.” World Historical past Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org#group, December 11, 2023. Final modified December 11, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1893/christmas-through-the-ages/.
“Christmas.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., December 11, 2023. Final modified December 11, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/matter/Christmas.
Macquire, Kelly. “The Norse Origins of Christmas Traditions.” World Historical past Encyclopedia RSS. https://www.worldhistory.org#group, December 10, 2023. Final modified December 10, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2695/the-norse-origins-of-christmas-traditions/.
World Historical past Encyclopedia. “The Historical past of Christmas by means of the Ages.” YouTube. YouTube, December 8, 2023. Final modified December 8, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBG41ZHLUMM.
