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Just where and when did the observance of Christmas begin?  Records vary, but the best estimates indicate that it may have been as late as the mid-4^th century before a specific date was set for the observance of the birthday of Christ namely, December 25, by Julius I, Bishop of Rome.  The date selection probably has less to do with historical accuracy than with the prevalence of other festivals taking place at that time of year.

To the Romans of the Empire, December 25 was, according to the Julian calendar, the winter solstice.  It was the birthday of the unconquerable sun and was believed to be the time when it began rising with new vigor after its autumnal decline.  It therefore seems most likely that the Christians sought to replace the celebrations of the sun with that of the Savior.

However, citizens were not thoroughly prepared to relinquish some of the existing customs. For instance, the Romans celebrated the agricultural festival of Saturnalia from the middle to the end of December.  It was a time of feasting, dancing and indulgence.  Rather than wholly abolish these rituals, the Church successfully “Christianized” them…it divested them of their unacceptable features, and incorporated them into the Christmas celebration.

This merging and transformation of celebrations goes a long way toward explaining the exchanging of gifts, feasting, use of greenery and decorating with candles and other types of lights.  It also helps explain the origins of the Christmas Yule Log…formerly a symbol of the hearthfire at the center of family life.