When Christmas was Illegal in America – Rethinking the “War on Christmas” from a Historical Perspective.

The Pilgrims of Massachusetts celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 starting a new American tradition; however, they did not celebrate Christmas.  The Puritans when so far as to outlaw celebrating Christmas in 1659 as a statement to newcomers attempting moved in and push Christmas on to New Englanders.  Christmas was either illegal or simply not observed for nearly the first 240 years of Boston’s founding.   The “Christmas Disavowed” period existed in history almost 100 years longer than Christmas has been a legal holiday in Mass.  Wow.

Why was Christmas off the books for so long in New England?  Puritan Christians viewed the Pagan traditions of Christmas as sacrilegious. Tree decoration, yule, holly, gift giving, mistletoe, and caroling were all Pagan traditions adopted by Christmas.  Puritan Christians wanted nothing to do with this.  Not to mention the gluttony at the dinner table combined with drinking, and worst of all game playing.  

From a polar perspective; people have asked me, “as an Atheist do you celebrate Christmas?”, “what do you say to people who tell you Merry Christmas?”  My response is Dec 25th has been known by many names and has been recognized as a celebration of humanity in the northern hemisphere long before Christianity – Yes I celebrate it, what a wonderful time a year!  Moreover, what do I say when people tell me Merry Christmas?  I say Merry Christmas!  The traditional winter holiday may have been called Yule in Germanic paganism or by other names in Roman paganism, but I live in 21^st century North America, and we call Dec 25^th Christmas.

The traditions of Christmas; taking time out of our busy schedules to spend with our families, to carol, spread the glow, giving gifts, helping others in need, and most of all being humble and thankful – these are all celebrations of humanity.  While the Puritans saw this day as irreverent, the rest of us Christian, Agnostic, and Atheist alike are all enjoying the chestnuts and the shine of lights glittering on the snow.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.