Christian traditions or something else: Did paganism truly influence Christmas?

It is believed that after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, authorities attempted to integrate existing pagan practices into Christian celebrations. One such example is the date of Christmas itself, which was thought to coincide with earlier celebrations of the winter solstice, reports Live Science.

However, recent research suggests that the influence of pagan traditions on Christmas customs may be overstated.

The "Twelve Days of Christmas," now more commonly known as Koliada, originally referred to the time it took the Magi to reach Jesus after his birth. Early Christian narratives describe this period as symbolizing the revelation of Christ to non-Jewish peoples, with the last day celebrated as "Three Kings' Day" or "Epiphany."

Although this Christian holiday was widely celebrated in medieval Europe, historian Ronald Hutton argues that some associated customs may have pre-Christian Celtic or Germanic roots.

The tradition of Christmas trees, often linked to pagan veneration of evergreen plants, is now interpreted as having Christian origins in medieval Germany. These trees symbolized the Tree of Life in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, and their early representations appeared in seasonal plays.

This custom gained widespread popularity after a depiction of the British royal family celebrating around a decorated tree was published in 1848, featuring Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The association of mistletoe with Christmas seems to originate from 18th century England. While this evergreen plant was linked to fertility and marriage rituals in Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in Norse mythology, the custom of kissing beneath it likely emerged much later.

Some assert that the image of Santa Claus stems from the Norse god Odin. However, Santa's roots are firmly connected to Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop known for his generosity. Although parallels between Odin and Santa exist, most historians associate the modern Santa with Christian and later folkloric traditions.

The choice of December 25th as Christmas Day aligns with earlier celebrations of the winter solstice, such as the Roman festival of Sol Invictus. Some researchers argue that this date was selected to supplant pagan festivities, while others suggest it simply filled a gap in the Christian liturgical calendar.

Finally, while feasting during the holidays may echo ancient traditions, the association of turkey with Christmas dinner is a uniquely American custom. Early European celebrations often featured geese, ducks, or beef. Later, the popularity of turkey increased, and its abundance made it a central element of the festive table.

Understanding the origins of these traditions reflects their evolution through cultural and religious influences. Regardless of whether they stem from ancient practices or are more recent innovations, they continue to bring meaning and joy to holiday celebrations.

We also reported on unique burial artifacts and gold ornaments that archaeologists discovered during excavations at a monument to heroes.