In ancient Rome, Saturn was the god of agriculture, and thus the name Saturnalia for its festival. From as early as 217 BC there were public Saturnalia banquets. (though it likely started earlier as a farmer's festival at the end of the planting season) From a week before the winter solstice and lasting a month, Romans ate and drank and threw the social order out of whack. Schools and businesses closed and, more surprisingly to us today, slaves and peasants were masters of the city. Juvenalia was also celebrated at the time, to honour children. Further, Mithra, the god of the ‘unconquerable sun’, was celebrated on December 25th and for many Romans the more important celebration.

Christmas, or the ‘mass of Christ’, as we know it is relatively recent. The term comes from Old English Cristes maesse, “Christ’s mass” (first written in 1038).

For early Christians, Easter was celebrated, not Christmas. It wasn’t until the 3rd or 4th Century Common Era that officials decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Pope Julius I chose December 25 as the date of the celebration, which historians suggest was done in an attempt to absorb Romans who celebrated Saturnalia into the Church. Who wanted to give up a good party? It was referred to as the ‘feast of the Nativity’. In England, it was first noted as ‘Christ’s Mass’ rather than "midwinter’s mass.” Choosing December was likely a strategic time. Shepherds wouldn’t be tending their flocks in winter, right? By the end of the 8th Century the celebration had spread as far as Egypt, England and Scandinavia. Greek and Russian orthodox churches celebrate 13 days after December 25th, as they believe the three kings would have arrived in Bethlehem and found Jesus at that time. They call the celebration ‘Epiphany’ or ‘Three Kings Day’.

Celebrating over the winter solstice gave the church a greater chance for the population to embrace Christianity. It is true that by the Middle Ages in Europe Christianity had replaced most pagan beliefs. 

Still, after attending church on Christmas, many Europeans would go out on a drunken binge, and in some places even chose a local beggar to be the ‘lord of misrule’ and subject themselves to their whims. In others, the poor would go to the homes of the wealthy to demand food and drink, and pull pranks if not properly satiated. This was deemed some form of paying a debt to society.

In England, Christmas carols such as “Deck the Halls” and “Here We Come A-Wassailing” were in style. English author Charles Dickens had a profound influence on the upper classes with his social commentary of society in A Christmas Carol. This moved those in the upper classes of England and America to think more about charity and goodwill, and suggested value in celebrating Christmas.  

Interesting fact: At one point in the medieval period, at church people would break out in song while dancing in a circle - this is what ‘caroling’ is. The church banned singing in the house of God and kicked them out into the streets, where people were singing from house to house.

Like many of the modern traditions, the fashioning of Christmas trees is very recent. (though in ancient Rome people did decorate homes with pine wreaths and lit festive candles)  In the 16th Century, fir wreaths were decorated with 24 candles from December 1st until the 24th, but eventually limited to 4 for the weeks of Advent. It was recorded in Renaissance times that fir tree branches were placed in homes. In Strasbourg, France as early as 1605 fir trees decorated with apples were placed in homes. The first use of candles on trees is recorded in 1611. (imagine 24 candles on a fir wreath) It is suggested that this may be the origins of the modern Christmas tree. The Germans are credited with first bringing them indoors. In the 1840s and 1850s, English Monarch Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are credited with popularizing the tradition of setting up a tree and putting gifts under it for children, which before was generally limited to Germany and Slavic nations. 

Curiously, Riga, Latvia or Tallinn, Estonia lays claims to the first Christmas tree. There is some evidence for this, through the northern merchant group Brotherhood of Blackheads recording a description of what could have been a Christmas tree as early as 1510 or 1514. One German story suggests that the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, is said to have brought a tree into his home and lit it with candles after a walk in the woods. The snowy glitter of the trees reminded him of the stars and Heaven. There is no scholarly evidence for this, though it is a widely-known story.

The appearance assigned to him in early popular culture was very much that of a Christian bishop. One story tells of his saving three young girls from prostitution by secretly throwing bags of gold through an open window, to be used for their dowries. (on a third visit the father caught him in the act and thanked him) Another was his prayer bringing three murdered boys back to life. A further account says he saved three young men falsely imprisoned and sentenced to death.