The True Meaning of Christmas = Syncretism Pre-history Dec. 25th is just a day; no known date for the birth of mythical figure Jesus ~4000 BCE Pre-historic astronomers realize shortest day of year is near Dec. 25th 648-330 BCE Persian sun god Mithras’s birthday celebrated on Dec. 25th ~100 BCE-~300 CE Romans celebrate Saturnalia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23; marked by giving gifts, feasts, and fun 274 CE Dies Natalis Solis Invicti Unconquered Sun God’s birthday celebrated on Dec. 25th by Romans ~200-400 CE Germans and Scandinavians celebrate Yule on Dec. 25th ; Yule logs, singing, evergreen boughs 354 CE First mention of Christian celebration of Christmas ~1200 CE Christians adopt Saturnalian traditions, become 12 Days of Christmas ~1500s Father Christmas part of Christmas celebrations, but mostly just a drunk guy 17th Century Protestants ban Christmas; Catholics respond by making it more religious 19th Century British and American authors write about Christmas, creating new traditions Mid 1800s Gift giving is revived, increasing consumerism of holiday Mid 1800s Modern-day Santa Claus created by cartoonist Thomas Nast Late 20th Century Religious fundamentalists decontextualize Christmas; War on Christmas created as part of broader culture war Early 21st Century Secular Humanists create Human Light Day to coincide with Winter Solstice 2008 “Dec. 25th can be whatever you want it to be; religious, secular, whatever. Your life, your meaning.”