Modern Hill Woman

A Christmas Carol

At one time celebrating Christmas was illegal.

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and as part of their effort, cancelled all holy days, including Christmas. A total ban was placed on everything festive from decorations to gatherings.

The usual rowdy celebrations during the 12 days of Christmas were deemed unacceptable. Shops were forced to stay open even on Christmas Day. Decorations such as holly, ivy, and other evergreens were not allowed, although some people would hang holly as an act of defiance. Traditions such as feasting and consumption of alcohol were likewise restricted. These government shutdowns of illegal parties led to riots, then rebellions, and eventually to revolution, with Britain and Ireland becoming a republic - all because of Christmas.

The pilgrims who came to America were even more straightlaced and thought Christmas should be observed with strict fasts and rituals. From 1659-1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, with a fine of five shillings for anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit.

After the American Revolution, English customs weren’t popular, including Christmas.

By the end of the Civil War in 1865 Christmas had gone from a relatively unimportant holiday to the opposite-a day rooted in an idealized vision of home. After the upheaval of the war and in an effort to heal our fractured country, Christmas was declared a federal holiday in 1870. After that Americans re-invented Christmas and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia.

Two books greatly influenced the way we celebrate the holidays today. Bestselling author Washington Irving wrote “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent”, a series of stories about Christmas celebrations in an English manor house. Some say Irving actually “invented” our traditions we celebrate today.

Even more influential was “A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens. The story’s message of charity and goodwill struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and helped shape our modern traditions.