As we have seen, the countries of the Roman Empire had a special winter solstice holiday on December 25th called "Saturnalia". During Saturnalia, no-one worked except cooks and bakers. It was decreed that "Soldiers must lay down their weapons. All men shall be equal - slave and free, rich and poor, one with another".
People indulged in much eating, drinking and revelry, even to the point of masked revelling (masquerades) and riots on the streets! With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include big festive meals, visiting friends with good wishes for the coming year, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits). Friends also exchanged wreaths made of laurel leaves, the Roman symbol of victory and honour. Peoples sometimes carried small trees trimmed with candles to welcome the sun's return. Buildings were decorated with evergreens, symbols of everlasting sunlight. The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. As in the Persian festival of Sacaea, the masters and slaves would exchange places, with the slaves being free to attend the festival in their masters' clothing.
The Calends of January, the Roman's New Year festival, lasted from January 1st-3rd. This is when Roman officials were sworn into office. Between Saturnalia and Calends, they made one continuous festival.
Saturnalia was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians thought that Saturnalia was an abomination in homage to a disreputable god who had no existence. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia. The Christians were now dedicated to the slow task of converting the pagan Romans.
Next page: How the Church eventually settled on a date for Christmas >>
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