Natasha Johnson, age 11, of Forest Park, Georgia, for her question:
How did Christmas originate?
From the beginning, Christmas has been a happy season of loving kindness and bright lights. But this year our man made lights are dimmed. And wouldn't you know it, a comet arrives! What's more, during this Christmas season some folks will see a solar eclipse, others a lunar eclipse and all of us have a chance to see the mayor planets lined up in a row, which is a very rare event. Could be these celestial events are trying to tell us that extravagant man made lights are not necessary to the true spirit of Christmas.
All over the world, Christians celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus on 25 Christmas Day. But some folk may tell you that this is the wrong date, that nobody knows exactly when Jesus was born. But what really counts is the warm kindly spirit of Christmas. And actually this seasonal celebration is thousands of years older than the Christian Era.
It goes back to some of our early ancestors who had a great respect for the changing seasons. Around June 22 they observed the longest day of the year with an elaborate midsummer festival. Around 21, they observed the shortest day of the year with an elaborate midwinter festival. This get together was very popular because it brought a break in the dreary winter season. Friends and relatives gathered together from afar. The villages were lit up with flaring torches. Great logs blazed in the hearths for roasting wild boars, fat geese and other foods fit for the feast.
Calendars were developed by star gazers and in many lands early astronomy was associated with pre Christian religions. Hence, the seasonal festivals were partly religious affairs. Some communities paid their respects to sacred plants, such as the mistletoe. Others brought indoors great boughs of evergreens and bright berries.
As Christianity spread through Europe, the previous religions were frowned upon and most people were glad to renounce them. However, they were very reluctant to give up their merry old winter festival. And even in those days, there were wise folk who knew that the best way to get rid of an old custom is to change it into a new one.
So the old reason for the mid winter festival was changed to become a Christian celebration. And because it had been such a joyous event, everybody agreed that it was just right for a celebration of the birth of the Baby Jesus. Most of the old trimmings, the greenery and the feasting were kept, plus many of the happy old customs. Through the years other customs were added, including Santa and the exchanging of Christmas presents.
Even when our Christmas lights are dimmed we shall enjoy most of the old customs that go with the season. What's more, dimmer city lights will give us a better chance to see our Christmas Comet and the bright planets. Who knows, we may spot something else up there in the heavens, perhaps something about the true spirit of Christmas which has nothing to do with flossy trimmings of those colorful man made lights.