Learn more about the history of Christmas celebrations from historian Sean Murphy. The holiday event that is celebrated in Christian parts of the world has a very interesting history. Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Christ. They believed that to do so was a form of pagan idolatry. The main celebration was at Easter to commemorate the death of Christ.Ancient societies celebrated the winter equinox and its observance was deeply embedded in their pagan traditions. In Roman society there was an annual winter festival called Saturnalia. Northern European societies celebrated the equinox in a Yule festival.

Roman Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, in the 4th century. It was then necessary to have a Christian festival at that time of year to replace the pagan festival. What followed was an event to celebrate the birth of Christ that included many of the events associated with the pagan tradition. It is unlikely that the 25th December coincides with the actual birth of Jesus. The biblical descriptions of his birth point to a spring date.

From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings for breaking the law. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.

The presentation will also include some information on the celebration of Christmas in Ireland and will incorporate recorded music and video to create a holiday friendly atmosphere.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Dracut Library and offered in partnership with the Bigelow Library, as well as libraries in Williamstown, Natick, Lancaster, and Shrewsbury. Registration is required.