History of Christmas

The crib or manger first appeared in medieval Italy. The invention of the crèche has been attributed to St Francis of Assisi and dated to 1224. The nativity scene became an integral part of Christmas over much of Europe.

In England and Scotland in the early or mid-seventeenth century the ruling Puritans attacked any holidays not dedicated to the Sabbath and denounced Christmas celebrations as pagan. In 1642 Oliver Cromwell tried to do away with Christmas so Christmas was driven underground. Charles II reign brought more liberal times and Christmas lived although in a quieter fashion and normally celebrated in the home.

Around 1836 interest in Christmas blossomed in England and America. Charles Dickens wrote his story ‘A Christmas Carol’ starting in early October 1843 and finished at the end of November. The book was published on 17 December 1843 and immediately sold out. The writing of this book helped revive the traditional idea of Christmas and throughout the Victorian area this Christmas revival grew…