Analog-Theater 2.0

Before I start my rant, I just want to share a video I stumbled across.

I am sure that many of you have heard at least once the beginning of the second chapter of Luke in the New Testament. Just in case, it goes:
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
You might notice that there are no Christmas trees, Santa Claus, or snow mentioned in that scripture. While this was the birth of Christ and the reason some of us celebrate this holiday season, this was not the first Christmas. In fact, many of the traditions come from even before Jesus was born.
Saturnalia was a Roman holiday that was introduced around 217 BC as a way to increase the morale of the citizens after a major military defeat. The holiday was the celebration of the dedication of the Temple of Saturn. The celebration lasted for a week, from December 17th to December 23rd. As part of this celebration, slaves and their masters switched roles.
Catullus, a Roman poet from the 1st century BC, described Saturnalia as a time of celebration, visits to friends, and gift giving.
During the 3rd century AD, many of the traditions of Saturnalia were adopted by Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, the birthday of the unconquered Sun, another Roman holiday which was celebrated on December 25th.
Sometime in the 3rd or 4th century AD, Christians assigned the celebration of the birth of Jesus to December 25th because the pagans already observed this day as a holiday. They adopted many of the Roman traditions into the celebration of Christmas. The old tradition of children and adults reversing roles on Childermas is perhaps a Christianized version of the Saturnalia tradition where slaves and their masters reversed roles.
Several early Christian writers connected the rebirth of the sun and the birth of Jesus. St. Cyprian, a 3rd century AD bishop, wrote “O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that sun was born…Christ should be born. And John Chrysostom, a 4th century bishop, said “they call it the ‘Birthday of the Unconquered’. Who indeed is so unconquered as Our Lord?”
Christmas can also trace its roots back to Yule, a Germanic winter festival. The Germanic people celebrated by cutting down the largest tree they could find for firewood during the cold winter. This log would burn for a long time while the people would sit inside there warm homes being merry. They would also slaughter pigs or goats to eat during the festival.
The Norse stayed in doors at night during Yule, because they believed Odin rode through the sky at night hunting and it was bad luck to be seen by him.
The actual Christmas celebration was established in the fourth century AD. It was promoted in different areas at different times, however many early Christians celebrated the birth of Christ as part of the Epiphany (January 6th). The importance of Christmas Day gradually increased after Charlemagne was crowed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire on Christmas Day in 800 AD. Then in the 12th century the tradition of the Twelve Days of Christmas began.
The modern Christmas that we celebrate did not come along until much later. In fact, the Christmas our descendants celebrate hundreds of years from now will be different from what we celebrate now.