the christians had by then approriaed many pagan festivals and traitions ofthe season,
thet were practiced in many pavts of the middle east and europe,as a means of stamping them out.there were mid-winter festivals in ancient babylon and egypt and germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time.the birth of the ancient sun-god attis in
phrygia was celebrated on december 25th.as was the birth of the persian sun-god mithras.
the romans celebrated saturnalia,afestival dedicated to saturn,the god of peace and plenty,thet ran from the 17th to 24th of december.public gathering places were decorated
with flowers.gifts and candles were exsters alike,calebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.in scandinavia.a period of festivities known as yule contrbuted another impetusto celebration,as opposed to spirituality.as winter ended the growing season.the opportunity to enjoying the the summer's bouty encouaged much feasting and merriment.the celtie culture of the britsh isles revered all green plants,but partieularly mistletoe and holly.these were impotant symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.new chistmas customs appeared in the middle ages.the most prominent
contribution was the carol.which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious obserrance of the birth ot christ in haly.a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity.this is said to have been introduced by saint frarcis as part of his efforts to bring spirtual knowledge to the laity,sainti,days,have also contributed to our christmas celebrations.a prominent figure in tody'a christmas is saint nicholas who for centuries has been honored on december 6th.he one of the forerunners of santa claus.another popular.ritual was the burning of the yuie log.which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegtation fire.as well as being assoeciated with magical and spirtual powers.celebrating christmas has been controversial since its inception.since numerous festivites,they were
grequent frowned upon py conservatives within the church.the feasting.gift-gining and frequent exeesses presented adrastic contasst with the simplicity to the centuries and into true spirit to christmas.the earliest english.refemce to december 25th as christmas day did not come until 1043