Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception.
Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they
were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The
feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast
with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the
centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary
to the true spirit of Christmas.
The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.