Festive Feuds: A Historical Look at Attempts to Cancel Christmas

Christmas, a beloved holiday celebrated worldwide, has not always been met with joy and merriment. Throughout history, this festive occasion has faced numerous challenges, bans, and attempts to eradicate it altogether. From religious reformations to political ideologies, the reasons behind these “wars on Christmas” have varied, but the outcome has often been the same – a temporary suppression of the holiday’s traditions and celebrations.

Religious Reformations and the Cancellation of Christmas

One of the most significant factors behind the historical cancellation of Christmas was the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. As Christian denominations split from the Catholic Church, many viewed Christmas celebrations as tainted by pagan influences and lacking biblical foundation.

The Scottish Reformation’s Lasting Impact

In Scotland, the Presbyterian Church’s rejection of Catholic traditions led to the cancellation of Christmas in 1640. The Scottish Parliament passed a law banning “Yule vacance” (Christmas vacation), effectively outlawing the holiday’s festivities. This ban remained in place for over two centuries, with the Church discouraging Christmas celebrations even after its formal repeal in 1712. It wasn’t until 1958 that the Scottish people were officially granted a public holiday on December 25, allowing them to fully embrace the holiday once again.

England’s Puritan Prohibition

Across the border, England experienced a similar fate under the rule of Oliver Cromwell’s Puritan government. In 1644, an ordinance declared Christmas a day of “solemne humiliation” rather than celebration, citing the need to remember sins and avoid “carnall and sensuall delights.” This ban was further reinforced in 1647, with penalties imposed on those attending Christmas church services or engaging in festivities. It wasn’t until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that the English could freely rejoice in the holiday once more.

The Puritan’s Passage to America

The Puritan’s distaste for Christmas extended across the Atlantic, with the General Court of Massachusetts passing a law in 1659 that fined anyone caught “forbearing of labour” or “feasting” on December 25. This ban, rooted in the belief that Christmas lacked biblical justification and had pagan roots, was eventually lifted in 1681, but the holiday wouldn’t become a federal observance in the United States until 1870.

Political Ideologies and the Secularization of Christmas

In addition to religious motivations, political ideologies have also played a role in the suppression of Christmas celebrations throughout history.

The French Revolution’s Renaming of “Dog Day”

During the French Revolution of the late 18th century, Christianity itself came under attack. An atheist group known as the Cult of Reason went so far as to rename Christmas “Dog Day” (Le Jour Du Chien), reflecting the revolutionaries’ disdain for the holiday’s religious connotations. Midnight Mass and other traditions were forced underground until Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power in 1799, which allowed for the resumption of public celebrations.

Stalin’s Soviet Suppression

In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin’s staunch atheism led to the outright cancellation of Christmas in 1929. December 25 was declared a working day, and the decorating of evergreen trees was prohibited. It wasn’t until 1935 that the secular elements of the holiday, such as Russia’s version of Santa Claus (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter (Snegurochka), were reintroduced, albeit without religious overtones. To this day, Russia celebrates the New Year with many Christmas-like traditions, while the religious aspect is observed separately by Orthodox Christians on January 7.

Nazi Germany’s Pagan Rebranding

Under Adolf Hitler’s rule, Germany witnessed a significant transformation of Christmas traditions. The Nazi regime sought to distance the holiday from its Christian roots, emphasizing its supposed pagan origins instead. Swastikas and military decorations replaced religious ornaments on Christmas trees, and the lyrics of carols were altered to remove religious references. A new carol, “Exalted Night of the Clear Stars,” was even introduced to further spread Nazi propaganda.

Fidel Castro’s Cuban Crackdown

In Cuba, Fidel Castro’s revolutionary government banned Santa Claus in 1959, deeming the figure a “recent importation and foreign to our culture.” Instead of receiving gifts from Santa on December 25, Cuban children were told to expect presents from the Three Wise Men on January 6, the feast of Epiphany. Ten years later, Castro took his war on Christmas a step further by banning all celebrations altogether to prioritize the sugar harvest. It wasn’t until 1997, in anticipation of a visit from Pope John Paul II, that Christmas was allowed to be celebrated once more in Cuba.

Conclusion

While the reasons behind these historical “wars on Christmas” may have varied, the underlying themes of religious reformation, political ideology, and cultural preservation remain consistent. From the Puritan’s rejection of pagan influences to the Soviet Union’s embrace of secularism, these attempts to cancel or reshape Christmas reveal the complex interplay between tradition, belief, and societal change.

Today, Christmas is widely celebrated across the globe, transcending religious boundaries and embracing a rich tapestry of cultural traditions. However, these historical examples serve as a reminder of the resilience of human spirit and the enduring power of cherished customs, even in the face of opposition and suppression.