Did You Know? Facts, Figures & Folklore about Christmas Dec 17 :
08 days till Christmas Did you know that the Roman’s celebrated
a festival in mid-December that is believed to have inspired
many of our Christmas traditions? Their festival was called
Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January
1st. With cries of “Jo Saturnalia!” the celebration would
include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting
friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae. The
Romans would also deck their halls with garlands of laurel and
green trees lit with candles. The Early Christians wanted to
keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious
holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan
Saturnalia. But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the
continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among
their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of
celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided
that the celebration would be tamed