The History of Christmas
The History of Christmas dates back over 4000 years, and is associated with the early Mesopotamians. Christmas is the most popular holiday of the year in the whole world. About 400 millions people celebrates christmas holiday each year in winter. Many of Christmas traditions and ceremonial aspects were celebrated long time before Christ was born. The history of Christmas is, therefore, way back in centuries.
The Mesopotamians had 12 days of New Year’s festival called the Zagmuk, which was celebrated to help their chief god Marduk in his battle against the monsters of chaos. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monster of chaos. However, the real king was spared and a mock king was slain.
The Babylonians and Persians celebrated the similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of the celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves became masters and masters slaved about as servants.
Much in the same street as Zagmuk and Sacaea, the ancient Greeks had a festival to help their god Kronos in his battle against Zeus and his Titans.
Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the