*Once upon a time in America The Truth: Christmas - The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under Americas new constitution. Christmas wasnt declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870. - The History Channel, historychannel Was Christmas celebrated throughout all the colonies? No. The celebration of Christmas was outlawed in most of New England. Calvinist Puritans and Protestants abhorred the entire celebration and likened it to pagan rituals and Popish observances. In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts forbade, under the fine of five shillings per offense, the observance of any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forebearing of labour, feasting, or any such way. The Assembly of Connecticut, in the same period, prohibited the reading of the Book of Common Prayer, the keeping of Christmas and saints days, the making of mince pies, the playing of cards, or performing on any musical instruments. These statutes remained in force until they were repealed early in the nineteenth century. - history.org/, David DeSimone, Another Look at Christmas in the Eighteenth Century (history.org/almanack/life/xmas/xmasqa.cfm) After the Reformation, certain Protestant groups opposed Christmas celebrations. Oliver Cromwell banned them in England. King Charles II restored Christmas when he ascended the throne. In the American colonies, Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, and Presbyterians opposed the festivities, while Catholics, Anglicans (Episcopalians), Dutch Reformed, and Lutherans approved. - factmonster/spot/christmas1.html, David Johnson, Origins of the Christmas Holiday, Worlds biggest festival has varied roots Christmas - In England after the Reformation the observance became a point of contention between Anglicans and other Protestants, and the celebration of Christmas was suppressed in Scotland and in much of New England until the 19th cent. - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001. In fact, the article on Massachusetts Travel actually includes the text of the Boston laws forbidding Christmas. Once Upon A Time, When Christmas Was Banned... For preventing disorders, arising in several places within this jurisdiction by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other communities, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others: it is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shilling as a fine to the county. From the records of the General Court, Massachusetts Bay Colony May 11, 1659… - Copyright 2001-2004 C. Danko, Massachusetts Travel, masstraveljournal/features/1101chrisban.html Furthermore, it should be noted that not only was Christmas banned among Puritans in England and America, but among other denominations as well as Presbyterians under John Knox and in Geneva under John Calvin. (NOTE: It should be noted that the mention of Puritans, Presbyterians and such Church leaders as Calvin and Knox in this segment is not for the purposes of endorsing these persons or any particular points of their theology. As other articles on this website attest, we are most decidedly against the teachings of John Calvin concerning the concepts that have come to be known as Calvinism. However, although we ourselves do not necessarily have regard for these persons, a significant number of those Christians who celebrate Christmas do regard them and their teaching. Our intention here is simple. Because modern Christians who celebrate Christmas admire some of the very Christian leaders who do not celebrate Christmas, they cannot and should not assign a stigma to Christians today who do not celebrate Christmas.)
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 03:23:49 +0000
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