The Unlikely Journey of Christmas to National Holiday Status in the United States
Mark Twain once noted that Christmas was a holiday that would not go away. For early American colonists, however, it was hardly a celebration at all. The widespread observance of Christmas in the United States did not crystallize into a national holiday until 1870.
Religious Observances and Holiday Proclamations
Early Americans were Bible believers whose religious observances centered on Bible holy days, such as Easter and Pentecost. Christmas, with its origins in pre-Christian pagan traditions, was often regarded as a pagan celebration that was best avoided. This perspective was reflected in the coat of arms of America, where the figure of Lady Columbia is depicted sans a wattle or mistletoe—a symbol of characters who celebrated pagan festivals in early American culture.
George Washington himself was not a partisan of Christmas celebrations. The infamous ''Crossing of the Delaware'' painting, often used as a symbol of colonial and revolutionary spirit, shows him performing a surprise attack on the drunken British soldiers who were celebrating Christmas in 1776. It was a sleigh, not a boat, that brought dust and rum, rather than a celebration of Easter shelves.
Early Recognition and Secularization
It wasn't until the late 19th century that Christmas began to gain acceptance across the American South, known as the Bible Belt today. Even then, many Christian groups continued to either ignore or downplay the holiday.
The US Supreme Court's decision in County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989) was a significant moment. Here, the Court unequivocally declared that Christmas is a secular holiday, separate from religious connotations. This decision, while controversial, marked the culmination of a gradual process where Christmas, as a cultural event, separated from religious origins.
National Proclamation and Federal Acceptance
The actual declaration of Christmas as a national holiday occurred in 1870. Prior to this, federal holidays in the United States were quite sparse. The first four federally designated holidays were created in 1870, specifically for New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. In 1880, George Washington's Birthday was added to the roster.
The logic behind this decision was multifaceted. Despite the constitutional principles of freedom of religion, it was recognized that Christmas had secular as well as religious dimensions. Thus, by proclaiming it a national holiday, the federal government sought to acknowledge its importance without implicating it in any one religious tradition.
Modern Observance and Pagan Origins
Today, symbols like Santa Claus, reindeer, trees, and holly wreaths are ubiquitous but were not part of early Christian practice. The commercialization of the holiday, with its mass marketing and corporate involvement, is a modern phenomenon that emerged later.
The journey of Christmas from a controversial celebration to a celebrated national holiday reflects the dynamic nature of American culture. While the Bible remained a central text for many, the spirit of Christmas gradually evolved into something that could be cherished by a diverse populace, transcending religious divides.
Thus, the story of Christmas in the United States is one of evolution, acceptance, and cultural fusion—a journey that continues to shape our collective holiday traditions.