The end of the year is fast approaching, which means ’tis the season for good feelings, sentimental moments, and extravagant deals on things you may not need—or even want. Yes, the holiday season has a way of helping people forget what’s wrong with the world and simply enjoy a brief period of bliss.
However, Christmas was not always the warm, festive celebration we know today. In fact, it has a surprisingly dark and chaotic past. Long before it became synonymous with family gatherings and gift-giving, Christmas was a disorderly and, at times, destructive holiday. And while we like to believe those elements are long gone, some traces still linger.
The earliest ancestors of Christmas can be traced back to the Roman Empire and the festival of Saturnalia, a celebration filled with food, drink, gambling, music, and even cross-dressing. In Scandinavia, a similar festival called Yule marked the return of the sun, featuring massive bonfires and feasting that lasted until the flames burned out.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no historical evidence that Jesus was born on December 25. Scholars have suggested possibilities ranging from spring to summer. The date was ultimately chosen by Pope Julius I in the 5th century as a way to replace pagan winter festivals—particularly Saturnalia—with a Christian celebration. Given that the winter solstice occurs in late December, the choice was strategic rather than random.
Christmas took a particularly unsettling turn during the Middle Ages. On Christmas Day, a beggar or student would be crowned the “Lord of Misrule” and lead crowds through wealthy neighborhoods, demanding food and drink or threatening violence. Around this time, St. Nicholas, a 4th-century figure, became associated with gift-giving, though his feast day originally fell on December 9—well before Christmas Day.
In the 17th century, religious reform swept through Europe, and Christmas was temporarily abolished in 1645 under Puritan influence. The holiday was restored when Charles II reclaimed the English throne, but the controversy didn’t end there. In colonial America, Christmas was outright illegal in Boston from 1659 to 1681, with anyone celebrating fined five shillings.
By the 19th century, Christmas began its transformation into the gentler holiday we recognize today. The Dutch legend of Sinterklaas merged with St. Nicholas to form the modern Santa Claus, popularized by Washington Irving and Clement Clarke Moore, author of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Around the same time, German immigrants introduced the Christmas tree to America—a tradition once considered strange.
In 1819, Irving’s The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. helped redefine Christmas as a family-centered holiday. His stories emphasized unity across social classes, portraying Christmas as a peaceful time that brought people together regardless of wealth or status. Combined with waves of immigration and the influence of Catholic and Episcopalian churches, Christmas evolved into the cultural blend we celebrate today. It officially became a U.S. federal holiday on June 26, 1870.
So—allow me to change your mind.
Let me be clear: I enjoy the modern version of Christmas. It’s a wonderful time to gather with family and reflect on the year. That said, I still have a few gripes—starting with the giant white elephant in the room: Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
While I understand the appeal—finding the perfect gift and seeing the joy it brings—the chaos surrounding these shopping days is hard to ignore. The extreme lengths people go to in order to secure deals can be overwhelming and, at times, dangerous. There have been real reports of people being injured or killed over popular items (Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmo come to mind). In a strange way, it echoes the chaos of the Lord of Misrule—just replace food and drink with flat-screen TVs.
For me, though, the most challenging part of the holiday season is the emotional pressure. If you don’t outwardly display “Christmas spirit,” you’re quickly labeled a Grinch or a Scrooge. This is especially difficult for introverts—myself included—who need quiet time to recharge between social events. Meanwhile, extroverts often thrive during this season, gaining energy from every invitation and sometimes poking fun at those who opt out.
There are many reasons someone may not feel festive right away. Students may be finishing exams, others may feel stressed about gift-giving, or some people simply need time to themselves. Declining an invitation doesn’t mean someone hates Christmas—it just means they’re honoring their own needs.
So this year, I encourage a little patience and understanding. Respect those who need space, and remember that the holiday spirit looks different for everyone.
Before I go, I want to share that I won’t be publishing an article next week—or possibly the week after. If that’s the case, I’d like to say, from me and everyone here at Osprey Village:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See you in 2026.
Sincerely,
John Huber
