Christmas was originally a kinetic holiday celebrated on various dates throughout the year. The choice of December 25 was made by Pope Julius I in the 4th century, because that date coincided with the pagan rituals for the winter solstice.
The Pope's intention was to replace the ancient celebration with the Christian one. However, there are testimonies that Christmas was celebrated in Rome on December 25, 336. And that day itself was New Year.
Many of the customs associated with Christmas, such as the exchange of gifts, carols, and tree decorations, have their roots in ancient religions.
According to some scholars, Christmas beliefs and traditions are a mixture of remnants of the worship of Saturn (a deity identified with Saturn) and other beliefs mixed with Christianity, to forget over the centuries their original origin.
Customs from all over the world.
In Sicily, villagers tend to draw water from wells at midnight on Christmas and sprinkle it on their animals. They believe that this water is sanctified, because at the same time the Savior of the world is born.
In Sardinia it is believed that whoever is born on Christmas night, and even at midnight, brings God's blessing not only to his own, but also to the neighbors of the seven houses that are closest to his own.
In parts of the former Yugoslavia, housewives sprinkle their tablecloths with wine so as not to embarrass their guests if they get dirty.
In Russia it was customary on Christmas night to dress in white a girl of the house, who pretended to be the Virgin Mary.
In some parts of the UK, the custom of feasting in apple orchards on Christmas Eve is a variation of a pagan ritual. After dark, the farmers go to the orchards, form groups around the older trees and drink beer and sing carols. They shoot at the branches to ward off evil spirits, while until a few years ago they left sweets to soothe the spirits and ensure a good harvest.
In Sweden, at dawn on December 13, "Lucia" -symbol of light-, usually the oldest girl in the house, wearing a long white tunic and a wreath of lighted candles in her hair, leaves home offering hot coffee and cookies while singing old carols.
The legends of Lucia were born in Syracuse around the year 300 AD. In some parts of Sweden, villagers usually throw wheat outside their homes and fields on Christmas day to celebrate with the birds.
Medieval customs.
In Venice, the Doge and the people went on Christmas night to the neighboring island of Agios Georgios to worship the relic of Agios Stefanos. On the beach of the island, Venetian nobles were waiting dressed in black and adorned with jewelry, to welcome the Doge and accompany him to the temple.
After the end of the service, all the glorious entourage entered the gondolas and crossing the waters returned to St. Mark's Square, where a large feast began, which continued until morning.
In Barcelona, in the Middle Ages, the "peacock ceremony" was customary. On Christmas day, the king would take a roasted peacock on a golden platter and carry it to the dining room. In this procession he was followed by a crowd of nobles, servants and bodyguards.
Inside the dining room was the queen. The king offered her the peacock, to distribute it to all who were present. Those who accepted this extraordinary honor were obliged to swear in front of the host that they would try to fight in the war or in the bullfights.
Sources: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ, news.in.gr