Christmas has always been a magical holiday in America, or has it? It is hard to believe a United States of American not celebrating Christmas. No matter how hard people try, it is almost impossible to separate Church and State.
This is an old argument with hundreds of different solutions. When the pilgrims or the English separatists came to America in 1620, they actually outlawed the holiday. From 1659 to 1681, Christmas was also outlawed in Boston, and anyone who tried to celebrate this world holiday was fined five shillings.
On the other hand, around the same time in the Jamestown settlement,which is now the state of Virginia, Captain John Smith claimed that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. It has also been recorded that the first cup of eggnog was introduced in Jamestown and was a big hit with its main ingredient being rum. Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
Our founding fathers had a hard time accepting and keeping alive British customs. They tried to cut off all ties to the British, and on December 25, 1789, Congress was still in session.
All over the world the Christmas holiday is celebrated in one form or another. Sweden claims, “God Jul!” Finland says, “Hyvaa Joulua!” Norway, “Gledelig Jul!” Germans like to yell out, “Froehliche Weihnachten!”
Most everyone has heard the Mexicans say, “Feliz Navidad!” France claims, “Joyeux Noel!” Italy says, “Buone Natale!” The Ukraine says, “Srozhdestvom Kristovym!” And in Greece, it’s “Kala Christouyenna!”
No matter where this holiday is celebrated, everyone still understands it as a great day with lots of eating and drinking, and the British and American claim “Merry Christmas!