Let’s Look At The Origins Of The Christmas Season
Orginally, it had to do with the pagan Winter Solstice celebrations and Yule Festivals that predated both Jesus and Christianity. It’s believed that the Christian Church although in conflict with pagan beliefs embraced their celebratory season hoping Christianity would reach more people.
The pagan tradition of telling ghost stories in winter has continued for some. It is believed that during the Winter Solstice the dead can easily cross over into the living world — thus the concept of the “darkening of days.” Such beliefs can be traced in many writings of the late 1500’s.
It was during the Victorian Era when telling Christmas Ghost Stories hit the mainstream. It was due to the writings of Charles Dickens and his “A Christmas Carol”, first published in 1843 which kicked off the an annual tradition of releasing ghost stories at Christmas.
This tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve faded after the turn of the 20th century in American. The tradition failed to stay in place and was forgotten and left to Halloween and summer camp outs. America may no longer tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve, but many still do in Europe. However, you can inject some ghostly tales in your Christmas festivities. Embrase the traditions of our ancestors and of the Christmases of old.
