Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, yet few know the fascinating story behind its origins. Long before it became a Christian festival, many of today’s familiar traditions - from the decorated tree and gift-giving to festive feasts and winter greenery - were part of ancient pagan celebrations marking the winter solstice. In this engaging session, we’ll trace the evolution of Christmas from its pagan roots in Roman and Northern European traditions to its transformation into a Christian and, later, global celebration. We’ll explore how the Church reinterpreted older rituals to align with Christian teachings and how centuries of cultural exchange shaped the customs we now associate with the festive season. The session also delves into art and iconography, examining how artists across eras have depicted the Nativity scene and what layers of symbolism these works reveal about society, faith, and seasonal imagery. Whether you’re passionate about history, art, or simply curious about the stories behind the season, this course offers a rich and eye-opening exploration of how ancient rituals, cultural adaptation, and artistic expression came together to create the Christmas we celebrate today.
By the end of this course, student should be able to:
- Understand the historical origins of key Christmas traditions.
- Recognise the influence of pagan rituals on later Christian celebrations.
- Identify symbolic elements in Christmas art and iconography.
- Reflect on how cultural traditions evolve and intertwine over time.
