During the transition from pantheons of gods to modern trends of monotheistic mythologies, many traditional pagan observances were morphed to fit explanations that suited the new religious orders.  Pagan holidays were traditionally organized around solstices, equinoxes, and the four half way points between them. In the video series Pagan Origins of Christian Holidays we examine the history of Halloween, Christmas, and Easter–including their historical pagan precedents. The first video is a look at Samhain and how the Catholic Church coopted multiple traditions to invent All Saints and All Souls Days leading to modern Halloween.

Saturnalia was an ancient Roman holiday lasting most of a week that peaked on December 25th. Masters and servants switched roles in a celebration that was full of loud public drunkenness. In 350ce one of the early popes named Julius had enough of this pagan celebration and declared that “our lord too was born on December 25th” in an attempt to coopt the holiday as the most special time for Christians. Christmas then combined with at least four other regional celebrations to finally morph into the traditions and “Coca Cola Santa Claus” we know and love today. Even though December 25th has nothing to do with Jesus’ birthday, the short days of the winter solstice are a great time to have a festival with lights.