Before Jesus
The name of the Scandinavian celebration of the winter solstice
What is Yule?
The name of the main Roman celebration
What is Saturnalia?
This was the main holiday in early Christianity
This man led the 17th century religious reform in England
Who is Oliver Cromwell?
These authors' stories contributed greatly to how Christmas is celebrated today
Who are Washington Irving and Charles Dickens?
The typical duration of the Norse celebration of the winter solstice
What are 12 days?
Saturn was the Roman god of
What is agriculture?
This group of Christians denied the legitimacy of Christmas as a holiday
Who are Puritans?
This man led the return of the popular holiday of Christmas
Who is Charles II?
The name "Santa Claus" is derived from "Sinter Klaas," a nickname given to St. Nicholas by this cultural group
Who are the Dutch?
The pagan God honored by the Germans
Who is Odin?
The name of the feast honoring the children of Rome
What is Juvenalia?
This man chose December 25 as the official date of Jesus' birth
Who is Pope Julius I?
The celebration of Christmas was outlawed in this city because of extreme Puritan beliefs of the Pilgrims
What is Boston?
Santa Claus' description in this poem made way for the jolly man in red with the white beard and sack of toys we know and love today
What is "Twas The Night Before Christmas"?
The Norse believed each spark from the log represented this
What are cattle births in the coming year?
The Romans believed that Mithra was born of this type of earthly mineral
What is a rock?
This title was given to a beggar or student who would rule over eager celebrants of Christmas
Who is the "lord of misrule"?
The fine to celebrate Christmas in the city that outlawed it
What are 5 shillings?
Donation collectors wearing Santa Claus costumes and ringing bells are part of this organization
What is Salvation Army?
Early Europeans celebrated this in the darkest days of winter
What are light and birth?
Mithra was the god of this
What is the unconquerable sun?
This is often cited as the year of the first recorded Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus
This was the date that Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States
What is June 26, 1870?
Rudolph was made famous by this copywriter in 1939
Who is Robert L. May?