Christmastime is the happiest time of year for some people, but it’s not that old of a holiday. Find out the origins of Christmastime, some Christmas lore, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Sleigh bells are ringing, Christmas trees are lit, people are singing Christmas carols, and the holiday season is in full swing. There was a time when Christmas didn’t exist- but other holidays that are far older, and just as sacred did. Join SpiritualBlossom as we explore the origins of Christmas and some of its lore. Discover exactly what Christmas is, and the surprising origins of the holiday. Find out the meaning of some Christmas lore and some Christmas Superstitions. Find out the true spiritual meaning of the holiday- and it’s not how much you can eat, decorate, or receive! For some people, Christmas is just another day, but for others it is one of the most important days of the year. Read on to discover why.
What is Christmas?
Christmas is a holiday that's on December 25th every year. Unless you're an Orthodox Christian, that is, and it's January 7th. For some people, Christmas is one day, and for others there are 12 days of Christmas, each day having its own spiritual meaning. Billions of people around the world observe the holiday and it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than just spending the day in church celebrating the religious aspect, people around the world have a lot of secular celebrations that they observe. They partake in singing Christmas songs, eating special Christmas foods, and decorating their homes, businesses, gardens, and various public places.
For those who observe Christmas as a season instead of just one day, the season can last 12 days or longer. For groups like Roman Catholics, the Christmas season starts on Advent, or November 30. Candles are lit each week to observe the four weeks before the birth of Jesus is celebrated, and different prayers and liturgies observe certain events the New Testament of the Bible wrote about. It also focuses on the belief Christ is supposed to be coming back to earth for his followers. For others, Christmas starts on Christmas Day and there are 11 more days of the season, the final day being on Twelfth Night, or Epiphany. For Western Catholics that day is January 6. For Orthodox faiths, that day is January 19, and the Epiphany is celebrated as the day Magi visited Jesus, or his baptism.
One of the biggest observances of Christmas, however, is buying things. DemandSage online reports that in 2025, American consumers are projected to spend over $1,600, but some said they will spend over $6,000 on the holiday. Most of that spending is set to be on gifts, but others will spend on entertainment, and travel as well. Gifts, food, and decorations top the list of things people reported plans to spend on, and at the bottom of the list, people said they would spend money on party supplies for Christmas. They also reported that in 2023, Americans spent over $ 1 trillion combined. In general, it was estimated that many spent over $900 on the holiday, or the equivalent of a whole week worth of wages. Read more here: How Much Money Is Spent on Christmas (2025): Updates Statistics
The Origin of Christmas
Christmas is thought by some to have completely originated in Christmas times, but history tells us something different. The people of the lands early Christianity rose from had their own holidays in winter, surrounding the Winter Solstice, and these holidays were carried over by early Christians. Some of these people were Romans, others were Celtic, and still others were Germanic.
Sol Invictus, Saturna, and Mithra
The date of December 25 was one near and dear to ancient Romans long before Christianity. It was the birth of their god Mithra, the god Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun. Saturnalia ran from December 17- 23, and there were chariot races, feasting, and all fun times in honor of the god Saturn. Revelry ruled, and a week of public parties, intoxication, and reversal of the propriety of societal norms ruled. Schools and workplaces would be closed so everyone could partake in the festivities. Masters would serve their slaves lavishly, gambling reigned, and various small gift exchanges happened.
The god Mithra was worshipped in groups of initiation and sworn dedication, and in underground sanctuaries that were small and not as lavish as huge temples to some other gods. Mithra was originally an Iranian god, but a vast amount of worship of him was in Rome. Since there are few writings left from the Roman worshipers, nobody knows exactly what the worshipers there did. It is known that the Mithraic groups died out from pressure by early Christianity, and some of the aspects of him were absorbed into Christianity. The birthdate of this god became the birth of Jesus, both gods were called “Everlasting” in their scriptures, and both Mithra and Jesus were said to protect against all evil. Even if you don’t worship Mithra, you can ward off evil yourself. Find out how here: What’s a Demon? The Truth About Wicked Spirits
Sol Invictus, or the Invincible Sun was said to be born at the time of the Winter Solstice, on or around December 21. His worshipers had their celebration in ancient Rome on the 25 of December. The Emperor Aurelian established the official holoday of this god in AD 274, and called it Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Years before that, calendars listed this as the birth of the sun, but Aurelius established it as an official holy day. This god was a revival of an older god, Sol, a sun god, and represented the empire of Rome. His birthday celebration included gifts, feasting, and a general festive environment complete with chariot races.
Yule
Yule is a Germanic holiday celebrated in Pre-Christian times, and in modern times as well. Animal sacrifices were observed to butcher fresh meat for attendees at feasting, and offering the blood of the animal to gods was done. This blood was then used to bless temples and people for the holiday. It coincided with the Winter Solstice and was a time people came together to worship their god Odin, a god of many names, one of which is a root word Jol- which Yule came from. Freyja and Freyjr, fertility deities were worshipped at this time and a boar, or pig was sacrificed to them. To this day, ham or pork is served at some Christmas celebrations.
Today, yule is still observed. It is said that during Yule, Odin unleashes and leads something called the Wild Hunt, a gathering of the souls of the dead through the sky, and one humans avoid, lest they be dragged to their deaths by the spirits. The fertility of women is celebrated, supernatural winter beings are respected and pacified, ancestors are respected, charity and giving are observed, magic, thankfulness, and divination are observed, and a general tone of thankfulness and a connection to the old ways is the theme. Odin is a god of the battlefield, but some were gods of peace. Read about deities of peace here: Athena and Other Gods and Goddesses of Peace
Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice celebrations are done around the world, not just in Germanic and Roman lands. The ancient Celts had their own celebrations. The Midwinter Solstice is around December 21 in the Western Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern. It is the time when the daylight is shortest, and night is longest. The day after this, the daylight lengthens and the night shortens- so many people celebrate this as a time of returning light, or rebirth of the sun. Ancient Celts had bonfires to emulate the powers of the sun, feasting, rising early to watch the sun rise at sacred places, and had the burning of a large oaken log to strengthen the sun. There was no ONE group of Celts concentrated on one area celebrating the Solstice. The celebrations began as early as Neolithic times and continue today.
The Meaning of Christmas Symbols
Various Christmas Symbols have deep meaning that come from pre-Christian practices, Santa, Christmas Trees, and even lights have been used in December holidays since before Christmas.
Santa Claus
Our great mascot of Christmas who is said to be the spirit of the holiday itself is based on old stories of Odin and a Saint. Odin, known as the Wanderer, has the uncanny ability to shapeshift, fit into impossibly small spaces, and travel undetected everywhere- just like Santa. Odin rides an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir, and Santa has eight reindeer. A bestower of wisdom and magic, Odin gives these gifts to the faithful. Santa brings presents. Saint Nicholas, a saint known for his charity, was said to not only be financially generous, but travel widely- like Santa Claus- but St. Nicholas also saved innocent people from death. A darker being, a Krampus or Scary Santa would visit too. Learn about him here: What Are Krampuses? Unmasking The Christmas Devil
Christmas Trees
Holiday trees are based on the greenery brought into houses by Roman pagans that was to bring life into the home during cold months. Germanic Pagans did this as well. The greenery had to be taken out of the house by a certain time, or it was believed to be bad luck. Now, Christians believe the greenery has to be removed by Epiphany.
Holiday Gifts
Gifts have been given since pre-Christian times, and come to us from the times of ancient Rome. Staurnalia gifts were gag gifts or small, cute trinkets given in private. These were called igillaria, and were often wax or pottery images of goddesses or gods. At New Year’s Romans gave gifts of coins or twigs in honor of the goddess Strenia. Druids passed out mistletoe to bless, heal and give luck. Read about the Greek goddess, Hekate here: Hecate, Moon Goddess of Magic and the Night
Lights
Lights placed on trees throughout the centuries emulated the power of the sun, which was believed to be reborn or begin to strengthen during the Winter Solstice. Both fires and candles were lit indoors and outdoors to represent the strengthening sun, and to ease the darkness of the winter time.
Christmas Superstitions
In England, an old tradition states that if you are tasked with preparing a traditional food, a Christmas pudding, you should only stir it from East to West, the route the Magi traveled to see Jesus, and if you do this you will have good luck.
In Portugal, a place is set at the holiday dinner table for absent guests, out of respect and to assure prosperity for the household.
In Guatemala, on December 7, an immense cleaning of the whole house is undertaken, assuring all dark and dirty things are removed from every corner of the house. It is believed this cleanses the house of all evil spirits, and an effigy of the devil is burned, representing ridding the home of him and his influence.
In Spain, if you want to cut off a relationship, the way to do that is with Christmas gifts. Any gift with sharp edges given as a Christmas gift is believed to cut off the relationship.
In Greece, old shoes are burned at Christmastime, in belief this will drive out some evil spirits. You should never gift anyone shoes for the holiday though, as it is believed this will make the recipient walk out of your life.
Mass, or a holy liturgy for Christmas is held at Midnight at a lot of churches in the belief Jesus was born at the stroke of Midnight.
Kissing someone under the mistletoe is said to bring happiness and good luck for the whole year. This comes from ancient Pre-Christian Druidic practices of harvesting mistletoe which was believed to heal and grant fertility, and therefore life. Read about Kali Ma, Hindu goddess of destruction and also creation here: Kali Ma Goddess of Creation and Destruction
The Spiritual Meaning of Christmas
Christmas means different things to different people, but in general, it means being with those you love, giving, and world peace.
Togetherness
Many prefer to spend Christmas in the company of loved ones. It is said that billions of people travel for the holiday whether it be local or far travel. The desire to be in the company of family may stem from Germanic observances honoring mothers and ancestors, but most people agree “There’s no place like home for the holidays.”
Giving
Cafamerica online has surprising statistics about charity and the holidays. They stated that 1/3 of annual charitable contributions are given in November or December and 1/5 of donors in general give exclusively during this time. However, donors under the age of 30 give about half their annual charitable donations during this time. So not only do people give gifts to those they love, they give to charities a lot during this time too. It really is the season of giving. Read more here: The Spirit of Giving: Why the Holiday Season is Crucial for Charitable Donations - CAF America
Peace
Jesus, unlike the god of the Old Testament, is believed by many to be a god of forgiveness, peace, and salvation. Christians believe that they can leave behind their ways of conquest from times past and wars and focus on spirituality and eternal life. They believe they were united with all other people on earth by Jesus, and they should focus on love and kindness to everyone, especially during Christmas.
Whether you celebrate Christmas as a Christian, or as someone that loves the festivities, it’s undeniable that Christmas is a bright, jolly, popular time of year when people spend time and money on enjoyment and memories are made. Christmas comes to us from older Germanic, Celtic, and Roman traditions, all of which were absorbed into Christmas. May it be peaceful, and a time when you give and get what is most meaningful, and may it be spent in the company of those you love best.
If you’re looking for holiday ideas, give the gift of psychic readings from us- even if you are generous and give a reading to yourself!
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for PaganPages.Org emag and Green Egg Magazine.
