Christmas Wasn't Always a
New England Tradition
By James H. Hyde
Editor & Creative Director
For many, New England imagery is what first appears to mind's eye
at the mention of Christmas. Be it a Currier and Ives engraving, brightly decorated
trees (now often plastic), or a time of peace and love for all, celebrating
Christmas on December 25th is a centuries-old New England tradition--or is it?
Actually, it's not. Tell of it is a "country legend." In fact, when the country was wee, putting a partridge in a pear tree on December 25th could land you in the stocks and a few shillings short.
Certainly, when reminded of Christmas we envision not palm trees, wise men, nor a manger as cradle. Rather we think of savory balsams all festively lit, candles in windows and doors sporting wreaths. While certainly emblematic of New England, they were all taboo to the pilgrims if displyed on any day but the Sabbath.
New Englanders emphatically eschewed and even punished any fanciful and decorative celebrations on December 25th until the 19th century. Only slowly and begrudgingly did the celebration evolve, and then only at the insistence of the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians who later arrived on our shores.
The first Christmas celebrants here were, of course, the pilgrims. Being theologically puritanical, Christmas was a most sacred day focused squarely on the birth of Christ, and it would be celebrated only on the Sabbath day, never December 25th (unless the Sabbath fell on that day). It most certainly lacked the materialism that has hijacked the meaning of the holiday today. In fact no hint of Christmas celebrations could be found anywhere beyond the pew.
William Bradford, the second governor to Massachusetts's pilgrims, did all in his power to deny celebrants the “pagan mockery,” as he called it, that was rapidly weaving itself into the fabric of European society.
A law crafted in 1659 in Massachusetts quickly stifled any Christmas decorations or celebrations that did spring up. The General Court of Massachusetts ruled that church attendance was the only acceptable observation of the birth of Christ and that had to be on a Sabbath day. Those who decorated anything in any way in honor of Christmas were considered guilty of a “penal offense” and fined. That was the law of Massachusetts until its repeal several years later, but it kept acceptance of open celebration at bay for almost 200 years.
New Hampshire passed a similar law titled: "An Act To Prevent And Punish Disorders Usually Committed On The Twenty Fifth Day Of December Commonly Called Christmas-Day The Evening Preceeding & Following Said Day And To Prevent Other Irregularities Committed At Other Times." Any violations of the law, which was repealed three years later, would cost the offender five shillings and two hours in the stocks.
In fact, Christmas remained a colorless observance until the Irish and Germans accepted America's call for “huddled masses” and arrived here in droves.
 It was German custom that gave birth to the Christmas tree (although conceptually, the use of trees for festivals dates back to Egyptian pharaohs). It was a custom that crossed the Atlantic with those who came here, the Hessians first and their countrymen later.
The Christmas tree has a history all its own. Many even today claim it to be a pagan symbol, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was, in fact, devout Christians in Germany who began bringing decorated trees to home and hearth to celebrate the nativity. It's believed that Martin Luther, the father of Reformation, was the first to put candles on his family's tree to mimic nature. The sight of star and moonlight settling on tree branches one night inspired the idea as he ventured out on an evening stroll.
The Irish also brought the Christmas tree tradition and placement of candles in windows with them to New England. Scandinavians brought the placement of wreaths on doors.
The first recorded Christmas tree in this country made its debut in the 1830s, not in New England, but in a German settlement in Pennsylvanian. It was not until ten years later that the allure of this cacophony of balsamy smell, color, candles and threaded popcorn was rendered legal in New England.
Despite resistance to the practice of lavish Christmas celebrations here, when they finally became acceptable, they were cherished observances, the true meaning of which we would be wise to remember.
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