Where did christmas come from apart from jeus?

You will, of course be given the usual nonsense about pagan origins. All these are without foundation in genuine historical facts.

Christmas trees come from central Europe and were brought to England in the 19th century. Their origins are uncertain but a likely origin is from mediaeval Christmas mystery plays which stated iuth Adam and Eve in the garden and ended with Christ. So they started with a tree - the Paradise Tree - hung with fruit - now we have a tree hung with baubles and with lights to represent the redeeming light of Christ.

Father Christmas is a combination. Father Christmas arises from the time of the Puritans in Britain who tried to suppress Christmas celebrations because they thought they were not proper for Christans, not biblical. Many people did not like this and yearned for the return of the old jolly Christmas - the personification of this old Christmas was Old Father Christmas - the jolly fellow who brings good cheer.

Santa Claus is again a central European idea from a Christian Saint - Saint (Santa) Nicholas (Claus) who, according to legend, gave gifts anonymously to needy children. In some countries December 6th, his feast day, is when children get presents. Again during the reformation some puritans tried to do away with this and move the presents to Christmas from the Christ-child.

Many years later, and after much crossing of the atlantic, the figures of Father Christmas (bringer of good cheer and merriment) and Santa Claus (bringer of presents) have become mixed up and most people treat them as the same person.

the name of the guy is JESUS not jeus. And yes in Roman times it was a pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice. Constantine the first (his mother became a Christian, then he followed) wanted to make it a religious event so they plunked Jesus birth in that time frame. St. Nicholas was a monk who lived in Turkey and he loved taking care of under privileged children by putting treats in the stockings while they were left out to dry. He also gave money to poor girls for their dowry's. He is said to have performed miracles for children. Nicholas gave life back to 3 boys that where murdered. He was made a Saint by the Christian Orthodox Church and DEC th is ST. NICHOLAS DAY. n the Netherlands and Germany St. Nicholas is known as Sinter Claus. American Commercialism(Coca-cola) turned him into Santa Claus.

Christmas trees are a German Tradition they use Evergreens because of that the tree symbolizes life in the dead of winter. And the top of the tree points to heaven. The lights represents the light of the Messiah. Gift giving comes from the gifts of the Magi to Jesus when he was born.

Unfortunately CHRISTmas is a celebration of presents and commerce and has lost its true meaning. The world seems to be full of Scrooge's. Everybody wants, but no one GIVES. Greed and Ignorance runs rampant in this day and age. CHRISTmas is about giving, caring and celebrating the true Messiah and prophet of GOD.

It seems the politics of some churches have ruined the true meaning of being a Christian. GOD help us all and allow us to find the light in Jesus Christ.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

It was actually a Pagan holiday to celebrate the Winter season. They would have festivals with trees and it was a huge celebration. Actually, if you want to get right down to it. Jesus was most likey "Born" in the summer months, because there would be no way that a mother to be would ride a donkey in the middle of winter in the desert. She would have died. The church stole the holiday away from the Pagans because it was getting too popular for the Church to stand. So in reality when you put up your tree, you are putting up a pagan holiday symbol

Prince Albert brought the tradition over from Germany when he married the Princess Victoria later to become Queen Victoria and Santa Claus (St Nicholas) I believe is the Parton of Germany

In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out.

There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.

In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer's bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment.

The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.

New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ.

In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity.

Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today's Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honored on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus.

Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers.

Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.

The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Christmas trees - pagan festival of Yule

father christmas - Invention by Coca Cola.

Pagan Yule celebrations over 2000 years ago. Rman Saturnalia Over 2000 years ago. Most religions have some sort of festival at the darkest time of the year to make sure the sun comes back. Christians could not stamp out the practice so stole it.

morgensteins right, its originally a festival from 354 AD to celebrate the birth of the sun god by the Egyptians and Romans. christians used to celebrate the birth of christ on the 6th of January but in the 14th century started singing carols on the 25th, and since then, its been considered a christian festival

ROME (Emperor Constantine)

Mr Constantine united ROME's many Religions under one Religion, and yes you've guessed it - 'Christianity'.

Jesus took the place of Mithras.

One of ROME's Religions was 'Mithraism' - Mithras was said to have been born on December 25th, or winter solstice - Check-out the Link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithras

Well gift giving comes from the three kings that came to see Jesus when he was born. They brought Jesus gifts.