Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in Britain (and in the world for that matter), but in 1644, the Puritans banned Christmas in England. They believed that Christmas served as an excuse for bad behavior, and saw it as an undesirable tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1644, an Act of Parliament banned Christmas celebrations and in 1647, the Long Parliament passed an Ordinance confirming the abolition of Christmas, Easter and Whitsun.
Since the Middle Ages, Christmas was celebrated on December 25th and it lasted almost two weeks. During the 17th century, celebrations included attending church services, feasting, playing games, singing Christmas carols and exchanging gifts. People also decorated their home with ivy, holly and mistletoe. Traditions somewhat similar to the ones we have nowadays during Christmas.
For Puritans, the festivities during Christmas were excessive and had no place in their strict view of Christianity. They believed that it had no religious meaning, it was simply a pagan celebration disguised as a Christian holiday. In 1644, as the Puritans gained power during the First English Civil War, parliament passed an act banning Christmas, which was confirmed in 1647 by an ordinance. The ban was highly unpopular, and it meant that churches were closed, while businesses had to stay open on December 25th.
Since the Middle Ages, Christmas was celebrated on December 25th and it lasted almost two weeks. During the 17th century, celebrations included attending church services, feasting, playing games, singing Christmas carols and exchanging gifts. People also decorated their home with ivy, holly and mistletoe. Traditions somewhat similar to the ones we have nowadays during Christmas.
For Puritans, the festivities during Christmas were excessive and had no place in their strict view of Christianity. They believed that it had no religious meaning, it was simply a pagan celebration disguised as a Christian holiday. In 1644, as the Puritans gained power during the First English Civil War, parliament passed an act banning Christmas, which was confirmed in 1647 by an ordinance. The ban was highly unpopular, and it meant that churches were closed, while businesses had to stay open on December 25th.
The ban continued during the period Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector, until 1660 when the monarchy was restored with Charles II as king, and Christmas celebrations were once again legal. Christmas has also been outlawed in other places. Between 1659 and 1681, Puritans in Boston (New England) outlawed the celebration. Still, Christmas remains one of the biggest and most popular holidays in the world.
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