During Christmas, the festive spirit returns to every town square, every street, and every home. Trees gleam with colorful balls and shimmering tinsel, a beloved tradition that traces its roots back to ancient times when nature was the central axis of daily life.
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In the days after darkness and the shortest hours of the year, the bright promise of spring and summer returns. The idea is that light gives life to nature, lifting spirits as the days grow longer again.
In the Roman calendar Saturnalia was first celebrated around December 17 and gradually extended to a full week, ending on December 23. The festival honored Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest, and became deeply woven into town life.
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According to Pilar Caldera, a researcher and curator of the National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida, the holiday season was a celebration of what Romans called the narrow days, the brightest and shortest days of the year.
It also tied into the agricultural cycle, marking a time when seeds are protected in the fields and await the return of spring.
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During those long, prosperous days, Romans symbolically returned to the earth what the earth had provided during harvest, offering gifts to honor the cycle of the seasons. Cotton or wool balls and star figurines were placed on plant elements in homes as part of the decorating tradition.
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However, it cannot be guaranteed that the practice came from Rome, since the modern custom of planting a Christmas tree began in the 16th and 17th centuries in Central and Northern Europe.
The seasonal festivals in Rome were among the most important. The ancient world lived in harmony with nature, and these celebrations connected the cycles of the year with daily life. In winter, spring, and the cycle of the year, the Saturnalia reflected a desire for brighter days ahead.
With the end of agricultural work, people spent more time at home. Family meals, music, and dancing were common during Saturnalia, often shared with friends and even slaves. Slaves could join in the festivities and were cared for by their owners, as tradition held that a temporary order would soon follow the merriment.
Another keepsake tradition still seen today is the Christmas basket. Wicker baskets filled with items such as olive branches, bay leaves, figs, and walnuts were meant to ensure resources during long days ahead, a practical gesture wrapped in festive spirit.
As noted by researcher Isaac Sastre, these customs were absorbed by Christianity over time, with some scholars arguing that Jesus’ birth may have been dated between late September and early October. In Rome, December 25 eventually became linked to the celebration of Christ and the return of light after winter, a link also shared with Mithraism and the solstice rites of the era.