Post by Robert Braun on Dec 10, 2002 22:34:01 GMT -5
As a background to those New England "Yankees" in the Lead Region, this item from the Old Sturbridge Village Education Department is offered:
CHRISTMAS TIME IN EARLY 19TH CENTURY NEW ENGLAND
In general, most rural New Englanders did not celebrate Christmas. December 25th was like any other day with tasks and duties to fulfill. However, Christmas attitudes and practices were starting to change as the contours of New England life were being transformed by increasing religious diversity, the continuing erosion and transformation of Calvinism, and advancing urbanization. For some New Englanders - a relative handful - Christmas observance was an integral part of their own religious traditions. For others, the acceptance of Christmas became a sign of emancipation from New England's Puritan past. Instead of a
religious connection, many in rural New England who began to celebrate Christmas did so in secular ways. Christmas trees, stories of St. Nicholas, and gift giving became more common. Yet, up until the 1860s,
for the substantial majority of New Englanders, Christmas still remained alien to their traditions, an exotic and forbidden Pagan holiday.
CHRISTMAS TIME IN EARLY 19TH CENTURY NEW ENGLAND
In general, most rural New Englanders did not celebrate Christmas. December 25th was like any other day with tasks and duties to fulfill. However, Christmas attitudes and practices were starting to change as the contours of New England life were being transformed by increasing religious diversity, the continuing erosion and transformation of Calvinism, and advancing urbanization. For some New Englanders - a relative handful - Christmas observance was an integral part of their own religious traditions. For others, the acceptance of Christmas became a sign of emancipation from New England's Puritan past. Instead of a
religious connection, many in rural New England who began to celebrate Christmas did so in secular ways. Christmas trees, stories of St. Nicholas, and gift giving became more common. Yet, up until the 1860s,
for the substantial majority of New Englanders, Christmas still remained alien to their traditions, an exotic and forbidden Pagan holiday.
