The Puritan Mythology of Christmas

The common belief that Puritans universally opposed the celebration of Christmas is largely exaggerated. Historical evidence indicates that while some ministers and political figures opposed Christmas, there was no consensus among Puritans regarding its observance. In fact, the objections to Christmas stem from various factors, including a lack of direct biblical command to celebrate it, political motivations aimed at preventing Roman Catholic influences, and the way Christmas was traditionally observed. The 17th-century celebrations were often marked by revelry and immoral behavior, which understandably raised concerns among religious leaders.