Jay O'Dell looks at the origins of Christmas traditions

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2008-12-24 14:20
Former history teacher Jay O'Dell looks at the origins of some of our favorite Christmas traditions in an article for the Huntington, West Virginia Herald-Dispatch.

According to O'Dell, "many of the Christmas traditions originated in ancient Mesopotamia within Asia (present day Iraq and Iran). Celebrations before Christ included traditions such as the 12 days of Christmas, yule log, giving of gifts, parades, songs, holiday feasts and church gatherings."