I adore Yule and the season around it. This is my favorite time of year. I have healed the childhood trauma I experienced on Christmas day. Nevertheless, Christmas Day has often, inexplicably, continued to be my most distressing day of the year.

Then I found the following information. It names the nameless distress I have felt and thus heals it.

“During the 1800’s, Christmas went through a radical change, morphing from a rambunctious celebration to a family-centered day of love and nostalgia. This change was sparked by the social turmoil of the 19th century. Unemployment rates were high and gang rioting by the underserved lower classes frequently occurred around Christmas time.” from https://fhspost.com/how-christmas-became-a-cultural-phenomenon/

“The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. … This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America. … Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday.” From https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas

I love a lot about Christmas. Santa is in my pantheon. My ancestors focused on family activities this time of year. And there’s a lot more about modern Christmas that’s wonderful. 

But those wondrous things come about naturally.  That instinctual spirituality is twisted by a fabricated meaning tailored to keep oppressed people “in their place” and stop wild hearts from the joyous celebration that Mother Nature evokes in us this time of year. 

To me, Santa is the winter aspect of the wild green God. So mote it be! 

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