The primary Old English names for Christmas were Gēola (Yule) or middenwintre (midwinter), with Cristesmæsse appearing later in the 11th century. While Yule referred to the festive season, middenwintre was frequently used in Anglo-Saxon sources to denote Christmas Day itself, reflecting both pagan and Christian influences.
What was Christmas originally called in Old English?
The pre-Christian Germanic peoples—including the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse—celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period, yielding modern English yule, today used as a synonym for Christmas.
Christmas was originally called "Christ's Mass" (Cristes Maesse in Old English), but its roots are in older midwinter celebrations like the Germanic Yule and Roman festivals such as Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, with traditions merged as Christianity spread. Early Christian celebrations focused on the "Feast of the Nativity," but the name "Christmas" (Christ's Mass) became standard as the date for Jesus' birth was set around existing pagan winter festivals.
They called it “Yule” which is pronounced the same as the word for Christmas in Norway today “Jul”. The Vikings believed Odin, the great God, and father of other gods, would ride across the night sky and visit them in their homes.
Yule. Yule is used as an informal, warm, and old-fashioned synonym for Christmas in songs, poems, and greeting cards. Yule was the name of the ancient winter solstice festival that pre-dated Christianity.
Christmas and the Old English Names for the Holiday
What do pagans say instead of Merry Christmas?
Instead of "Merry Christmas," Pagans often say "Happy Yule," "Blessed Yule," or "Happy Solstice," as Yule is the ancient Pagan winter festival celebrating the Winter Solstice (the longest night and rebirth of the Sun), though many also use "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" to share goodwill. Other variations include "Joyous Yule," "Good Yule," or more general well-wishes like "Peaceful Holidays".
Little Christmas (Irish: Nollaig na mBan, lit. 'Women's Christmas'), also known as Old Christmas, is one of the traditional names among Irish Christians and the Amish for 6 January, which is also known more widely as the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated after the conclusion of the twelve days of Christmastide.
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December in the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities until 19 December. By the 1st century BC, the celebration had been extended until 23 December, for a total of seven days of festivities.
Yule (Old English: ġēol, Old Norse: jól) is a winter festival and time of the year historically observed by heathen Germanic peoples that was later merged with the festival of Christmas during the process of Christianisation.
Today, people consider "Yule" synonymous with "Christmas." But centuries ago, Yule meant something different — a pagan mid-winter festival, dating back to pre-Christian Germanic people.
Earlier in this article, I mentioned that the Bible does not mention “Christmas” at all. Christmas is still commonly associated with Jesus's birth, and the Bible does say quite a bit about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2).
No, the Bible does not say Christmas is December 25th; it doesn't mention the date of Jesus' birth at all, with early Christians not celebrating birthdays, and the date was chosen later (around 336 AD) by the Roman church to coincide with pagan winter solstice festivals like Saturnalia. This placement was likely to ease conversion by offering a Christian alternative to existing popular holidays, according to the Biblical Archaeology Society and Wikipedia.
🎄 Did you know: in India, Christmas is often called “Bada Din” — the big day — with homes decked in lights, mango leaves and clay lamps. So, while you're choosing your table for this year's end-of-year celebration, we've got the feast sorted.
These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar. The Anglo-Saxons referred to December–January as Ġēolamonaþ (modern English: "Yule month"). The French Republican Calendar contained December within the months of Frimaire and Nivôse.
They called it “Yule” which is pronounced the same as the word for Christmas in Norway today “Jul”. The Vikings believed Odin, the great God, and father of other gods, would ride across the night sky and visit them in their homes.
In Scotland, Christmas is traditionally called Yule, derived from Old Norse for winter feasts, and remains a common term for the festive season, though modern Scots also use "Christmas," with "A Blithe Yule" meaning Happy Christmas and "The Daft Days" referring to the festive period. While banned for centuries after the Reformation, modern Scotland now celebrates Christmas similarly to the rest of the UK, but with unique traditions like "first-footing" and "Sowans Nicht".
In Irish (or Gaelic) Christmas is 'Nollaig', Santa Claus is known as 'San Nioclás' or 'Daidí na Nollag' (Father Christmas) and Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Nollaig Shona Dhuit'.
In traditional , the Christmas season is synonymous with Christmastide, which runs from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 5 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve), popularly known as the 12 Days of Christmas, or in the Catholic Church, until the Baptism of the Lord, a Christmas season which can last for more…..
Natale is the Italian word for Christmas, and people generally greet each other with “Buon Natale!”In Italy, Natale spans from December 24 through January 6, with some feasts and celebrations occurring earlier in the month of December.
Krampus is usually featured as a man with horns with one grotesque human foot and one foot of a goat. He is typically covered in black hair and has a very long snake or dragon-like tongue. These qualities have increasingly made Krampus a character for horror costumes and films.
Christmas was originally called "Christ's Mass" (Cristes Maesse in Old English), but its roots are in older midwinter celebrations like the Germanic Yule and Roman festivals such as Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, with traditions merged as Christianity spread. Early Christian celebrations focused on the "Feast of the Nativity," but the name "Christmas" (Christ's Mass) became standard as the date for Jesus' birth was set around existing pagan winter festivals.
