Churco, J. M. (1938). CHRISTMAS AND THE ROMAN SATURNALIA. The Classical Outlook, 16(3), 25–26. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44006272
- Jennie M. Churco published this short but dense article covering the historical details of the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the modern celebration of Christmas. Churco examines how various customs and traditions associated with Saturnalia, such as gift-giving and feasting were integrated into Christmas festivities as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire. The article offers a detailed analysis of the cultural and religious blending that facilitated this transformation, highlighting the ways in which ancient pagan practices were adapted to fit Christian contexts. This work is suitable for understanding that the transition from Pagan to Christian was a gradual one. An unbiased and clear take on the historical evolution of Christmas and the enduring influence of Roman cultural practices on contemporary holiday traditions.
Hannon, W. B. (1924). Christmas and Its Folk-Lore. The Irish Monthly, 52(607), 20–27. https://www-jstor-org.libproxy.albany.edu/stable/20517297
- W. B. Hannon explores the folklore and traditions associated with Christmas, focusing on its historical and cultural roots. Hannon examines various customs, such as the belief in animals speaking on Christmas night, the burning of the Yule log, and the significance of mid-winter sacrifices. He traces these practices back to ancient Celtic, Roman, Teutonic, and Scandinavian influences, highlighting the connection between Pagan rituals and Christian celebrations. The article provides a detailed analysis of how these diverse cultural elements have shaped modern Christmas traditions. This work is valuable for researchers interested in the historical evolution of holiday customs and the interplay between folklore and cultural history.
MacDonald, J. (2016, December 21). Celebrating Solstice the Ancient Greek Way. JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/celebrating-solstice-the-ancient-greek-way/
- James MacDonald received a BS in Environmental Biology from Columbia and a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University. In understandable prose, MacDonald explains the importance of Pagan sun worship and its relation to Christianity, mistletoe as a venerated object for both the past and present, and introduces the overlap between Saturnalia and the Greek holiday of Haloea, the winter solstice Festival of Poseidon. The author cites W.B. Hannon's Christmas and its Folk-lore, which is another credible article on the subject. A short article, with use of informal language that can be a pro or con depending on what you are using it for.