更新时间：2018-11-03 18:02作者：王华老师
ThePersiansandtheBabylonianscelebratedasimilarfestivalcalledtheSacaea.Partofthatcelebrationincludedtheexchangingofplaces,theslaveswouldbecomethemastersandthemastersweretoobey.TheancientGreeksheldafestivalsimilartothatoftheZagmuk/SacaeafestivalstoassisttheirgodKronoswhowouldbattlethegodZeusandhisTitans.
TheRoman′scelebratedtheirgodSaturn.TheirfestivalwascalledSaturnaliawhichbeganthemiddleofDecemberandendedJanuary1st.Withcriesof"JoSaturnalia!"thecelebrationwouldincludemasqueradesinthestreets,bigfestivemeals,visitingfriends,andtheexchangeofgood-luckgiftscalledStrenae(luckyfruits).TheRomansdeckedtheirhallswithgarlandsoflaurelandgreentreeslitwithcandles.Againthemastersandslaveswouldexchangeplaces.
"JoSaturnalia!"wasafunandfestivetimefortheRomans,buttheChristiansthoughtitanabominationtohonorthepagangod.TheearlyChristianswantedtokeepthebirthdayoftheirChristchildasolemnandreligiousholiday,notoneofcheerandmerrimentaswasthepaganSaturnalia.
SomelegendsclaimthattheChristian"Christmas"celebrationwasinventedtocompeteagainstthepagancelebrationsofDecember.The25thwasnotonlysacredtotheRomansbutalsothePersianswhosereligionMithraismwasoneofChristianity′smainrivalsatthattime.TheChurcheventuallywassuccessfulintakingthemerriment,lights,andgiftsfromtheSaturaniliafestivalandbringingthemtothecelebrationofChristmas.