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In Ancient Rome the winter (December) solstice festival Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. The final day falling on the 25th of December which comemorated the rebirth of the sun god. 

It was held to honor god Saturn, slaves were served by their masters. Masquerades often occurred during this time.

It was traditional to offer gifts of imitation fruit (a symbol of fertility), dolls (symbolic of the custom of human sacrifice), and candles (reminiscent of the bonfires traditionally associated with pagan solstice celebrations). 

The slave masters and leaders of Rome put their strong drinks of Alcohol on sale (celebrating the god of wine called Bacchus), sold products and idols as presents, because in so doing; their slaves (pretending to be masters) and servants would waste their life savings and energies on the celebration,

An act which led to the state of falling into debt (debt bondage) again towards their masters.

A mock king (lord of misrule) was chosen, usually from a group of slaves or criminals, and although he was permitted to behave in an unrestrained manner for seven days of the festival, he was usually killed at the end.

The Saturnalia eventually degenerated into a week-long spree of debauchery, orgy and crime (Bacchanal celebration)– giving rise to the modern use of the tern saturnalia, meaning a period of unrestrained license and revelry.

During the year 356 AD, the Council of Nicaea (CATHOLIC church) renamed and changed this celebration into Christmas (the birth of the son and the mother nursing the child).  

Article written by Conscious lifestyle