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The One Thing Everyone Gets Wrong About Christmas

One of the most common assumptions about Christmas, is that the tradition of giving presents at Christmas comes from the wise men presenting gifts. It makes sense on the surface. After all, the Bible tells us that the wise men (or Magi) brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11). But while this account is often connected to our modern gift-giving customs, the origins of exchanging presents at Christmas actually predate Christianity itself.

To understand where this tradition truly comes from, we need to look back to ancient Rome. Long before Christmas existed, the Romans celebrated a festival called Saturnalia. Held in December, this festival honored Saturn, the god of agriculture, and was a time of feasting, merrymaking, and yes—giving gifts. However, the practice wasn’t always so generous or voluntary. During Saturnalia, the Roman emperors often compelled their citizens, particularly those of lower status, to bring offerings and gifts as a way to demonstrate loyalty. Later, as Saturnalia became more popular, the practice expanded into the general population, where it took on a more lighthearted form of exchanging small presents like candles, figurines, and sweets.

But the tradition didn’t stop there. Following Saturnalia was Kalends, celebrated at the start of January to mark the Roman New Year. During Kalends, it was common to give gifts symbolizing good fortune for the year ahead, such as coins or tokens.

So how did these pre-Christian Roman customs evolve into the Christmas gift-giving we know today? As Christianity spread, the early Catholic Church often sought to “Christianize” existing pagan traditions. Instead of abolishing festivals like Saturnalia and Kalends—which were deeply embedded in Roman society—the Church re-framed them with a Christian meaning. Gift-giving, for example, was re-rooted in the story of Saint Nicholas, a beloved figure known for his generosity and kindness.

Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop in what is now modern-day Turkey, was famous for his habit of giving gifts to the poor, particularly children. Over time, stories of his deeds grew into legends, and he became the inspiration for the modern Santa Claus. The Church embraced this charitable example and aligned it with the Christmas season, reinforcing the idea that giving gifts was a way to reflect God’s ultimate gift to humanity—Jesus Christ.

Interestingly, the wise men’s gifts, while significant, were never portrayed in Scripture as a model for annual gift-giving. Their offerings were unique and symbolic: gold for Christ as King, frankincense for His priestly role, and myrrh foreshadowing His death. The connection between the Magi and our modern gift exchanges is more of a later interpretation than a biblical directive.

So, while the story of the wise men has deep spiritual meaning, it’s not the root of the Christmas gift-giving tradition. Instead, what we have today is a blend of ancient Roman customs, Christian re-framing, and the influence of Saint Nicholas.

This leaves us with a valuable question: what do we hope to convey when we give gifts at Christmas? Whether inspired by historical traditions or Christian generosity, it can be an opportunity to reflect love, gratitude, and kindness—the very qualities that Jesus’ birth represents.