How many Americans believe this is how the first Christmas was celebrated in the "New World"? Probably more than you think. For some reason, in the United States, Christmas is envisioned as a winter wonderland, with softly falling snow, families gathering enjoying a delightful dinner and presents being gifted to one another. You know, just like a Norman Rockwell or a Currier and Ives print. We cherish "White Christmas" and join in singing along with all of the other Christmas songs which harken to an image of wintry fun and joy. Yes, this is what Christmas is! It's snow, cold, lit fireplaces, and family.
I hate to tell you this, but that isn't at all what the first Christmas celebration in the land which would become the United States of America was like. No it's not. No snow. No Protestant deacon. No disembarking from the Mayflower. No women. No children. No Plymouth Colony. No Northeast. There were guards though. Oh, and no building anything due to the homes already available. Yes, it is quite a shock to realize this. I know, but let's face it, the Pilgrims didn't land until 1620, bringing with them British and Protestant traditions. The first Christmas here in what would become the United States, well, that occurred 81 years earlier!
That's right! 81 years earlier in 1539. "What?, you say. "The British didn't settle Roanoke Island until 1585! Jamestown wasn't settled until 1607! Even Parris Island wouldn't be settled by the French until 1564 and then deserted a year later. No, the English, French, Dutch, or Protestants were not the first to celebrate Christmas in this wild land called "the New World". No, that honor falls to the Spanish under the leadership of Hernando de Soto, a man who would spend 4 years exploring the vastness of this land, traveling 4,000 miles in his endeavors to find gold and new territory for Spain to colonize.
You got it! Hernando de Soto discovered a bay which would in time become Tampa Bay and it is from this location, he would begin his exploration of Florida and the places which would become so well know in the Southwestern and South Central United States. Here, at Tampa Bay along with several hundred men, artisans, and three priests, de Soto began a northward trek through Florida. He and his men found the land harsh and full of challenges, from alligators and poisonous snakes to the Apalachee natives who fought the Spaniards every step of the way.
As winter arrived in this harsh environment, de Soto's expedition discovered the Apalachee village of Anhaica, which was the capital of these strong and capable warriors. Plus, luck was with them. The Apalachee had set fire to all of their other villages to make sure the white devils would not be able to use them. Yet, at Anahaica, the Spaniards found it intact with 250 houses for them to use. de Soto decided to settle here for the winter and rest his followers. They built fortifications around the village and enclosures for their pigs and horses they had brought along.
Yes, this was quite a nice spot they had found and everyone had a home to live in. The priests were able to set up a centralized place of worship and it is here where the first Christmas in the United States would be celebrated. That's right in a native village where nearby the capital of Florida, Tallahassee, would grow and prosper. The three priests would have held Midnight Mass on Christmas and then another mass in the morning. Both would have been celebrated with full communion and with both Spaniards and native converts. It would have been a rather interesting sight, for not only would they have celebrated a much more somber and religious Christmas, they would have been fighting for their lives against the Apalachee people. And the Apalachee nation did not stop fighting to get back their land, but in the end, the Apalachees were defeated, and the horrendous treatment of the indigenous people was begun.
This is the real history of the First Christmas in America. It took place in Florida, amongst the flowers, swamp lands, beasts, and proud warrior natives. It was held under the constant threat of danger and violence. It was subtropical and warm with mosquitoes and gnats. It was beside waterways filled with alligators and snakes, as well as panthers and bears. The pigs, the Spaniards brought with them multiplied quickly and would become the wild boars or razorbacks of the South for pigs are not indigenous to the "New World". In kind, the horses too, would reproduce and become the wild mustangs in the Southwest.
Yes, this is what that Christmas was like. Quite a difference from our images and reflections. As you enjoy this holiday season, remember these people, both Spaniard and Alapachee. For their's was a Christmas built upon faith for the Spaniards and hatred from the Alapachee.....not presents, family gatherings, or snow....Merry Christmas from Florida.
First Christmas painting
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=233704356698095&set=a.233703743364823.58172.233693020032562&type=1&theater
You got it! Hernando de Soto discovered a bay which would in time become Tampa Bay and it is from this location, he would begin his exploration of Florida and the places which would become so well know in the Southwestern and South Central United States. Here, at Tampa Bay along with several hundred men, artisans, and three priests, de Soto began a northward trek through Florida. He and his men found the land harsh and full of challenges, from alligators and poisonous snakes to the Apalachee natives who fought the Spaniards every step of the way.
As winter arrived in this harsh environment, de Soto's expedition discovered the Apalachee village of Anhaica, which was the capital of these strong and capable warriors. Plus, luck was with them. The Apalachee had set fire to all of their other villages to make sure the white devils would not be able to use them. Yet, at Anahaica, the Spaniards found it intact with 250 houses for them to use. de Soto decided to settle here for the winter and rest his followers. They built fortifications around the village and enclosures for their pigs and horses they had brought along.
Yes, this was quite a nice spot they had found and everyone had a home to live in. The priests were able to set up a centralized place of worship and it is here where the first Christmas in the United States would be celebrated. That's right in a native village where nearby the capital of Florida, Tallahassee, would grow and prosper. The three priests would have held Midnight Mass on Christmas and then another mass in the morning. Both would have been celebrated with full communion and with both Spaniards and native converts. It would have been a rather interesting sight, for not only would they have celebrated a much more somber and religious Christmas, they would have been fighting for their lives against the Apalachee people. And the Apalachee nation did not stop fighting to get back their land, but in the end, the Apalachees were defeated, and the horrendous treatment of the indigenous people was begun.
This is the real history of the First Christmas in America. It took place in Florida, amongst the flowers, swamp lands, beasts, and proud warrior natives. It was held under the constant threat of danger and violence. It was subtropical and warm with mosquitoes and gnats. It was beside waterways filled with alligators and snakes, as well as panthers and bears. The pigs, the Spaniards brought with them multiplied quickly and would become the wild boars or razorbacks of the South for pigs are not indigenous to the "New World". In kind, the horses too, would reproduce and become the wild mustangs in the Southwest.
Yes, this is what that Christmas was like. Quite a difference from our images and reflections. As you enjoy this holiday season, remember these people, both Spaniard and Alapachee. For their's was a Christmas built upon faith for the Spaniards and hatred from the Alapachee.....not presents, family gatherings, or snow....Merry Christmas from Florida.
First Christmas painting
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=233704356698095&set=a.233703743364823.58172.233693020032562&type=1&theater
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