"Bradford’s comments reflected Puritans’ lingering anxiety about the ways that Christmas had been celebrated in England. For generations, the holiday had been an occasion for riotous, sometimes violent behavior. The moralist pamphleteer Phillip Stubbes believed that Christmastime celebrations gave celebrants license “to do what they lust, and to folow what vanitie they will.” He complained about rampant “fooleries” like playing dice and cards and wearing masks." https://theconversation.com/why-the-puritans-cracked-down-on-celebrating-christmas-151359 #History #Histodon #Histodons #Christmas #Xmas #Christianity #Religion #NewEngland #America