why didn't the puritans celebrate Christmas?

I read somewhere that it was because one guy banned it but I'm not sure if that's true.

The Bible says nothing about celebrating Christmas. Christ's birthday wasn't celebrated until Christianity reached Europe. Then missionaries adopted mid-winter pagan celebrations and symbols and incorporated them into a Christian holiday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_Puritan_New_England

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas#History

The reason why the Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas is attributed to their religious beliefs and principles. The Puritans were a group of English Protestants who sought to reform the Church of England during the 16th and 17th centuries. They believed in the simplicity of worship and wanted to rid the church of what they considered to be Catholic practices and rituals.

While it is commonly believed that Christmas was specifically banned by one individual, such as Oliver Cromwell or John Calvin, this is not entirely accurate. Rather, the Puritans as a whole viewed Christmas as a time associated with pagan customs, excesses, and unscriptural traditions.

To understand why the Puritans rejected Christmas, it is important to recognize their objections to certain practices commonly observed during the holiday season. They believed that Christmas celebrations had become increasingly extravagant and often involved indulgence in food, drink, and revelry. Moreover, they found many of the customs associated with Christmas, such as decorating trees and giving gifts, to have pagan origins.

Additionally, the Puritans were critical of the saints' days and feasts that were associated with Catholicism, including Christmas. They argued that these celebrations were not specifically mandated in the Bible and were hence unnecessary. In their pursuit of religious purity, the Puritans sought to strip away any practices that they deemed to be unbiblical or influenced by non-Christian customs.

It is worth noting that the rejection of Christmas was not universally shared among all Puritans. While some Puritan communities in England and later in America did ban Christmas celebrations, others allowed for more restrained and religiously focused observances.

In conclusion, the Puritans did not celebrate Christmas due to their objections towards its pagan origins, excessive practices, and association with Catholicism. While it is not accurate to attribute the ban solely to a single individual, their rejection of Christmas is consistent with their broader goal of promoting biblical purity and simplicity in their religious practices.