The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

After the beginning of the fifth Age, to wit, 521. years, in this Island began (the old Saturnalia of Rome, which was first kept in honour of Saturn; but by the Successors of Julius Caesar, it was ordained to be kept, to the memory of him, and was called Julia) to be celebrated unto the honour of Christs Birth, in the later end of December. The occasion was this, Arthur that renowned Prince wintering at York (whereof, he newly had made himself Master) with his Nobles, bethought himself with them, to pass some days in the dead of winter in good cheer and mirth, which was done forth with, as it is given out for devotion to Christ, although, that then true Devotion was very little regarded; for as these men did exceed the Romans during this Feast in Riot and Licentiousness; So they continued the Feast double the time that the Ethnic Romans were wont to kept it; for the Romans kept it only five days, but these kept it ten days with their new devotion; yea, those of the richer sort in time following have kept it fifteen days. Thus was the beginning of the profane idleness and riot of Christmas, now kept twelve days with foolish excess and riot. As these Christmas keepers did mistake the way of honouring Christs Birth, by this kind of solemnity; so did they mistake the time of his Birth; for the most exact Chronologers tells us, that Christ was born in October, and not in December.

After the beginning of the fifth Age, to wit, 521. yeers, in this Island began (the old Saturnalia of Rome, which was first kept in honour of Saturne; but by the Successors of Iulius Caesar, it was ordained to be kept, to the memory of him, and was called Iulia) to be celebrated unto the honour of Christs Birth, in the later end of December. The occasion was this, Arthur that renowned Prince wintering at York (whereof, he newly had made himself Master) with his Nobles, bethought himself with them, to passe some dayes in the dead of winter in good chear and mirth, which was done forth with, as it is given out for devotion to Christ, although, that then true Devotion was very little regarded; for as these men did exceed the Romans during this Feast in Ryot and Licentiousnesse; So they continued the Feast double the time that the Ethnick Romans were wont to kept it; for the Romans kept it onely five dayes, but these kept it ten dayes with their new devotion; yea, those of the richer sort in time following have kept it fifteene dayes. Thus was the beginning of the prophane idlenesse and ryot of Christmas, now kept twelve dayes with foolish excesse and ryot. As these Christmas keepers did mistake the way of honouring Christs Birth, by this kinde of solemnity; so did they mistake the time of his Birth; for the most exact Chronologers tells us, that Christ was born in October, and not in December.