The Ghost of Christmas Past

"For preventing disorders, arising in several places within this jurisdiction by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other communities, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others: it is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shilling as a fine to the county."
-From the records of the General Court, Massachusetts Bay Colony May 11, 1659

This law banning the celebration of Christmas stayed on the books for twenty-two years, and might liven up any discussion you find yourself engaged in regarding the perennial "War on Christmas" debate that crops up alongside manger scenes and in between commercials on Fox News .

Seperately, the Puritans also tried people who made too much profit in a trade deal as criminals, charging them with "usury," which often resulted in the redistribution of their ill-gotten wealth and a public shaming.

Aah, the good old days.

MK