Saturnalia

[Christmas was invented to replace Saturnalia.]

The Saturnalia
was an ancient Roman holiday marked by a week of wild partying, lawlessness and a holiday celebrating the return of the sun; ending in dedications to the temple of the god Saturn, which was on 17 December. People did any damage they pleased without fear of
consequence as the Roman courts were closed and law stated that no one
could be punished for anything. This tradition began by Roman
communities choosing someone as an enemy of Rome, representing the Lord of Misrule.
Each “enemy” was forced to over-indulge in food, sex, and mayhem for a week.
At the end of the week, the person was murdered in representation of
conquering the forces of darkness.

Source: 5th Column