HISTORIAN: FIRST CHRISTMAS HAPPENED IN AFRICA

HISTORIAN: FIRST CHRISTMAS HAPPENED IN AFRICA

DALLAS (Wireless Flash) -- Where do you think the first Christmas celebration took place? Would you believe it was in Africa? According to Catholic historian Kevin Orlin Johnson, the first recorded Christmas feast took place in the ancient African kingdom of Numidia. Ancient records show residents of the kingdom -- which was located in what is now Algeria -- had a celebration to honor Christ's birth on December 25, 383 AD. But the first Christmas was a far cry from the over-the-top celebrations of today. Johnson says it's most likely the ceremony was a solemn affair consisting of a religious procession, Bible readings and a simple meal -- with no gift-giving, Christmas trees or holiday fruitcakes.