JamesVannHouse

The James Vann House in Chatsworth, Ga., celebrates the first Cherokee Christmas with candlelit tours.

The James Vann House in Chatsworth, Ga., celebrates the first Cherokee Christmas with candlelit tours.

A Native Christmas

Before Cherokee communities began celebrating Christmas, a winter celebration was already one of the six major festivals of the year.  The winter celebration took place near the winter solstice and centered around a feast.