Comments on: The Christmas Story: Facts and Myths http://jrs2cents.com/the-christmas-story-facts-and-myths.html Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:29:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Dave http://jrs2cents.com/the-christmas-story-facts-and-myths.html/comment-page-1#comment-92 Dave Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:23:18 +0000 http://jrs2cents.com/?p=390#comment-92 While I would say most traditions arose from pagan customs, the giving of gifts at Christmas probably arose from 'evil' traditions - mainly that of greed. In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia festival (in December), which the Christians replaced with Christmas, and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavour by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas. While I would say most traditions arose from pagan customs, the giving of gifts at Christmas probably arose from ‘evil’ traditions – mainly that of greed.

In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia festival (in December), which the Christians replaced with Christmas, and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace.

The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavour by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas.

]]> By: JR Griggs http://jrs2cents.com/the-christmas-story-facts-and-myths.html/comment-page-1#comment-89 JR Griggs Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:43:51 +0000 http://jrs2cents.com/?p=390#comment-89 Which traditions would you say "originated in evil?" I know that many as listed were of course not in the Bible. From what I have seen, they were created to try and get the holiday more attention. Which traditions would you say “originated in evil?” I know that many as listed were of course not in the Bible. From what I have seen, they were created to try and get the holiday more attention.

]]> By: Diane L. Harris http://jrs2cents.com/the-christmas-story-facts-and-myths.html/comment-page-1#comment-88 Diane L. Harris Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:53:01 +0000 http://jrs2cents.com/?p=390#comment-88 My husband preached yesterday on "A Christ-less Christmas". Actually, it was an interactive sermon, where we discussed--yes--the Satanic lies behind some of the traditions of Christmas. The conclusion was that it is the responsibility of Christians, not secularists, to keep Christ in Christmas. We should understand what's biblical and what's not and celebrate Christ every day in a way that wouldn't shame Him. Celebrating the birth of Christ is a good thing (though not biblical) any day we choose, since no one knows the real date. We should know the origins of the common traditions, though, and not continue those that originated in evil just so we can fit in. Christmas belongs to Christians. We don't have to fit in. We should always remember that the celebration is about the love God showed us by sending Christ, and sharing that love with each other. My husband preached yesterday on “A Christ-less Christmas”. Actually, it was an interactive sermon, where we discussed–yes–the Satanic lies behind some of the traditions of Christmas. The conclusion was that it is the responsibility of Christians, not secularists, to keep Christ in Christmas.

We should understand what’s biblical and what’s not and celebrate Christ every day in a way that wouldn’t shame Him.

Celebrating the birth of Christ is a good thing (though not biblical) any day we choose, since no one knows the real date. We should know the origins of the common traditions, though, and not continue those that originated in evil just so we can fit in. Christmas belongs to Christians. We don’t have to fit in.

We should always remember that the celebration is about the love God showed us by sending Christ, and sharing that love with each other.

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