:::The Roots of Modern Christmas:::
To those who view Christmas with reverential awe, this description might be disturbing. Just 150 years ago, however, Christmas was a very different holiday. In his book "The Battle for Christmas" professor of history Stephen Nissenbaum writes: "Christmas... was a time of heavy drinking when the rules that governed people's public behavior were momentarily abandoned in favor of an unrestrained carnival…a kind of December Mardi Gras." Christmas has evolved on a faulty foundation.
First, from its inception in the fourth century, it has been surrounded by controversy. For example, there was the question of Jesus' birthday and according to scripture the herds were in the fields during his birth. And during December the herds are in the stables making it impossible for a December conception. Since the bible does not specify either the day or the month of Christ's birth, a variety of dates have been suggested. In the third century, one group of Egyptian theologians placed it on May 20, while others favored earlier dates, such as March 28, April 2, or April19. By the 18th century, Jesus' birth had been associated with every month of the year! How, then was December 25 finally chosen?
Most scholars agree that December 25 was assigned by the Catholic Church as Jesus' birthday. Why? Most probably the reason," says "The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, "is that early Christians wished the date to coincide with the Pagan Roman festival marking the 'birthday of the unconquered sun." But why would Christians who were viciously persecuted by Pagans for over two and a half centuries all of a sudden yield to their persecutors?
Following the so-called conversion of Constantine in the fourth century, vast numbers of Pagans flocked to the form of Christianity that then prevailed. The results, the book "Early Christianity and Paganism states: " The comparatively little body of earnest true believers was lost in the great multitude of professed false Christians." It was as if genuine Christians were being gobbled up by Pagan "corruption". And nowhere was this contamination more apparent than in the celebration of holidays.
Because of the idolatrous practices associated with Roman festivals, early Christians did not share in them. For this reason third century Pagans reproached Christians, saying: "You do not visit exhibitions; you have no concern in public displays; you reject the public banquets, and abhor the sacred contest." Pagans on the other hand bragged: "We worship the gods with cheerfulness, with feasts, song and games." By the middle of the fourth century the grumbling subsided. How so? As more and more counterfeit Christians crept into the fold, apostate ideas multiplied. This led to compromises with the Roman world. Commenting on this, the book "The Paganism in Our Christianity" states: " It was a definite Christian policy to take over the Pagan festivals endeared to the people by tradition and to give them a Christian significance."
Yes, the great apostasy was taking its toll. The willingness of the so-called Christians to adopt Pagan celebrations now brought a measure of acceptance within the community. Before long Christians came to have as many annual festivals as the Pagans themselves. Not surprisingly Christmas was foremost among them. As the predominant form of Christianity spread across Europe, Christians expanded with it. The Catholic Church adopted the viewpoint that it was fitting to perpetuate a joyous festival in honor of Jesus' birthday. Accordingly in 567C.E their council of Tours "proclaimed the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany as a sacred and festive season."
The Catholic Encyclopedia for School and Home: "Christmas soon absorbed many features from the profane harvest festivals of northern Europe. Merrymaking remained more common than piety as revelers indulged in gluttonous eating and drinking. Rather than speak out against the loose conduct the church endorsed it." In 601 CE Pope Gregory the first wrote to Mellitus his missionary in England telling him "not to stop such ancient Pagan festivities, but to adapt them to the rites of the church, only changing the reason for them from a heathen to a Christian impulse."
Thus reports Arthur Wegall who once was inspector general of antiquities for the Egyptian government. "During the Middle Ages reform-minded individuals felt the need to speak out against such excesses. They sent out numerous decrees against the abuses of Christmas merriment." Dr. Penne Restad, in her book Christmas in America--A History says: "Some clergy stressed that fallen humankind needed a season of abandon and excess, as long as it was carried on under the umbrella of Christian supervision." This only added to the confusion. It hardly mattered though for Pagan customs were already so closely fused with Christmas that most people were unwilling to give them up.
Writer Tristram Coffin put it this way: " People at large were doing just what they had always done and paying little attention to the debates of the moralist." By the time Europeans began settling the New World, (America) Christmas was a well-known holiday. Still Christmas did not fine favor in the colonies. Puritan reformers viewed the celebration as Pagan and banned it in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681. After the ban was lifted the celebration of Christmas increased throughout the colonies, particularly south of New England. In view of the holidays past however it is not surprising that some were more concerned with having a good time than with honoring God's Son. One Christmas custom that was especially disruptive was that of wassailing. Rowdy bands of young men would enter the homes of wealthy neighbors and demand free food and drink in a trick-or-treat fashion. If the householder refused, he was usually cursed and occasionally his house was vandalized.
Conditions in the 1820's worsened to the point that "Christmas misrule" became "an acute social threat," says Professor Nissenbaum. In cities like New York and Philadelphia, wealthy landowners began hiring watchmen to guard their estates. It is even said that New York City organized its first professional police force in response to a violent riot during the 1827-28 Christmas season. The Christmas Make Over.
The 19th century brought unprecedented changes to humankind. People, goods, and news began to travel much faster as a network of roads and railroads emerged. The industrial revolution created millions of jobs, and factories churned out a steady supply of merchandise. Industrialization also introduced new and complex social problems which ultimately affected the way Christmas was celebrated.
People have long used holidays as a means to strengthen family ties, and so it is with Christmas. By selectively reworking some of the older Christmas traditions, its promoters effectively changed Christmas from a wild carnival like festival to a family-based holiday. Indeed by the late 19th century Christmas came to be viewed as a sort of antidote to the ills of modern American life. "Of all holidays." says Dr. Restad " Christmas was a perfect agency for transporting religion and religious feeling into the home and for righting the excesses and failures of the public world."
She adds: " Gift-giving, gestures of charity, even the friendly exchange of a holiday greeting and the decoration and enjoyment of an evergreen tree set in a parlor or later a Sunday school hall linked members of each nuclear family to one another, to church, and to society." In a similar vein, many today celebrate Christmas as a means to affirm their love for one another and to help maintain family unity. Not to be overlooked of course are the spiritual dimensions. Millions of people celebrate Christmas in honor of Jesus' birth. They may attend special church services, put up Nativity scenes at home, or offer prayers of thanks to the Nazarene himself.
Many may not be aware that the Nazarene himself directed all worship to his father, and not to him as is shown during the Christmas season. Through the pages of the Bible it is made clear that the Creator hates all forms of deception.
In view of this is it not ironic that so many features associated with Christmas smack of falsehood. For instance, think of the fairy tale about Santa Claus. Have you ever tried explaining to a child why Santa prefers entering through a chimney instead of a door as is widely held in many lands? And how does Santa visit so many millions of homes in just one evening. What about flying reindeer. When a child learns that he has been deceived about believing that Santa is a real person, does it not undermine his trust? The "Catholic Encyclopedia plainly states: "Pagan customs....Gravitated to Christmas." One might wonder then, why this holiday and its customs are perpetuated. Does that not indicate a condoning of Pagan teachings?
The commercial establishments are smiling all the way to the bank and the consumers are crying at the site of the first rush of bills in January. Clearly the facts about modern Christmas are not very flattering. It is largely a manufactured holiday with much evidence pointing to a degraded past. In all good conscience then millions of Christians have decided not to celebrate Christmas. On the other hand, millions of others have decided to continue to celebrate a season steeped in Paganism. What will You decide? Maybe the others will never know what you know now after reading this.
This post has been edited by DeathStalker: Dec 20 2006, 02:21 AM
Christmas, Its origins and history.
Dec 20 2006, 01:48 AM
