William H. Smith November 21, 2001

1204 Christmas Tree Lane about 400 words

Pearce, Az. 85625

303-36-7671

(520) 826-1029

Christmas

By

William H. Smith

Christmas, a day in December that decorations are placed about the homes, businesses, and Church buildings, they range anywhere between pretty to gaudy. This is also the time of year when gifts are expected.

Where did the word Christmas come from? Christmas came into existence about the year of 350 AD it was first called Christ's Mass, later it was combined to form the word Christmas. The birth of Christ and a Pagan holiday, called The Festival of Nativity was combined, and celebrated on December the 25th. The customs of Pagans can be dated back to over 2000 BC, the giving of gifts, parades, carolers, and the burning of Yule logs. These customs can be traced back to the Mesopotamian era. The Persians and Babylonians also had a similar festival that was called, Sacaes.

The Roman Pagans celebrated a festival called, Jo Satumalia. It was observed from the middle of December until the first of January. Christ's birth was introduced into this Pagan holiday time frame.

Jesus Christ's birthday was first celebrated in 98AD, and in 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the observance of his birthday, about the year 310 AD when Emperor Constantine was ruling, the birth of Christ and the Roman pagan holiday Jo Satumalia were combined. Julius I the Bishop of Rome in 350 AD choose December 25th as the day to observe Christ's birthday (Christmas), and thus it remains today.

The Christians of today are celebrating both the birth of Christ and the Roman pagan holiday jointly. Should we Christians be making this celebration? Of course Christian children would be disappointed if they saw other children receiving presents and they received none. The two holidays could be separated, in order to praise one holiday and not the other. When the birthday of Jesus Christ is celebrated it seems it should be done without disgracing it with paganism. Why not use two days, one to celebrate the birth of Christ, and the other day to give gifts and observe Paganism. You do realize that Jesus was not born on December the 25th.

Can a true loyal Christian be found anywhere today? We will be called to answer for our shortcomings on judgment day, could this be something that will need to be answered to.

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