Christmas
Christmas |
|
|
|
We hear also of the Boy-Bishop (Episcopus Puerorum), whose authority lasted from St. Nicholas’ day (December 6) till Childermas (December 28)... In most places the commemoration of Christ’s birth was included in the Feast of the Epiphany (Manifestations) on January 6, one of the oldest annual feasts.... There is no historical evidence that our Lord’s birthday was celebrated during the apostolic or early postapostolic times.... One of the dominant religious ideas of the second and third centuries was the belief in the divinity of the Sun… A very general observance required that on the 25th of December the birth of the "new Sun" should be celebrated... Uncertainty About Date of Christ’s Birth Uncertainty about Jesus’ birthday in the early third century is reflected in a disputed passage of the presbyter Hippolytus, who was banished to Sardinia by Maximin... Middle Ages. The great religious pioneers and missionaries who brought Christianity to the pagan tribes of Europe also introduced the celebration of Christmas… Pagan Parallels to (Dusares’ Birthday) Worship of a dying god, son of the Earth-mother, was the principal cult of this North Arabian people during the period...before and after the life of Jesus... Worshipers of Mithras Won by Making December 25 Birthday of Christ The worshipers of Mithras were won by taking over the birthday of Mithras, December 25, as the birthday of Christ... "Shall We Have a Christmas Tree?" God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship.
|
|
