Difference between revisions of "Christmas"
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(Unimportant in liturgy. Puritans thought it was Papist. Much of what we now celebrate originated in Victorian England) |
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In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a pine tree (Christmas tree) in their house, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as the greatest gift of all. | In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a pine tree (Christmas tree) in their house, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as the greatest gift of all. | ||
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| + | The status of Christmas has varied over the years. Christmas is a relatively unimportant holiday in the Christian liturgy (less important, for example, than the Feast of the Epiphany). Early Protestants, including the Puritans who settled in Plymouth, denounced it as Papist. Many of the customs we have come to associate with Christmas developed in Victorian England, notably the Christmas Tree (which originated in Germany and was introduced in England by Prince Albert). | ||
Fox News pundits John Gibson and Bill O'Reilly claim that Christmas has come under attack by "liberals." | Fox News pundits John Gibson and Bill O'Reilly claim that Christmas has come under attack by "liberals." | ||
Revision as of 20:25, March 8, 2007
Christmas is a holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25th by the Roman Catholic church and most Protestant denominations, and on January 7th by the Orthodox Catholic Church.
In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a pine tree (Christmas tree) in their house, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as the greatest gift of all.
The status of Christmas has varied over the years. Christmas is a relatively unimportant holiday in the Christian liturgy (less important, for example, than the Feast of the Epiphany). Early Protestants, including the Puritans who settled in Plymouth, denounced it as Papist. Many of the customs we have come to associate with Christmas developed in Victorian England, notably the Christmas Tree (which originated in Germany and was introduced in England by Prince Albert).
Fox News pundits John Gibson and Bill O'Reilly claim that Christmas has come under attack by "liberals."