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The History of Christmas

The History of Christmas. Sacred History. Secular History. Bible Authority. The History of Christmas. Sacred History. Everything the Bible says about Christmas: Nothing Disciples did not observe Holy Spirit did not reveal Apostles did not command. The History of Christmas.

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The History of Christmas

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  1. The History of Christmas Sacred History Secular History Bible Authority

  2. The History of Christmas Sacred History • Everything the Bible says about Christmas: • Nothing • Disciples did not observe • Holy Spirit did not reveal • Apostles did not command

  3. The History of Christmas Sacred History • Christmas is extra-biblical in origin • “Neither Christmas (… Christ + Mass) • nor the actual celebration • of the anniversary of the birth of Christ • is recorded in the Bible” • - Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible

  4. The History of Christmas Sacred History • Christmas is extra-biblical in origin • “Christmas was not among • the earliest festivals of the Church” • - Catholic Encyclopedia

  5. The History of Christmas Secular History • Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia • Earliest known reference to date • of Christ’s birth is around 200 AD • End of 4th century special services adopted • Originally a religious celebration… • Gradual addition of practices of nations • “The assimilation of such practices generally represented efforts by Christians to transform or absorb otherwise pagan practices”

  6. The History of Christmas Secular History • Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? • Two dates: Jan. 6 & Dec. 25 (Zondervan) • Assigned to every month (Catholic Enc.) • “the Gospels give no help…” (Catholic Enc.)

  7. The History of Christmas Secular History • Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? • “The date was chosen to counter • pagan festivities connected with • the winter solstice; • since 274, under the emperor Aurelian, Rome had celebrated • the feast of the ‘Invincible Sun’ • on December 25” • - Grolier Encyclopedia

  8. The History of Christmas Secular History • Why Dec. 25 for Christ’s birth? • “The well-known solar feast… • of NatalisInvicti, • celebrated on 25 December, • has strong claim on the responsibility for our December date” • - Catholic Encyclopedia

  9. The History of Christmas Secular History • Other things associated with Christmas • Tree: pagan, Anglo-Saxon (history.com) • Gifts: Feast of Saturnalia (Zondervan) • Yule Log: Norse festival (thehistoryofchristmas.com)

  10. The History of Christmas Secular History • Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) • “as late as the 1840s Christmas trees • were seen as pagan symbols • and not accepted by most Americans”

  11. The History of Christmas Secular History • Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) • “Oliver Cromwell preached against ‘heathen traditions’ of Christmas carols, decorated trees,…”

  12. The History of Christmas Secular History • Pagan connection traditionally condemned (history.com) • “In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance • of December 25 (other than a church service) • a penal offense.”

  13. The History of Christmas Bible Authority • Warned about adding to or taking from • The Law, Deut. 4:2 • Not to right or left, Josh. 1:7 • Punishment, Rev. 22:18, 19 • Wisdom, Prov. 30:6 • Example, 1 Kgs. 12:25-33

  14. The History of Christmas Bible Authority • Must have divine authority, Mt. 21:23-27 • Direct statement, Acts 2:38 • Approved example, Acts 20:7 • Necessary inference, Acts 15:7-11 • No authority for the church • to have a religious celebration of Christmas

  15. The History of Christmas Bible Authority • Individual liberty, Rom. 14:5 • Birthdays • Patriotic Days (4th of July) • Days of rest/reflection (Thanksgiving) • Days of respect (Mother’s Day) • Days for family (Easter, Christmas)

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