Comments on: How to Win the War Against Christmas

By: Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:54:23 +0000

Excellent article, Tom.

I wish a merry Chistmas to all the good people here.

By: Jonathan Gress

Jonathan Gress — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:34:24 +0000

My impression was that not only in traditionally Eastern Orthodox countries like Greece and Russia, but also southern Roman Catholic countries like Italy definitely take Easter more seriously than Christmas, not only in liturgical life but also in popular culture. The areas that ended up celebrating Christmas more vigorously were the northern, Germanic countries that eventually became Protestant (perhaps because of the pagan Yuletide feast, which did not exist in the Roman areas).
On this note, it´s probably worth noting that even the Protestant Handel´s Messiah was originally intended to be performed at Easter. It´s only modern secularist tastes that have pushed it back to Christmas, as the only Christian holiday that´s still popular.
The point one commenter made about the ancient Christian origins of Christmas is extremely interesting. Clearly in that respect Old Rome preserved the traditional date, since in the East it had fallen out of use, with Theophany (Epiphany) serving to celebrate both Christ´s birth and his baptism. The separate celebration of Christmas was reintroduced in New Rome around the time John Chrysostom was Archbishop. The Armenians, who shortly afterwards broke communion with Constantinople, still keep the Eastern custom of the time, celebrating Christ´s birth on Epiphany.

By: george

george — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:45:44 +0000

How come Tom Piatak picture is in black and white while the rest of Chronicles columnists are in colour?

By: Robert Bruce

Robert Bruce — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:59:15 +0000

I stand corrected, but you are missing my second point. Thing is why are you so worried about Christmas when the more drastic problems are within the church itself? The great Christian apologist Josh McDowell in a speech made before a large gathering of college kids estimated that 90% of self labeled Christians really weren't well Christian. What I see today is what can be called Christian anarchy, where folks take what they want out of the Bible to suit there own views. I mean you have churchgoers of all political persuasions, that support abortion, perpetual war, gay marriage, etc. In a large part of the church synods in the US, there virtually is no sin anymore, as the churches try to keep the butts in the seats by changing with the culture. In fact the megachurch movement is nothing more than the corporatization of the church. Think Christ kicked butt with those moenychangers in the temple? Wow he would really kick some butt with these televagelists today!!!!!! I am sorry, but this War on Christmas stuff is small potatoes, compared to what really is killing Christianity off.

By: Etienne Gervaise

Etienne Gervaise — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:52:09 +0000

Another way to celebrate Christmas is to burn a couple of hundred CDs, and pass them out to friends family, co-workers and sometimes complete strangers. I started doing it with cassettes back in the 80s when I was an "evangelical." Many fellow-parishioners did not own one single Christmas LP or tape, so I would make a couple of dozen to pass out at church. I made sure that the carols were historically church music, and if modern, needed to relate to the Nativity. I'll be Home For Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Winter Wonderland are now standard repertoire on many so-called Christian CDs. Perhaps that explains why nobody buys them. In case you think people would be offended, you're wrong. My customers -- about whom I know nothing of their faith -- ask if I've made a new one and when will I be giving them out. The number is now up to 500! I could easily dish out more if I started at Thanksgiving. It's begun an awful trend though, my Iranian dentist mails them out too. Nothing offensive on her CDs!

By: Tom Piatak

Tom Piatak — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:38:46 +0000

Etienne Gervaise:

And don't forget the most famous carol given to us by English Catholics, "Adeste Fideles," written by an English Catholic exile following the '45.

J. Meng:

Yes, I think there are a number of signs this year of a backlash against political correctness at this time of year.

By: J. Meng

J. Meng — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:02:13 +0000

@34 Etienne Gervaise, yes, and I have been lucky, so far. This past week I had to get out for some maintenance on my car and some grocery shopping. At both places, I was wished a Merry Christmas by the service manager and the check out clerk. I was surprised, but glad, and returned the same wish to them. Maybe, there is a glimmering movement beginning in reaction to the oppression of political correctness.

By: Etienne Gervaise

Etienne Gervaise — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:31:44 +0000

@32 Tom

The puritans from the time of Oliver Cromwell did indeed squelch Christmas. They had less luck with the pockets of Roman Catholics in England who gave us new carols like The 12 Days of Christmas.

But Prince Albert did introduce some German traditions into Victoria's England, notably the tree. This was ironic since the age of enlightened propsperity was causing many of the middle class to skip the church along with its teachings.

By: Etienne Gervaise

Etienne Gervaise — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:27:03 +0000

It may seem a small thing, but I reply to store clerks who sheepishly say,"Happy Holidays" with "and a merry Christmas to you!"

By: J. Meng

J. Meng — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:40:49 +0000

Mr. Robert Bruce, correct my #31 to read, "as much as I can sympathize with your cynicism toward Christmas commercialized..."

Mr. Piatak, the link was very informative and timely. Thanks.