My letter to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune today. Not sure if it will be published

Is Christmas a Christian adaptation of Saturnalia? That's widely believed, but there is an alternative idea as to why this festival is celebrated in December.

Some ancients believed that people died near to the date they were conceived. According to the Christian Gospels Jesus died at Passover time, in what we know as March or April. Hence, according to some, he would have been conceived at that time of year, and thus born nine months later, in December. So a December Christmas would be conceivable (pun intended!).

Christians have a blessed freedom in these United States to celebrate their festivals in any way they please. I suspect that most Christian celebrations of Christmas are not very different from those of non-Christians. They celebrate an essentially secular Christmas with a bit of Church thrown in. Never mind. It's great to have feasting, festivals and even worship which encourage charity and loving kindness for Christians and non-Christians alike.

And the culture will not falter or fall if Christians use "Merry Christmas" as a greeting. Members of other faiths, and people of no faith expect Christians to use their own greeting. Nor will the culture fall if others say "Happy Holidays".

For in this beautiful American kaleidescope of many faith and none, there is room for ""Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays".

(The Revd) J. Michael Povey
Episcopal Priest (retired) Sarasota

Comments

  1. Anonymous10 December 2007 at 12:40

    I saw your comment about Carla. Did she go to the shelter a lot? I new Carla the first 15 years of her life. I live out of state and I hope they arrest the person who committed this crime. Carla had a mental problem. I understand she went to the rehab center to get her meds regulated. I'm so sadden by her death. Please pray for her soul. She wasn't the person people are saying she is. They didn't know her condition. Did you ever talk with her? B

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