Not having grown up in the church, most of its history has bypassed me so a newspaper article titled, Christians didn't always embrace Christmas holiday was intriguing. The Associated Press goes on to talk about how the church was slow to change.
The change didn't happen overnight. Though much of the 19th century, school and businesses remained open. Congress met in session and some churches closed their doors, lest errant worshippers tried to furtively commemorate the day... From the book, Christmas: A Candid History, goes on to explain that the major denominations - Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodist and Congregationalists either ignored the holiday of activity discouraged it until the late 19th century
The article goes on to explain, When Christmas began its march toward dominance among holidays, it was because of a change in the culture, not theology.
In America, the saying is that the minister follows the people, the people don't follow the minister. Christmas was more of a sociological change than a religious one. The home and the marketplace had more sway than the church..
Interesting stuff. We all have to grow and change, even the church. Am reading Velvet Elvis/Rob Bell and he talks about faith. The short version is that faith should look more like a trampoline than a brick wall. If faith is a brick wall with no give, if one of the bricks comes apart - the whole wall falls down. If faith is like a trampoline it will bounce and no harm done.
I like that analogy. I like the idea of my faith jumping up and down on a big trampoline. It might get bruised and tossed about but remains in tact - and in the middle of all that bouncing, comes Christmas. There is a place to embrace it in each of us and that is my wish for you this Christmas. May you land soundly and safely and stand up to embrace again.
Going take some time off - will be back January 2. May each of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love you all...zalaine.
