Feast of Christmas

Author(s): Joseph F. Kelly

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ISBN-13: 9780814633250

Number of Pages: 136

Published: 01/09/2010

Many Christians struggle to balance the religious and secular elements of Christmas, but the history of the feast shows that this is nothing new. The religious Christmas has changed over the centuries and, contrary to many critics, is thriving today. This brief, accessible account will explain that:

The first Christians did not celebrate Christmas at all. The earliest mention of the feast occurs in the fourth century. In the Middle Ages Christmas moved into northern Europe where it became a major winter festival, competing with the pagan Yule. During the sixteenth century some Christians objected to Christmas because they claimed it had no biblical foundation. In England and New England the Puritans made it a crime to celebrate it! The modern secular Christmas arose in the nineteenth century, but the religious Christmas continued to grow in popularity and meshed well with the developing emphasis on Christmas as a day for family and friends. In today's world, rampant consumerism threatens the religious Christmas, but it continues not only to survive but to flourish, taking on new life and new forms.

By tracing these and other aspects of the religious celebration of Christmas through the centuries, Joseph F. Kelly does much more than provide us with interesting facts. He reassures us that though the religious Christmas may not be in its traditional form, it is indeed alive and well, and has a bright and promising future.

Joseph F. Kelly

Joseph F. Kelly, PhD, chair of the department of theology and religious studies at John Carroll University, is active in adult religious education in the Greater Cleveland area. The World of the Early Christians (1997), The Problem of Evil in the Western Tradition (2002), and History and Heresy (2012) are among his nine previous books published by Liturgical Press.

Here is a lovely and informative book that will help you get in the mood for Christmas. Kelly's analysis and reflections ... are wise and judicious.Donald Senior, The Bible Today An easy read, this would be a great book not only for the general audience for who Kelly wrote, but also for parish youth groups and even older Catholic school youngsters. It's just fun, fascinating, enjoyable. I also recommend a bit of Christmas customs and development reading during late spring!Liturgical Ministry Centuries of Christmas celebrations described with humor and snap. Kelly looks at the festivities from consumerist, secular, and Christian points of view. A grand gift for the season.Frederick W. Norris Professor of World Christianity, Emeritus Emmanuel School of Religion, Tennessee