Interesting Thoughts...

My sister posted this on her blog site so I thought I would pass it along...interesting and well...true information...

(below taken from: http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/Why_did_Christmas_begin )

The History of Christmas

Before the fourth century, the primary Christian celebration was Easter, celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. For more information about Christmas and other holidays (literally means "holy days"), go to www.history.com.

I really wish more Christians would study what we believe, why we believe and what the historical basis for some of the things we scream from rooftops much to our horror in false speeches. Christmas should be a time that we remember who the true Light of the world is - but not because it was the historical basis of Christmas but because Christ was, is and always will be the true Light of the world. No matter what day of the year it is. Let us not scream false proclamations to our neighbors in horror because they do not believe what we believe accusing them false of taking out something that was never originally there - and instead let us pray seeking God's purpose and will - seeking where the Holy Spirit is leading each of us to reach out a hand helping someone in need. Christ gave us many many man commands and urgencies on our lives - to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to feed the poor, to help the widow..



Let us focus on the commands Christ gave us - and not waste so much time on the things that His Word never mention. Today is Christmas - let us as believers be ambassodors of Christ - the light on the hill - and be love to our families, our friends, and our neighbors who may not know the true Light of this world.

Peace He left with us - not as the world gives...but true peace. Let that be in our thoughts today.