The Christian Calendar
I am beginning a new series on holidays, focusing especially on Christian holidays. This will give me the opportunity to explore the origins of some…
Advent: A Season of Preparation and Hope
Advent is the name given to the period of preparation leading up to Christmas. It begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ends on…
When Was Jesus Born?
First of all, it is unlikely that Jesus was born on December 25. The Bible does not tell us the date of Christ’s birth. The…
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
In recent years it has become the norm in public to wish people “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.” I can understand the concern about…
The Origin of Santa Claus
There are many Christmas customs that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ. What about the the most distinctive Christmas symbol of all,…
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Have you ever wondered about the “twelve days of Christmas”? In the U.S. many people think that the “twelve days of Christmas” are the 12…
Valentines Day
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love, usually accompanied by an exchange of cards, flowers and candy. On several occasions as I was doing…
Saint Patrick’s Day
Tomorrow is Saint Patrick’s Day. What was the origin of this day, and who was Saint Patrick? And what in the world does it have…