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 …