Christmas, Pagan Romans and Frodo Baggins

Crisis Magazine ^ | December 23, 2011 | Rev. Dwight Longenecker

[EagleUSA]

I wonder how these “intellectuals” view Islam ??

[NYer]

I received a heavy dose of such ignorant, anti-catholicism yesterday when the cable channel which had been playing Christmas music, suddenly switched to the image of a man named, Yisrayl Hawkins, from somewhere in Texas. He used his 30 minute program to slam the Catholic Church, accusing it of paganism and other incendiary remarks, He is the founder of the House of Yahweh. Never heard of this group but I laughed heartily as he tried to interpret scripture to fit the outlandish image he was trying to portray. Guess these idiots are still out there stirring up pots of the ignorant.

[exnavy]

People "say" lots of things, that doesn't make it so.

I can "say" I am a Coupe De ville, I'm still only an F-150!

[sayuncledave]

Nice essay. Thank you for posting it. I always figured that the priest who once said this had it: the Blessed Mother knew when she gave birth to Our Lord. She did spend time with the Apostles. And she told them. Who would know better than her?

[RichInOC]

However, the Romans also wore silly hats, got drunk, danced naked in the streets, propped up the statue of Saturn on a couch to observe the revelries, reversed roles between slaves and masters, and put green drapes around their doorways.

The origin of the modern-day holiday party.

[vladimir998]

Hawkins is a cult leader. He can be ignored.

[netmilsmom]

I think I know what Yisrayl Hawkins FReepername is.

[AgThorn]

Old fashioned protestants? really? So when do THEY celebrate Christmas?

I don’t know of any ‘protestant’ faith that doesn’t celebrate Christmas on 12/25. I understand the comment coming from Athiest perhaps, but lets not cause a ‘divide’ that is not there between Catholics and Protestants on this one.

[AgThorn]

However, the Romans also wore silly hats, got drunk, danced naked in the streets, propped up the statue of Saturn on a couch to observe the revelries, reversed roles between slaves and masters, and put green drapes around their doorways.

Now that's something you can definitely say the Catholics have modeled themselves after ... at least the pre-Lenten Mardi-gras Catholics of Lousiana! ;-)

[GOP Poet]

Bookmark

[narses]

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[Mach9]

Thank you, NYer! One such rant appears on another thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7k0_IX3Roo Pure Twilight Zone.

[Larry Lucido]

got drunk, danced naked in the streets, propped up the statue of Saturn

At least they weren't celebrating Uranus...

[afraidfortherepublic]

and put green drapes around their doorways.

And afterwards they sewed those drapes into dresses and went out to cheat the carpetbaggers. s/off

[afraidfortherepublic]

and put green drapes around their doorways.

And afterwards they sewed those drapes into dresses and went out to cheat the carpetbaggers. s/off

[Radagast the Fool]

Yeah, well, I worship Frodo Baggins.
So there!!

[Tax-chick]

If the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived on March 25, then he was born nine months later on December 25. The date for Christmas is therefore determined by the date of the Annunciation ...

I pointed this out to my Sunday School class when we discussed Christmas. Particularly in these times, I think it's essential to emphasize that the Incarnation occurred at the Annunciation, not at the Nativity.

[Sergio]

bkmk

[surroundedbyblue]

No I disagree with you. I know many non-denominational Protestants who refuse to acknowledge Dec 25 as the birthday of Our Lord because “it’s a Catholic man-made tradition not based in scripture”.

So yes there is a divide there. No one is attempting to invent one - it already exists.