596: The Surprising Origins of Christmas in America with W. David O. Taylor
The Holy Post
The Surprising Origins of Christmas in America
The guest, W. David O. Taylor, discusses the complex history of Christmas in America, challenging the common assumption that Christians have always celebrated the holiday and highlighting its secularization over time.
If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do most Christians celebrate Christmas at home with their families rather than at church? David Taylor, a professor of culture and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, joins Skye to discuss the origins of Christmas in America. He says Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Coca-Cola have done more to influence how we celebrate the birth of Jesus than gospel writers. And he explains why the Puritans who first settled in America believed Christmas was satanic. Speaking of Satan, we have an update on the Satanic Temple display in the Iowa State Capital. The Texas Supreme Court made a controversial, and confusing, ruling about abortion. And what happens when Americans say they’re more religious but they are less likely to engage in religious practices like attending a church?
Holy Post Plus Getting Schooled - Saint Nicholas
https://www.patreon.com/posts/94956592
0:00 - Intro
1:29 - Show starts
3:57 - Theme Song
4:18 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to download your family refugee guide and learn more about the Path Community
5:37 - Live Show Recap
11:14 - Satanic Statue Decapitated
22:01 - Texas Abortion Case
44:09 - Republican and Democrat attitudes towards Religion
56:33 - Sponsor - Get 35% off your first order of Sundays. Go to www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.
57:44 - Sponsor - Magic Spoon - Go to www.magicspoon.com/HOLYPOST and use code HOLYPOST to get $5 off
59:23 - Interview Intro
1:05:28 - The Puritan’s impact on Christmas
1:09:18 - Queen Victoria’s impact on Christmas
1:17:23 - Charles Dickens impact on Christmas
1:26:44 - Christmas in America Today
1:35:36 - End Credits
Links mentioned in news segment:
Satanic Temple says part of display in Iowa Capitol 'destroyed beyond repair'
Religion as a Cultural and Political Identity
https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/religion-as-a-cultural-and-political
5 things to know about the latest abortion case in Texas
Other resources:
https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/
THE LIGHT HAS COME: PRAYER CARDS FOR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY
Daily Advent Devotionals by David Taylor
https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/blog/daily-advent-devotionals
Why Putting Christ Back in Christmas Is Not Enough
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