320 - Richard Rohlin - The Universal History of Christmas
Dec 14, 2023
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Historian Richard Rohlin discusses the history and significance of Christmas, exploring topics such as the controversy surrounding Christmas in the worship wars, the evolution of Christmas celebrations, the banning of Christmas by the Puritans, different perspectives on the holiday, and the importance of actively celebrating to prevent loss of faith.
Christmas combines religious symbolism with cultural traditions.
Martin Luther's influence shaped the development of Christmas traditions.
Christmas incorporates pagan traditions and religious symbolism.
Christmas traditions have evolved while preserving the essence of joy, giving, and spiritual reflection.
Deep dives
Celebrating the Ultimate Expression of the High Becoming Low
Christmas is a celebration of the ultimate expression of the pattern of the high becoming low. This pattern manifests the idea of the highest thing becoming the lowest, the weakest, and the most insignificant. The essence of the feast lies in the retelling of the story of Adam and Eve, emphasizing the fall of man and the need for redemption. The focus on Adam and Eve continues through the use of the paradise tree and the reading of Genesis. Christmas trees and evergreen decorations symbolize the persistence of life in the darkest season. The celebration also includes feasting, playing passion plays, caroling, and acts of charity. While the Reformation gave birth to both the modern celebration of Christmas and the anti-Christmas movement, traditional societies demonstrate a dance between rigidity and flexibility, allowing for a mix of solemnity and revelry. Overall, Christmas is a rich and meaningful celebration that combines religious symbolism with cultural traditions.
Christmas Traditions in the Reformation Period
During the Reformation period, Martin Luther's influence led to the flourishing of Christmas hymns and carols in Lutheranism. The production of hymns played a significant role in the development of Christmas traditions, and Luther himself was a strong advocate for Christmas celebrations. Luther's influence also popularized the use of Christmas trees as symbols of the paradise tree. The Reformation period also witnessed the birth of both the Christmas celebration as we know it today and the anti-Christmas movement. The focus on Christmas as a holy day for mass and the coronation of kings contributed to its significance and popularity. The celebration of Christmas in the early modern period was marked by passion plays, feasting, caroling, and acts of charity. These traditions continue to be cherished and adapted in both religious and cultural contexts today.
The Transformation of Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions have evolved and transformed over time as they absorbed elements from various cultures and mythologies. The celebration of Christmas incorporates both pagan traditions and religious symbolism. The use of evergreen decorations, such as holly and fir trees, serves as a reminder of life and light during the darkest winter days. The incorporation of mistletoe and the exchange of gifts during Christmas festivities are other examples of how different symbols became part of the celebration. The social inversion during Christmas, with the rich feasting for the poor and the celebration of the high becoming low, reflects Christian values of humility, charity, and community. While some traditions and practices have changed in modern times, the essence of Christmas remains a time of joy, compassion, and the celebration of the birth of Christ.
The Continuity of Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions have continued to be cherished and modified throughout the centuries, reflecting the importance of the holiday in both religious and cultural contexts. The celebration of Christmas includes the retelling of the story of Adam and Eve, emphasizing the fall of man and the need for redemption. The use of carols, passion plays, and the reenactment of biblical events during Christmas Eve refreshes the symbolism and significance of the holiday. The tradition of charity and acts of kindness towards the poor during the Christmas season has remained an integral part of the celebration. Overall, Christmas traditions have shown continuity and flexibility, evolving over time while preserving the essence of the holiday as a time of joy, giving, and spiritual reflection.
The Significance of Christmas as an Evangelical Feast
Christmas is one of the five evangelical feasts, along with Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost. The speaker questions why these feasts were chosen over other events in the Gospels. The significance of Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost lies in their coherence and connection to the scriptural narrative. While other events are also mentioned in the Gospels, these five feasts form a cluster that can be traced back to scriptural references. In American Christianity, Christmas and Easter hold particular spiritual significance, with Christmas serving as a major celebration before Easter.
The History and Controversy of Christmas Celebrations
Christmas celebrations faced opposition from groups like the Puritans, who viewed the holiday as superstitious and associated it with Roman Catholicism. The Puritans sought to purify the Church of England, and in 1645, they imposed a ban on Christmas celebrations, making it illegal in England until the restoration in 1660. Despite attempts to suppress or alter the holiday, Christmas experienced a renaissance in the late 19th century, thanks to movements like the Oxford Movement and the works of authors like Charles Dickens. Christmas became widely celebrated in the United States and was declared a federal holiday in 1870.
The Symbolism and Meaning of Christmas
Christmas represents the intersection of different times: homogenous time, great time, and eternity. It is a kyrotic time, filled with meaning and symbolic significance. The celebration of Christmas allows for the regenerative power of the holy moment, where the vertical and horizontal dimensions of time converge. By participating in the celebration of Christmas, individuals can bridge the gap between secular time and the higher times of eternity and the great time. By embracing the symbolism and participating in the rituals of Christmas, individuals can draw closer to Christ, their neighbors, and experience a deeper sense of meaning and connection in their lives.
In this episode of the Universal History podcast, Richard Rohlin and I discuss Christmas, why it looks the way it does, how Christmas developed into what we have today, and why you absolutely should celebrate it if you’re a Christian.
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Related discussions:
Universal History: The Deep Symbolism of Groundhog Day | with Richard Rohlin: https://youtu.be/dX6PZBS1Q9Q?si=3m-oGjhKplytfAI4
Universal History: The Christian Continuation of Hanukkah | with Richard Rohlin: https://youtu.be/MKQc7AZvK2A?si=3LETrHV5Vj5Jm8h5
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as Modern Mythmaking: https://youtu.be/2z87XnoXrjo?si=csKtcE59MkSQIx6G
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