The Michael Knowles Show
A History of Christmas | Bishop Barron
Dec 25, 2023
Michael Knowles interviews renowned figure in religious scholarship, Bishop Barron, on the history of Christmas. They explore the origins and cultural significance of the holiday, the historicity of Christianity, the interpretation of Jesus within a Jewish context, the threefold divine law, the relationship between faith, reason, and revelation, and the importance of reading classical texts and scripture in Christianity.
39:42
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Quick takeaways
- Christmas is historically grounded in the pagan feast day of the soul and victors, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world.
- Christianity differentiates itself from mythic systems by emphasizing the importance of actual historical events, such as the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate.
Deep dives
December 25th corresponds to the pagan feast day
The widely accepted view is that the exact birth date of Jesus is unknown, but December 25th aligns with the pagan feast day of the soul and victors, which celebrates the return of the light. This association symbolizes Christ as the light of the world. However, some argue that the feast of the Annunciation on March 25th, nine months prior to December 25th, is even older than the assigned Christmas feast. The wider point is that Christianity is an historical religion, not a mythic system, making specific claims about real events, such as the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. Understanding the historical and cultural significance of Christmas is vital to grasping its deep meaning.
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