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People all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th. But why is the Nativity marked by gift giving, and was He really born on that day? And just where did the Christmas tree come from? Take an enchanting tour through the history of this beloved holiday and trace the origins of its enduring traditions. Journey back to the earliest celebrations when the infant religion embraced pagan solstice festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and turned them into a commemoration of Jesus’ birth. Learn how Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the English-speaking world in 1841, and discover how British settlers in the New World transformed the patron saint of children into jolly old St. Nick. This documentary explores the origin of Christmas and how it came to be the way we know it today. The documentary also incites the thought as to how Christmas is on one hand a result of social, cultural, and political influences (hence somewhat obscuring the apparent purpose of the festival: Christ’s Mass), and on the other hand a influence over people’s lives (particularly consumerism).

25 Responses to Christmas unWrapped- The History of Christmas [4/5]

  • sheppaul says:

    it does seem like pagans seem to enjoy life more

  • sheppaul says:

    can that corn!

  • imarightwing says:

    sheppaul,Does the shep stand for sheep or maybe shepard? lol

  • imarightwing says:

    snatch ahem,whatever..I made a similar comment.God is not so worried about such trivial things as He is the major things,such as arguing what He says in His word ,mxstilgar

  • imarightwing says:

    hymnofashes, on people such as you,done deal

  • hymnofashes says:

    @imarightwing

    give up.

  • tubadawg1 says:

    “pure domestic affection”

    how was this accepted? presents are not affection.

  • naganokumas says:

    Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker meet on the bridge.
    Darth says, with heavy breathing “Luke, I know what you’re getting for Christmas.”
    Luke says, “No you don’t. How could you possibly know?”
    Darth: “Luke, I know.”
    Luke: “No. You can’t possibly know.”
    Darth: “Luke, I have felt your presents.”

  • Snatchbot88 says:

    not a big deal man =P

    if you think your life is that important then you can simply not buy a tree

    but to bequite blunt with you man;

    posting a comment on youtube is not going to change the world’s traditions, and i truly believe almost nobody considers the christmas tree sacred today, as almost nobody holds anything sacred today and for the most part only worship money.

    your so intense dude why don’t you just chill, we do FAR more profane and stupid things then decorating trees! geez

  • Snatchbot88 says:

    when i am independent, i wont buy a tree because its not THAT pretty to look at. but it’s here, and i don’t care either way.

    this is simply not a concern for most anybody today. if your going to talk to christians why not deliver a more meaningful message. even the bible itself states that the power of prophecy is limited, and this is a perfect example or bad translation

    it just means that we should put no importance in such trivial practices. thats all. its just a silly thing we do here. e

  • Snatchbot88 says:

    that jeremiah quote was written before the use of a christmas tree for a winter celebration, of any kind.

    all he is saying is that nature is best left in its natural beauty, and that dressing up “things” frivolously is nonsense, and revering said things as sacred will not lead you to a higher ecstasy, and not to god. it is not a significant quote, and it is not something you need worry about unless you believe christmas trees are holy;

  • Snatchbot88 says:

    @mxstilgar

    dude, that was written way before people used the “christmas tree” or any other kind of festive tree to celebrate christmas. that is not what it refers to.

    christmas is cold. there is little food.

    people come together for these reasons, and it breaks down social barriers, and they have fun.

    as long as you don’t hold the tree as sacred, or any other part of the holiday besides the fun of it, god is not going to bother you for it.

    you can take my word on this,

    peace.

  • sheppaul says:

    blow it out your bible

  • ashxf says:

    Why do you have to be any religion to appreciate the festive time of year? How about we all stop being so exclusive and start being INclusive?

  • imarightwing says:

    You gotta be A Jahovas witness.. Get Saved!! Romans 10:9-11 God knows our Heart.Not even man knows his own heart.God knows we are not worshiping the tree or santa claus..There are so many things that a REAL christian has to worry about to stay right with God daily,that a christmas tree and a santa claus are such an insignificant thing to get all hyped over,when a real christian should really be worrying about the sins he commits everyday and his walk with Christ.Merry Christmas!No More, Done

  • imarightwing says:

    Christ never had anything to do with this pagan festival!!
    Real Christians, I implore you, stop observing this pagan festival!God never said that and when quoting scripture you should do just that! Let’s read a little further ok?Deut12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices and your tithes,and heave offerings of your hand..ect,ect,Thank God for the Grace We are the Gentiles Not the Hebrews,We are not under the law! santa&trees are NOT worshiped as the pagans did

  • mxstilgar says:

    The origin is unknown, though some writers have pointed to pre-Christian rituals involving the spirits of sacred trees such as the oak, ash, holly or hawthorn

  • mxstilgar says:

    It is not from the King James Bible, imarightwing? Really?
    Maybe you should dust off your copy of the King James Bible (if you own one) and read Deuteronomy 12 : 30-32

  • mxstilgar says:

    Saturnalia and In Sol Invictus were observed by pagans around the winter solstice for over 2,000 years BEFORE Jesus birth! Show me anywhere in the Bible that Jesus and his disciples observed this winter festival?

    Mark 7:9
    And he [JESUS] said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

  • mxstilgar says:

    Check my favorites for
    “Christmas, The Plain Truth parts 1 – 3”

  • mxstilgar says:

    Check Jeremiah 10: 1-4
    Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel.
    Thus saith the LORD: “Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. .

  • mxstilgar says:

    I was speaking to REAL Christians, and I am imploring them to find the real truth. And what does “TheFallchild336” respond? He suggests Christians abandon their faith and become all-ot pagans! Great logic, Fallchild.

  • imarightwing says:

    Take a chill pill!!What bible are you quoting from? Sure isn’t the King James..Santa and the tree is what man threw into the holiday..”Jesus” is “The Reason” for the season!!

  • TheFallchild336 says:

    Wrong again friend. A tree is symbolic just as a bush or the ocean or a grain of sand is symbolic of Nature and its spiritual quality. Saying pagans think a god resides in and only in a tree is like saying Christians think that Christ only resides in the cross hanging on their wall. Again, reading (things OTHER THAN the bible for education) is a great thing to do!

  • TheFallchild336 says:

    “Real Christians”, rather than taking heed to this person, how about you do some research and find what religion suits YOU best? Maybe Paganism is a natural calling to you? Read “Pagans and Christians” by Gus DiZerega, PhD. It will open your eyes. Stop the blind hate please.

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