Christmas: Difference between revisions

The commemoration of Jesus’ birth on December 25 has no basis at all in the Bible. The records of Jesus’ birth can be found in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] and the [[Gospel of Luke]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+2%3A1-11&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Matthew 2:1–11|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+2%3A1-20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Luke 2:1–20|quote=}}</ref> As for the time of His birth, there is a hint in the Gospel of Luke. According to the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus was born in a in a private family house in Bethlehem, shepherds were out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+2%3A6-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Luke 2:6–8|quote=}}</ref> Israel's climate is hot and dry in summer and relatively cool and humid in winter. There are large regional differences in precipitation and temperature, but the rainy season is from November to April, and December belongs to the winter season. Bethlehem is located in the highlands of the eastern Mediterranean, so the temperature is low even in summer and it even snows in December. Based on the record that shepherds tended the sheep at night, most scholars generally accept that the time of Jesus’ birth was not winter but spring.<ref>Richard V. Barnett, ''The Case for Israel'', Writers Republic LLC, 2020, p. 35</ref><ref>John Schwarz, ''A Handbook of the Christian Faith'', Bethany House, 2004, p. 76</ref>

Santa Claus was modeled after a real person named Saint Nicholas (270–343) who was the bishop of Myra, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkiye) around the 3rd and 4th centuries. It is said that he had helped the poor and the unfortunate, giving alms. After his death, the Catholic Church appointed him as the patron saint of children, sailors, unmarried virgins, merchants, and pawnbrokers, and celebrated Saint Nicholas Day on December 6 to commemorate him. His legend, combined with the Nordic folktale about a magician who punishes naughty children and gives gifts to good ones, gave rise to the custom of putting small gifts under children’s pillows, shoes, or plates on the eve of St. Nicholas Day.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas St. Nicholas], bishop of Myra, ''Britannica''</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Nicholas-Day "St. Nicholas Day,"] <i>Britannica</i></ref> The Dutch who immigrated to the new continent of America followed the Catholic custom and called it Sinterklaas, which became the present English pronunciation of Santa Claus.<ref name=":0">[https://www.artandobject.com/slideshows/how-santa-claus-has-changed-throughout-history How Santa Claus Has Changed Throughout History], ''Art & Object'', December 1, 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/santa-claus Santa Claus], ''HISTORY.COM'', December 14, 2021</ref>

{{quote5 |내용= After they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Deuteronomy+12%3A30&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Deuteronomy 12:30]}}{{quote5 |내용= “You fear the sword, and the sword is what I will bring against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will drive you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners and inflict punishment on you. You will fall by the sword, and I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. This city will not be a pot for you, nor will you be the meat in it; I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. And you will know that I am the LORD, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.” |출처= [https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Ezekiel+11%3A8-12&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 Ezekiel 11:8–12]}}

*[[Commandments of God]]

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