The Reason for the Season

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid,
for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy
which will be to all people. For there is born to you
this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord." [Luke 2:10-11]

Today, despite the best efforts of modern Grinches, Americans continue to widely celebrate the traditional holiday of Christmas. But support for this holiday was quite mixed in early America.

The celebration of Christmas in colonial America was generally supported by High Church denominations (such as Catholics, Anglicans, and Episcopalians) and not observed by "Low" Church, or dissenting, denominations (such as Presbyterians and Congregationalists). Below are a few accounts of Christmas in Colonial America:

• Virginia's governor, John Smith, held one of the earliest Christmas celebrations in America. He spoke of feasting on "oysters, fish, flesh, wild fowl, and good bread."


• William Bradford, governor of Plymouth, noted that on December 25, 1620 they worked on building a common house but made no mention of Christmas, and reported that an attempted 1622 Christmas celebration was stopped by the government officials.


• Puritans in Massachusetts passed an anti-Christmas law in 1659, enforcing a fine of five shillings against any person observing Christmas. (This law was repealed in 1681.)

By the mid 1800s, Americans had come to embrace the Christmas holiday as demonstrated by a June 1870 Congressional Act that made Christmas a federal holiday.

As we celebrate Christmas, let's remember the true reason for this special season. President George H.W. Bush reminded Americans:

At Christmas, we celebrate the promise of salvation that God gave to mankind almost 2,000 years ago. The birth of Christ changed the course of history, and His life changed the soul of man.

WallBuilders' large collection of original documents, books, and historical pieces includes many Christmas treasures. For example, you can find several historic Christmas sermons, Presidential Christmas cards and ornaments, and an Apollo 8 Christmas message. Enjoy these resources as part of your Christmas celebrations!

From all of us at WallBuilders, Merry Christmas!