Tradition Stands The Test Of Time
Newcastle Herald
Friday December 19, 2008
OF all the celebrations on the Christian church calendar, Christmas is the most widely observed.
Its popularity has remained strong down through the years. Early motivation to mark the date was religious fervour, and Christmas Day church services continue to draw capacity crowds. The time when Christmas was a working day has long been forgotten. In fact, the commercial promotion of a community holiday has worked in favour of church gatherings. Circumstance and availability in combination result in motivation. The Christmas story is one that transcends the cruder aspects of commercial observation. There is something about human nature that draws everyone to a story about the birth of a baby. There is warmth and satisfaction to be drawn from the simplicity of the story and the promise that it holds. In most Western church traditions the actual Christmas season begins at sunset on Christmas Eve, December 24, and lasts through to January 5. That period of time is known as the 12 days of Christmas. Because there were different calendars in use in the various eras and locations of the Christian faith, some cultures and church traditions celebrate Christmas on January 6. In the older Julian calendar which is still used as the religious calendar in eastern churches, January 6 corresponds to December 24 on the modern calendar. While the date may vary along with the traditions, Christmas Day never fails to draw people together for church and family gatherings. It's a time for celebration, reflection, and anticipation of the year ahead.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald