INFORMATION

It is said that the practice of hanging lights on our houses actually comes from the ancient Christian tradition of placing lit candles in the windows on Christmas Eve. When Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem, all the lights were out. An ancient symbol of hospitality was a lit candle in the window. If there was no candle, there was “no room in the inn.” To show that their lives and homes were open for the new Christ Child, ancient Christians took to putting candles in their windows on Christmas Eve.

(Erie, Pa.) The celebration of Festivus is alive and well in northwestern Pennsylvania…

…Many people learned of Festivus through “Seinfeld,” but its roots actually go back several decades, when writer Daniel O’Keefe’s father started it. He was looking for something more from the holidays, something that wasn’t political or religious.

…Instead of a tree, Festivus followers celebrate around a metal pole. Boam’s Festivus pole is 6 feet tall and rooted in bucket of cement.

“No tinsel, no ornaments. Nothing should go on it. It should be bare,” Boam said.

Guests also grab the pole and fume about how others have disappointed them in the past year.

…Finally, the festival features feats of strength.

Pa. Community Celebrates Festivus
December 23, 2005. Associated Press – Oddly Enough

Comment: What a sad substitute for Christmas. It just goes to show how man can not come up with something better to celebrate than the love and goodness of God. Man would focus on a life without religion, a life of 'fuming about disappointments,' and a life of demonstrating their strength. Where God would have us look at how he set aside his strength and power to become a little child, so that he could bring us forgiveness for all the times that we've disappointed him. He establishes peace with us, so that we maintain peace with each other. You tell me which is the better celebration.

[O]ne of the early church fathers, Clement of Alexandria speculated that Christ was born on… November 17, 3 BC!

November 17, 3 B.C. – Clement’s Date for Christ’s Birth
Christian History Institute – What Happened this Day in Church History

Employees at North Austin Lutheran Church on the city’s West Side found themselves celebrating a Christmas season birth besides Jesus’ on Wednesday morning when a baby carrier containing twin newborns was discovered inside the church’s vestibule.

The healthy babies--a 6-pound, 6-ounce boy and a 5-pound girl who doctors say are no more than 2 days old--were still attached to their umbilical cords.

The staff at Oak Park’s West Suburban Medical Center, where the infants were taken, named them Baby Joseph and Baby Mary.

…Under the law, parents can leave their unharmed baby, 3 days old or younger, at a hospital, emergency medical facility, staffed fire station or police station in Illinois and walk away with no questions asked, Jackson said. But because Joseph and Mary were not left at one of the designated locations, the law does not apply, she said.

Wischnowsky, Dave. Church finds twin miracle in vestibule
December 22, 2005. Chicago Tribune

Comment - Mary and Joseph, unwanted? Well they found a place where they are wanted and cared for. They weren't wanted in Bethlehem either. So Jesus was born in a stable. Little did the residents of Bethlehem know, born to them was the most 'wanted' baby of all time. All those who knew they needed a Savior were waiting for this baby to be born. His birth makes every child's life important; he would pay divine blood to redeem them.

QUOTE

Happiness is a baby without sin, a Son sent to fulfill God’s promises, a miracle birth that signals our salvation. Although you mourn death, Christmas is about life. Although you hurt deeply, Christmas is about healing. Although you have nothing much of earthly value, Christmas is about being rich.

Baumler, Gary. Happy Christmas, p. 34
December 2004. Forward in Christ, Vol. 91, No. 12