Toward the Origins of ChristmasChristmas exerts an enormous attraction today even apart from its Christian character as a celebration of the incarnation of God in the Person of Jesus. Even marginal or indifferent Christians crowd the churches on Christmas Eve and in highly commercialized and technologized Western societies the Christmas season is celebrated with enthousiasm. Yet Christmas entered the calendar of feasts relatively late, by 336 C.E., and the reason for its introduction and quick spread remain speculative and based on fragmentary evidence. Towards the Origins of Christmas addresses both the contemporary Western celebration of Christmas, and its deep historical roots in the church of the fourth century. The book presents a thorough investigation of the patristic texts and evidence cited by liturgical scholars in the late 19th and 20th centuries to support two main theories: the Calculation theory and the History of Religions theory. This historical research is set in the framework of the contemporary experience of Christmas; the dynamics of time and the liturgical year; the inculturation of liturgy; and underlying elements of dualism and patriarchal power paradigms which linger beneath the often commercial and sentimental character of Christmas today. Suzan K. Roll was born in Clarence Center, New York (USA) in 1952. She holds degrees in classical languages and pastoral theology, and in 1993 received a Ph. D. from the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Louvain (Leuven), Belgium, summa cum laude with the gratulations of the jury. She has thaught and published in the field of liturgy, sacraments, pastoral theology, and presently teaches at Christ the King Seminary, Buffalo, New York (USA). |
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Contents
| 78 | |
THE INVINCIBLE SUN AND THE FEAST OF CHRISTS BIRTH | 107 |
The History of Religions hypothesis | 127 |
THE SPREAD OF CHRISTMAS IN VIEW OF | 165 |
13 | 173 |
24 | 179 |
46 | 185 |
The nativity feast in a broader perspective | 211 |
CHRISTMAS IN A CONTEMPORARY | 225 |
Applying the insights | 251 |
General conclusions | 269 |
Bibliography | 275 |
Register of historical persons | 295 |
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Common terms and phrases
25 December according already ancient appears argument Arian Augustine authority beginning birth birth of Christ Botte calculations calendar celebration century Chapter Christ Christian church cited concept concerning Constantine contemporary context cosmic cult culture cycle death divine doctrinal early edition elements Epiphany eschatology established evidence example experience fact faith feast festal festival further History of Religions human hypothesis incarnation indicates influence Invicti issues January John later light liturgical living March meaning mentioned month mystery nature Noël non-Christian origins of Christmas parallel Paris particular Paschal period position practice present question reference relatively religious represents Roman Rome scholars season sermon shift significance solar sources specific structure suggests symbolic TALLEY themes theological theory thought tion University Usener Weihnachtsfest winter solstice worship
Popular passages
Page 10 - Man's curiosity searches past and future And clings to that dimension. But to apprehend The point of intersection of the timeless With time, is an occupation for the saint — No occupation either, but something given And taken, in a lifetime's death in love, Ardour,
Page 10 - selflessness and self-surrender. These are only hints and guesses, Hints followed by guesses; and the rest Is prayer, observance, discipline, thought and action. The hint half guessed, the gift half understood is Incarnation.
Page 208 - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Page 17 - as a periodically recurrent, social occasion in which, through a multiplicity of forms and a series of coordinated events, participate directly or indirectly and to various degrees, all members of a whole community, united by ethnic, linguistic religious, historical bonds, and sharing a worldview.
Page 206 - a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification;
Page 2 - Marie Speelman, The Generation of Meaning in Liturgical Songs. A Semiotic Analysis of Five Liturgical Songs as Syncretic Discourses, Kampen, 1995 5. Susan K. Roll, Toward the Origins of Christmas, Kampen, 1995
Page 47 - so that these are in some way made present for all time; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace.
Page 15 - If nobody asks me, I know; but if I want to explain it to someone who asks, I don't know...
Page 2 - François Kabasele (Kinshasa), Jan Luth (Groningen), Susan Roll (New York) Honorary editor: Gerard Lukken (Tilburg) Liturgisch Instituut PO Box 9130 5000 HC Tilburg The Netherlands
Page 40 - societal relationships and an opportunity for communal prayer and worship, for relaxed contemplation and enjoyment of God's creation, and for the cultivation of the arts which help fill the human longing for wholeness.
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | Toward the Origins of Christmas Volume 5 of Liturgia Condenda Series, ISSN 1381-2041 |
| Author | Susan K. Roll |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | Peeters Publishers, 1995 |
| ISBN | 9039005311, 9789039005316 |
| Length | 296 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |