Pastor Darrell W. Cummings
Christmas is an event that has emerged in bits and pieces from out of the mists of antiquity. The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas time dates back to a practice in vogue in pagan Rome. Each year, on December 17 and 18, ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture.
At this time, Romans exchanged gifts of sweet pastry, lamps, precious stones, and gold and silver. The early Christians, however, shunned Christmas giving, for the very reason that it was popular among what they called the “pagan Romans.”
It was centuries before they accepted the custom. I mean, let’s just admit it, who doesn’t love getting gifts? Getting gifts on your birthday is wonderful.How great is it to get gifts on someone else’s birthday, too! When they did accept it, the custom was tied to a feast celebrated by the church. Christmas was considered to be the greatest feast of them all, and Christmas time became the reas