Christmas, Christianity, Controversy & Commercialization | S5Bonus Christmas

Why Dec. 25? Why so much Christmas conflict & controversy in Christianity's history? Why is Christmas so important to Christianity? And to America?

In this episode, I ask my guest, Dr. Carey Roberts, the following questions:

►Why is Christmas such a grand celebration? What does this tell us about Christianity?

►Did it take a while for Christmas to take a central role in Christianity

►What's the difference between recognition and celebration of Christmas

►Did Christmas piggyback on existing Roman pagan traditions?

►How did Christmas enter America's culture? If not the Puritans, then which immigrant group introduced Christmas to America?

►Were there any regional differences in the celebration of Christmas?

►When did U.S. businesses begin to capitalize on Christmas?

►Would President Grant have witnessed a similar Christmas celebration in Boston and Savannah?

►Would George Washington recognize our Christmas? How about Andrew Jackson? Abraham Lincoln? Teddy Roosevelt?

►What happened to Christmas after WWII?

►Is it a bad thing that non-Christians and/or non-practicing Christians celebrate Christmas?

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🚩About My Guest:

Dr. Roberts is a Professor of History⁠ and Online Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Liberty University. His research interests include early American intellectual and economic history. He has lectured and published widely in the fields of the American Founding, monetary and banking history, American intellectual life, and Southern literature. He has been a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Here is his ⁠academic homepage⁠. This is a replay of my 2023 interview with him.

Also, ⁠watch my interview with Dr. David Silverman⁠ about the real history of Thanksgiving.

I hope you enjoy these interviews about the history behind our news.

Adel Aali, host & producer

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