NBA Coach Laments: ‘Christian Holidays Don’t Mean Anything…Anymore’
- Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:37pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is arguably one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He’s also, apparently, one of league’s most ardent defenders of Christmas.
In an interview with ESPNLosAngeles.com, Jackson had some sharp criticism for the NBA and its increasing practice of scheduling games on the sacred holiday.
“It‘s like Christian holidays don’t mean anything to them anymore,” said Jackson, the son of a minister. “We just go out and play and entertain the TV. It’s really weird.”
Jackson’s team will be playing in one of five games scheduled for Christmas day. That, he said, is just ridiculous.
“I don’t think anybody should play on Christmas Day,” Jackson said. “Soccer teams don’t play this time of year, they take a break. I don’t understand it.”
“When I was in the CBA [Continental Basketball Association], we had a commissioner who had a Christmas Eve game. I had to call him up and say that’s the holy time. … You just have to keep reminding them that this is a special day.”
While many of Jackson’s concerns are philosophical, he also said the Christmas games pose a practical problem: preparation.
“I don’t know if you can adequately even prepare for these games,” Jackson said. “You don’t have a walk-through on the day of the game. It’s just a difficult game. … Your little kids are putting batteries in toys to put their Christmas presents together, there‘s all kinds of crazy stuff going on and now your head’s got to get focused on a game in the middle of the afternoon on Christmas Day? That game is just real hard to measure how to bring focus to it.”
Jackson said he will be bringing his concerns to NBA Commissioner David Stern.
The Lakers play the Miami Heat at 2 p.m. ET on Christmas day.
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Comments (156)
SND97
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:31pmGod bless you Coach Jackson. I pray someday this country starts going back to the tradition of Christmas and what it truly is about. The birth of our Lord, and the gift we all recieved. Thanks Coach
Report Post »crazytalk
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:28pmI question the concern, coming from a buddhist.
http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jun/22/news/mn-43775
Report Post »mommom
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:35pmRead his book “Spiritual Hoops.” This book was required reading when I went back to college (a Catholic college). It is a good read.
Report Post »whywonder
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:26pmthat was fun
Report Post »rockinrobin
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:24pmDoes anyone remember when the only store open on Christmas day was 7-Eleven? I am just amazed at all the stores, restaurants ect that are now open. I for one will not be watching any TV that day, instead I will be celebrating the birth of Christ, my Savior, with the rest of my family!! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:54pmYes I can remember. I grew up in Cleveland and the place was a ghost town on Christmas day. Nothing was open. I also remember that you could not buy beer on Sundays.
Report Post »firstlast
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:26pmWell hello there Robin B! You mean you wont be watching FoxNews either???
Report Post »firstlast
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:33pmWell hello there Robin B; no FoxNews on Christmas???? What is this world coming to
borismolly
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:23pmI totally agree with this. People have been asking us this week if our store will be open on Christmas. Really? We have a small hardware store. It is not important for us to be open on Christmas. Plan ahead people and celebrate the holiday. (Never mind a Christian holiday – I remember when drugstores were the only stores open on Sunday and that was for half a day – I am old. Sunday was a day of worship, family dinners, etc.)
Report Post »Kerri g
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:23pmWhen did Christmas become Santa and a gazlion presents for everyone? When did Christmas become a day to ignor your family to sit in front of the TV watching sports? We can’t even say Merry Christmas any more. WHERE IS CHRISTMAS? Know what. I am a Christian, I celebrate Christmas not Happy Holliday. I pray on a regular basis and if I want to pray on the steps of the U.S. capital sorry about your bad luck you tell me that I am not allowd to. All government property belongs to us, the American people. You can not make a law that tells me when, where or to whom to pray. Seems every other religion is ok but not Christianity. MERRY CHRISTAMS EVERY ONE!!!!!!
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:20pmWhat is more important than Sports? Just put your had on backwards and grab another beer sports fans.
Report Post »whywonder
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:20pmnot that there’s anything wrong with that
Report Post »Unbelievable
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:17pmThank you Coach Jackson and Merry Christmas!
Report Post »mcFirst
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:13pmMake sure to bring all your championship trophies when you talk to Stern. Lay them on his desk, and tell him ‘I’d like to make a little request, I think I‘ve earned it’
Report Post »Average_JoeMN
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:10pmIf people would stop watching it on TV and not show up at the game they’d get the message.
Report Post »barbaraw62
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:43pmWonderful…. I mean your comment… so true…so true
Report Post »Blutowasright
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:08pm…. and I thought he won all those championships because he had the best players or was a great coach…. I guess it never hurts to have your priorities in the right place!
Report Post »whywonder
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:04pmChristmas starts in september money is the reason for the season.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:08pmSad but true…
Report Post »YoungAndReckless
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:03pmThank You Phil Jackson!! My fiancee is scheduled to work at Quaker Steak and Lube on Christmas Day. Now keep in mind the only reason she took the waitressing job was to get a little extra money together so she could buy me Christmas presents, which I thought was really sweet of her. However, I told her in no uncertain terms, that Christmas was a day of reflection on our Christian values and our Savior Jesus Christ, and secondly, a very important time to spend with family and loved ones. I have no doubt that she will be fired for refusing to work at a crappy wing shack that MIGHT get 10 customers on Christmas who happen to hate their families so much they have to drink themselves into a stupor to get away from interacting with them. If she’s fired, fine with me, b/c we’re scraping by just fine without the extra money, but we’re never short on love – and thats what matters the most to me. All these restaurants open on Christmas and all these games on TV are just a sad result of what’s happened to a large portion of Americans. Their family structure and relationships are either completely dysfunctional, or completely non-existant. TURN OFF THE TV AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS AND SPEND SOME FACE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. Heck, you might even find out that they’re pretty likeable people!
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:20pmGod bless you.
Report Post »YoungAndReckless
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:21pmThanks Jacque, He’s done that a lot for me lately. God bless you and yours too and have a great Christmas!
Report Post »Proud American in Buffalo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:05pmThe above comments ROCK!!! Good on ya’ mate!!!
Report Post »dawgPound
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:29am“My fiancee is scheduled to work at Quaker Steak and Lube on Christmas Day. Now keep in mind the only reason she took the waitressing job was to get a little extra money together so she could buy me Christmas presents…”
That‘s gotta be the stupidest thing i’ve read in a while. My wife wouldn’t have made it past the application process if the only reason she was taking the job was to “buy me Christmas presents” Grow up and man up.
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:20amDog Poop
Yeah working at Q lube as a waitress is a very demanding position. I bet they have a grueling employee selection process.
Report Post »Bearfoot1
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:01pmPart of the networks billion dollar deal created this, like MPCBOB said, it is all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$
Report Post »breedofthe45
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:01pmAtheits comand you to forget about Jesus, is a comand, not a choice. The question is, WILL YOU OBEY?
Report Post »firstlast
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:35pmLiving in California, you would think I’ve heard that command at some point in my life…nope, I’m pretty sure no one has commanded that I forget about Jesus
Report Post »dawgPound
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:24amNothing says “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY JESUS” quite like a thunderous two-handed slam dunk! GO LAKERS!!
Report Post »dcdavis
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:00pmAmen (can I say that?), Coach Jackson! Christmas Day should be about worshipping and spending time with family. We can do without outside entertainment for one day – not only NBA but movie theaters, etc. It’s not just 10 players and a couple of coaches that are inconvenienced. Think of all the parking lot attendants, ticket takers, concessions people, maintenance people, etc. that also have to be away from their families on Christmas Day for the sole purpose of entertaining the rest of the world on one of the holiest of days.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:10pmi agree DC, and as far as i am concerned all retail stores can close on Sundays,life was much better for us all back then
Report Post »NFYRx
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:59pmGOD BLESS AMERICA, until he’s had enough. I have.
Report Post »randy
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:53pmWell, he and the rest of the team that believe in Christmas, should stay home on Christmas Day so they can be with their families. What are they going to do? Fire the couch and the players? Absolutely not! This is your time to take a stand Phil! two things my father taught…. Never work on Christmas, your birthday and never ever thank anyone for a paycheck because you earned it.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:05pmI bet they would fine the heck out of them.
Report Post »mcpbob
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:49pmIT’S all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:47pmHmmm, NBA commissioner’s name is Stern, hmmm. I wonder why Christmas isn’t sacred to him?
Report Post »WVremembersFLIGHT93
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:15pmWhoa! Gonzo, you may wanna walk that stuff back a bit. You’re diminishing your credibility with the “nose” comment.
Report Post »BelowAverageJoe
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:40pmAren’t you late for your klan rally?
Report Post »Boilervet
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:47pmJerry Sloan is my type of coach but Phil is looking better suddenly.
untameable-kate
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:45pmThank God someone is standing up for the Christian holidays. I always give my employees a four day Christmas break, unless it falls on Wed then I have to make them work Mon – then Tues Wed off which kinda stinks but there isn’t any way around it. Merry Christmas all!
Report Post »TERMLIMITSNOW
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:57pmGot any openings? My boss gave us a half day on friday, whoopdyfreakingdo!
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:03pmMerry Christmas to you Kate !
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:22pmTERMLIMITSNOW
Report Post »Your boss is a cheap azz. Tell him I said to stop being a Scrooge.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:46pmOops! I thought the whole week was off time.
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:02pmLet us leave Ebenezer Scrooge out of this. Scrooge will be judged by GOD. His was the world in which I wish we lived in. Charity should be a choice of the heart and not forced by the government through taxation.
Report Post »Sayya2daupeh
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:44pmPhil is absolutely correct. All these games on Christmas Day are doing nothing to remind us of the beliefs brought about on this special day. Push them to the day after. We can live without the games on Christmas. It should be a day to remember, and to share with family, friends, neighbors, and the community.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:53pmTake a look at the NBA commissioner’s nose and you might be able to figure out why they schedule games on Christmas.
Marcobob69
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:55pmBut the networks need the ratings! RATINGS!! That’s all the network execs think about.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:06pmI won’t be watching …. 24 hrs of A Christmas Story beats a bunch of over-paid Muslims playing with a ball.
Report Post »neversaynever
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:33pmhaha how many muslims do you see playing pro basketball? Your post is a joke.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:49pmIf Christmas is nonsense then why is my kid home from school for two full weeks while everyone else enjoys the time off who don’t believe the real reason for the holiday. Because its great to have time off and they’ll never challenge this since it is a benefit to them. Lincoln was looking for something to bring us altogether after the civil War so since we had Christian values in common he made a national holiday out of it. Darn that republican. He freed the slaves and he gave us a Christmas national holiday.
Report Post »missy8s
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:01pmGonzo said: “Take a look at the NBA commissioner’s nose and you might be able to figure out why they schedule games on Christmas.”
Gonzo that was a purely Anti Semitic statement, whether on not commissioner Stern is Jewish doesn’t justify such a statement of hostility and bigotry.
I normally do not call people out for what they write but this statement of yours is beyond the pale, I am Christian but I do not condone that type of slur.
I believe you owe several people here an apology.
Report Post »Donald J
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:59pmI used to love the Christmas day game when MJ was playing in it, but it was usually the Bulls/Knicks or some other rivals, now its a normal day and means jack squat. Who really cares anymore? I do not need to hear how these million dollar plus players are whining about this, I am a Soldier and I never whine about being deployed over holidays and its part of my job, just like theirs. Only difference is I do not get compensated to defend their freedom to be overpaid.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:42pmThink he speaks ebonics? Union sports, what a joke.
Report Post »Clive
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:23pmyeah, i mean, mountain climbing… thats a “real” sport
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:52pmHe’s just tryin to break through the BS in his own way and in his own world which he operates. He also tried regarding the Arizona law with respect to the boycott and all.
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:42pmBut Mr. Jackson if needed I bet the NBA will happy to reschedule games not to interfere with Ramadan.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:04pmExactly .. don’t dis the Muslims … Christians don’t count.
Cobra Blue
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:06pmThe coach is a dying breed. He speaketh the truth. There is nothing sacred in this country anymore….with the exception of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and the daily call to worship 5x a day…I know but we are almost there. As far as I am concerned, when we get there the call to worship will be a Call to Arms….Amen! Get Prepared…No Compromise. and Merry Christmas.
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:17pmThey better or Dictator B.O. and his racist anti-American commrade, Holder would sue them with our money!
Report Post »JESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:34pmChristmas is truly a bunch of pagan rituals from various countries blended together then officially legalized as “christ”mas by the catholic monsters also known as the mafia of the world. No one should be celebrating this blasphemy of a made up holiday. Why are people celebrating a baby Jesus at birth? You should be celebrating Him every single day because He saved you when He died for you and washed away your sins with His precious blood! Amen.
@leftfighter
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:34pmSon of a preacher, practicer of zen buddhism.
Sad, ain’t it?
Tuesday
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:54pmIs the NBA Commissioner a leftie? No Christian religious holidays are good enough to celebrate in the lefties’ book.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:00pmAgree with you fully; Ramadan and other non christian holidays will be considered safe not to play on, yet let there be one complaint about Chiristmas or such – and the witch hunt plus the torces for the steak and wood will come out with gusto.
Report Post »JESUSISLORD
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:21pmI agree!! everyone else is allowed to celebrate their holiday except Christians; what about those who celebrate hanukkah, ramadan, kwanzaa, cinco de mayo & so on.. Oh thats right, they have rights, Christians don’t!!!! They want to take our rights away so they can have theirs! I pray our Nation becomes great again. Right now I fear for Her. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!! GOD BLESS THE U.S.
Report Post »gibby45
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:43pmActually the NBA does play during Ramadan.. I remember the announcers talking about several players fasting and following Muslim traditions during past broadcasts. Olajuwan comes to mind. I am not saying playing on Christmas is right I am saying the NBA doesn’t care about either holiday.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:03pmWhy don’t they just put on reruns of games?? Fans could choose baseball, basketball, golf, tennis … whatever. Wouldn’t it be just as exciting? People watch reruns of movies all the time.
P.S. I don’t have a TV.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:04pmUntil Christians stand up and refuse to take the discrimination anymore, we will continue to be pushed aside in favor of other groups, such as the terrorist Muslims.
Report Post »diggyorange
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:05pmJESUS-IS-LORD
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:34pm
Christmas is truly a bunch of pagan rituals from various countries blended together then officially legalized as “christ”mas by the catholic monsters also known as the mafia of the world. No one should be celebrating this blasphemy of a made up holiday. Why are people celebrating a baby Jesus at birth? You should be celebrating Him every single day because He saved you when He died for you and washed away your sins with His precious blood! Amen
You have NO idea what you are talking about, put down the crack pipe and step away from the computer.
Report Post »Before you criticize Catholicism you better get your facts straight.
firstlast
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:20pmLast I checked I was still allowed to celebrate Christmas with an overwhelming majority of the rest of the country. Until I visited this media outlet–The Blaze–recently, I had no idea there was a conspiracy to end Christmas! O the humanity!!!!!! Grab your pitchforks mob…
Report Post »WestOfThePecos
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:41pmCoach Jackson is also a winner on the court of life.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:09pmGood for Mr Jackson.. It’s WAY past time for the CHRISTIANS to stand up and YELL.. Many people MUST work on CHRISTMAS because their job requires someone to be on duty.. firemen, police etc.. the rest should CLOSE from mid afternoon CHRISTMAS EVE to CHRISTMAS NIGHT.. I remember when the ONLY thing open during those hours was WHITE CASTLES and a few neighborhood bars.. and the BARS were even closed till noon on Christmas Day.. (my grandfather insisted on a early Christmas dinner..LOL..).. People can watch DVD’s on Christmas Day if they are bored.. they don’t have to watch sports..
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:35pmOh please, cut the crap and stop blaming Obama. This is nothing but Capitalism (which I love by the way). Why is the NBA (no Obama, not followers of Islam) the NBA scheduling games on Christmas? TH
Report Post »Steverino
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:51pmJesus-is-Lord:
My understanding is that early Catholics “lifted” the winter solstice celebration from the pagans, to “bring them into the fold”. Easter was simply the spring equinox. I could carry on, if so desired.
The concept of a Christmas Tree, Tannenbaum, etc, was another lift from the pagans who used an evergreen indoors to remind them that life carries on, though it may feel that everything else is dead in the long cold night of winter..
DiggyOrange: perhaps it would have more enlightening for all of us if you would have elaborated, as opposed to telling JIL to put down the crack pipe.
My 2 cents.
Merry Christmas, all. Christ IS the reason for the season.
Steve
Report Post »Snapperhead
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:32pmChristians have been a target since the time of Christ. God bless this man for voicing his honest and to the establishment “Unpopular” comment. Christians need to speak up and voice defense and support of their religious beliefs. I agree Christmas as been co-oped by those who wish to destroy it all together.
Christmas is about Love, Love is about Giving, Christ’s Resurrection was a gift to us. It allowed us forgiveness from sin and the chance to also resurrect with God The Father.
The Progressive Social Liberal agenda has been attacking religious beliefs successfully for decades. Since Christianity is the largest and the founding religious group of the US, it is attacked as a way to destroy the values of the people so that they can replace it with their Politically correct oppressive tyranny.
Christians are taught, as a core belief, to forgive those that transgress against them. This makes them a bigger target since the transgressor will be given a couple of “free rides” to offend a Christian. If they can get over on the Christian mindset a few times they can attempt to corrupt the environment and influence their change.
We Americans have allowed Political correctness and racial / sexual and whatever guilt to infest the mindset of the public. White guilt helped elect a marxist into office. Religious and Racial guilt allows us to ignore the true terrorist profile and now we allow the government to feel up little kids and feel your jewels at the Airport.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:47amOkay, please, stop and drop the anti-Obama nonsence. This is Capitalism (which I love by the way). Why is the NBA – not Obama, not Muslims – why is the NBA scheduling games on Christmas? Same reason the NFL schedules football games on Thanksgiving: ratings and profit from advertisers. It’s that simple.
Report Post »Come on guys, the comments I read on this are absurd in the extreme. This is the profit motive, Capitalism in action, not a secret plot to destroy Christmas. A lot of Americans would love to watch basketball games on Christmas, plenty enough to rake in advertising dollars for the NBA (and maybe the teams, not sure how that works). So, in the interest of profit it’s being done.
Blame the NBA or blame Americans who want to watch sports on TV, or blame the distraction from the real meaning of Christmas on the Capitalism we all love. But you look kind of silly blaming Obama.
Here is the meaning of Christmas and it’s not packed basketball stadiums and million dollar a minute commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA
@leftfighter
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:34am@ diggyorange
Actually, the Catholics *did* bring a lot of paganism into the church. Here are several examples that come to mind:
Then: Pontificus Maximus = Ancient Roman High Priest of the Zeus cult, based in the city of Rome.
Now: Pontiff AKA Pope = High Priest of the Catholic Church, based in Rome.
Then: Vespan Virgins
Now: Nuns
Then: Worship of a pantheon of minor gods for the minutae of everyday life.
Today: Prayer to St. “This” or St. “That” for intervention and protection in the minutae of everyday life.
Noteworthy: Several of the “saints” names were taken directly from pagan gods. Best example I can think of is “Saint” Bridget (”Mary’s midwife” who appears NOWHERE in scripture), which came from the three headed Irish godess of fertility, Brigit. Notice name isn’t even middle eastern.
Then: Ancient Roman religions attempting to stamp out Christianity by murdering as many Christians as they could get their hands on.
Later: Catholic attempts to stamp out other belief systems, see also Gnostic Christians, the Jews during the Inquisition, burning Protestants at the stake during the early years of Protestantism.
Today: Still refuse to officially recognize anything but the Catholic faith as the way into heaven, not only belief, confession, and repentance, as is stated in the Bible.
Then: Pagan holy days Winter Solstice, Feast of Fertility, Day of the Dead.
Now: Christian holidays Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day (to “counter” Halloween)
Note: Research April 6th.
Then: Pagan iconography Yule Logs, Decoration of trees
Now: Hello!
The convenient reinterpretation of our own scripture (specifically regarding the 10 Commandments and graven images) to enrich the Catholic Church also stands out in my mind, by the way. Who made all those statues and golden icons, huh? Did you know that if every piece of wood sold by the Catholic Church that was purported to be a shard of Jesus’ cross was assempled, it would stand several miles tall? Are you aware that St. Peter’s Basilica was financed through the sale of indulgences in the 16th century?
I could think of several more, but I think I’ve made my point. Look it all up. It’s easily available (except possibly for the April 6th thing, if you don’t know HOW to look).
Look, I’m a Christian, but you must admit that the majority of our current traditions have pagan roots. It’s not the fact that you celebrate the holidays, it’s who you worship when you *do* celebrate.
Vinko99
Posted on December 25, 2010 at 12:41pmTO JESUS IS LORD: Funny how you criticize the One Holy Catholic Church….. but, then say “MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas = “Christ’s Mass” <– it is a Holy Day… A Feast Day of our Lord's Birth.
We Catholics have no problem in admitting that certain pagan rituals were "Christened." The Pagans at the time had SOME of the Truth…. Even St. Paul (who came across them several times in his journeys)… spoke highly about their hearts. The Pagans (of THAT DAY) were reaching out to GOD… but, did NOT know the ONE TRUE GOD. Countless pagans converted once knowing "what and who crowned" their faith.
Taking Pagan customs and "Baptizing" them holds no problems. If you are married… and wear a WEDDING RING…. you are participating in a pagan custom/ritual.
We Christians are called to take what exists and bring the light of Christ into it! This is what we "Catholic Monsters" did.
I am sure you carry around your Bible… and read it daily… good for you! But, you may want to thank the Catholic Church…. who set the canon… and preserved our holy book!
God bless!
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