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Who was the real Santa Claus?

...known in America as the kind and generous "Santa Claus." “Lord, giver of good gifts, make us generous to others, especially to the needy.”  The book of the Saints, Hoagland, V, Regina Press, pp. 288-290 From the excerpt above, it becomes clear how Nicholas became associated with gift-giving and charity, and the miraculous events that were part of his life could explain how “Old Saint Nick” came to be seen as a magical figure too. So how did a fourth-century Bishop from Turkey end up as a jolly old man with a beard and a red suit? You can thank the sailors who took him on as their patron saint for that. As they travelled the world, stories of St. N...

From Paradise to Presents: The Christian Story Behind the Christmas Tree

...and North America. One pivotal moment in its wider adoption was the depiction of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert around a decorated Christmas tree in an illustration published in the Illustrated London News in 1848. This royal endorsement sparked a surge in the tradition’s popularity, particularly in Britain, where it came to symbolise the domestic warmth and joy of the holiday season. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, and the British royal family gathered around the Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, from the Illustrated London News, 1848. Source: Britannica St. Boniface and the Sacred Oak One of the most compelling narratives about the Christmas tree’...

A Historic Easter Change Is Coming — But Will Protestants Get On Board?

...nd West | America Magazine Archbishop Justin Welby hopes for fixed Easter date — BBC News Justin Welby: Archbishop of Canterbury quits over abuse scandal — BBC News Creedal Christians: The Nicene Creed | The Sacred Faith: Timeless Truths for Modern Minds Council of Nicea, AD 325 | Patristics.info — Full texts and Resources from Early Church History Quartodecimans | Encyclopedia.com  ...

Does Easter Have Pagan Origins?

...ported to America between the 15th and 17th centuries and then became widely commercialised later on. Easter Eggs or painted eggs are a Middle Ages tradition which is borne out of the Lenten fast. Since people were fasting, eggs weren't being eaten and were stored up until Easter Sunday. During this time, people began to decorate them to give to children. They were often painted red to symbolise the blood of Jesus, and the shell used to represent the empty tomb of the resurrection. Chocolate eggs only came along in the 1700s, based on this tradition. Christians have been celebrating Pascha since the first century, primarily remembered via the Eucharist...

Google, Jesus and Artificial Intelligence

...You may have seen the videos and articles being shared around social media lately about Google's new voice-activated digital assistant, Google Home, not knowing who Jesus is. Shock, horror — right? No. It's just more faux outrage and fuel for America's persecution complex. I mean, so what? Google isn't a Christian run company, they have no obligation to Christ or the Church. Why are we letting something like this bother us so much? It's just another thing in the ever growing list of things-to-be-mad-about-that-don't-really-matter on social media. Where is our faith rooted? What is the foundation and rock upon which we stand? Is it in how well a 'smart speak...

When did Christians become so whiny?

...The Church is so whiny at times. At least in the West it seems, from the various news outlets which like to showcase the "worst" (and actual worst) of the bunch. Sometimes I read articles and wonder why do certain Christians care so much about this!? It's usually a non-issue really, often under the guise of "principles" or "persecution." Now I realise that some of the articles I linked to above could also relate to serious issues that we, as Christians, should face and discuss. But even from a quick search on Huffington Post and the BBC News for "Christian", the majority of articles (as of writing) from America relate to homosexuality in some form, and for...