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ANOTHER ROMAN HOLIDAY bi44 oor
eA Ave 4
THE NEW YZARS CELEBRATION IN ANCIENT ROME WAS TRADITIONALLY OF THE

MOST ELABORATE AND WILDEST SPECTACLES THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. SEVEN DAYS
BEPORE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YSAR THE ROMAN'S Say A WESK OF FROLICING:

DRINKING AND DANCING, CLESRATION THAT GRADUALLY INCREASED IN VELOCITY TO THE Ane Me
Drove buisness yracts, i te*

pet a $ vo
WORST SORT OF ORGISTIC DEBACHERY. even Your JOINED INJEVERYONE WENT TO THE

ARENA AND SHOUTED FOR GLEE AS WARRI ERS MURDERED EACH @THER, OR AS LIONS TORE APART

We, Wow Loom - Ux the wl Aarkety _ Wak
ae QUIET at CY ied

CRIMINALS. NO MATTER HOW BXXKT AND CONSERVATLON A PEHSON MIGHT BE--DURING THAT
WEEK HE LET HIS HAIR DOWN AND JOINED THE FUN.

Q ah nee WAS ONE GROUP, HOWEVER, THAT WANTED NO PAR! i THIS FAGAN HOLOCAST
‘\e User & lpcav gi & ok wy Rar. hea Free of Curt
AND THAT WAS THE CHRISTIANS. THE ROMAN'S DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING. AGAINSTIHIS

©@ ll,

NEW RELIGION) ONE MORE GOD WOULDN'T MATTER, BUT WHAT FPURTATED THE WAS rat® R

ise
Cun'st S
THE CHRISTIANS WOULDN'T ACCEPT THELR G'S TOO, TR WOULDN'T ADMIT THAT

woes
THELR GOD WAS JUST ONE OUT OF MANY, ALL THE ROMAN'S ASKED JUST A
aaree Clusia? sett ow

SMALL COMPROMISE. THIS WAS ALL BROUGHT TO A HEAD DURING THE NEW YEAR

CELEBRATION, THE CHRISTCANS WOULDN'T PLAY. THEY WOULDN'T JOIN THE WILD THRUNGS

! huh Uae Re csearte ch
IN THEIR ORGY. THEY WERE ANTI SOCIAL STUCK UP,

j Nor vk. .

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR FIRST as ieee CHRIS TIANS TO

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO JOIN THE FUN. MOoGmempnoEEMERY MANY A CHRISTIAN SBT
‘a

3

5 SERONY of all Dries orw- lq Fe Cawbe

20

SNEAKED OUT FOR AWHILE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, api INDULGE A LITTLE BIT.

See la

\ite

TO COUNTERACT THIS OCCASION OF WIIDNESS ABOUT THEM, TO ELIMINATE THE

THiPTATION TO JOIN THE FUN, THE CHRISTIANS DECIDED TO

LONG FESTIVAL.

HAVE THEIR OWN WEEK

THEY VECIDED TO CELEB ATE THE GREATSSI EVENT THEY COULD

—_————

THINK OF, THES BIRTH OF THEIR LOND.
ee Sa.

NO PARTICULAR CELEBRATION OF JESUS' BIRTH. IT WAST

IN MARCH OR APRIL, BUT NOW FOR EXPEDIENCY THEY PIACED
eet

4 hes diy -
UND L FHtt-eho-OF- Pte SS T-GEVTURY, THERE WAS

UGHT THAT HE WAS BORN

25, THE SAME DAY THAT THE ROMAN CELEBRATION BEGAN, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE N

YEAR. THEY WOULD SPEND A WEEK OF REJOICING IN THEIR

SNEAKING OFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROMAN CELEBRATION

aot roe Osun e 4
vw Rs i" 4 Yvcer*

OWN ATTRAC TLOVM\CHRISTMAS .

HOLIDAY AT THE END OF THE YEAR CAME ABOUT TO AVOID BE

DWN WAY, INSTEAD OF

THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR
he} an cher 4 bor

LESS) ws is

‘wos — THE PIRST_CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTMAS AS A

ING CAUGHT UP IN THE

CHLESRATION OF A QULTURE THAT WASN'T CHRISTIAN, A PAG

KN CULTURE.

Ya Papa feshivel

NINETEHY HUNDRED YEARS IATER Wi ARE RIGHT BACK WHENE Wi STARTED FROM. THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR SITUATION AND THAT OF A FIRST

PENTURY ROMAN CHRISTIAN IS

SLIGHT. WE LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT HAS USURPED THE NAIK CHRISTMAS, HAS EXPLOITED

IT, TWISTED ITS MEANING COMPLETELY.

WE ARE FACED WITH THE SAME GRAVES ENCOUNTER

ess

Be

AS FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANS--A GIGANTIC PAGAN ORGY, BEAUTIFUL AND LAVISH, VERY

THI PTING TO of param NOTHING WATSOEVER TD DO Wi

CHRIST. WE ARE FACED WITH ANOTHER ROMAN HOLIDAY!

[TH THE BIRTH OF JESUS

/

LET US FOR A MINUTE PRETEND THAT WE @RE are FROM ANOTHR PLANET

VISITING THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF DECEMBER, THI

OF THE BIRTH OF A SAVIOR IS TO TAKE PLACE, A VERY HOL!]

| TIME WHEN THE CELEBRATION

f PERIOD. A FEW FACTS

QUICKLY MEET OUR EYE, FACTS THAT ARE SOMEWHAT ie in THE GREATEST

COMMERCIAL TRADING OF THE YSAR IS TAKING PIACE, PROFIT!

DETECT THT PEOPLE ARE PREPARING F(R PARTIES, MRE ALC

CONSUMED THERS DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR PUT TOGH'H]

'S ARE ZOOMING, WE
}OHOL IS BOUGHT AND

fe. WE BEAR THAT

BETWEEN DEC. 23 AND JAN. 1 MORE PHOPIE ARE ANRESTED FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING THAN

DURING THE OTHER ELEVEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR. WE SEE Li

WREATHS, BOrTLES, IT LOOKS LIKE A WONDERFUL TIME. BU]

—_—

THIS BIRTH WE ARE CELESRATING. WELL, ITS OBVIOUS, IT
IT'S LOST IN THE RUSH.
Chests
YOUR HAIR DOW, IT'S THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR LORD AND SAV

OF GOD--HAVE A DHL NK!

IGHT'S, DECORATION, TOYS,
. WHAT AHOUT THE SAVIOR
—

MUST NOT BE TOO IMPORTANT

[eh ei

WE ARE APPROACHED LY A MAN, Hig SAYS, [COME ON—LET

GR JESUS CHRIST, THE SON

4.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO PUSHIT ANY FURTHER, YOU KNOW WMT I'M TALKING

ABOUT. YOU'RE AWARE OF THE CRASS COMEBRCIALISM THAT

IMPORTANT PART OF CHRISTMAS. I DO HOVEVR WANT TO Ri

IT IS A SUBJHCT THATIS A LITLE UNCOMM RTALLE TO DIS
—<<__.

TALKS ABUTIT DO LOUDLY 15 USA LLY FROWNED UPON.

HAS BECOME SO

Quah

TSE ONE MORE QUESTION. ‘7s

Wee ly
CUSS, AND ANYONE THAT

3} WILL TAKE THAT CHANCE.

MY QUESTLON 1S WHAT DOES THIS BRIGHTLY DRESSED, WHLTS BEARDED FELLOW HAVE

TO DO WITH CHRISTMAS. I DREAD THE TIME WHEN I WILL 5

IAVE TO FACE THIS PROBLIM

DIRECTLY WHEN MY DAUGHTR IS A FEW YUARS OLDER. I DON'T KNOW “OW I'LL HANDLE

IT, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE ONLY ROLE THIS MYTH CAN PRAY IN CHRISTMAS IS ONE

Sa ae

THAT WILL DETRACT FROM THE HOLINESS OF THE EVENT.

C

AT HEART THE IDMA ISN'T A BAD ONE, A KINDLY OLD

QU? OF THS GOODNESS OF HIS HEART. BUT HE HAS BEQOME

_ E labes atc

BECOME THE MEANS FOR BRIBIRY, FOR @OD BEHAVIOR. HE

WHAT I SHALL CALL A "GET-RIENTED" CHRISTMAS. BECAUS

TIME WHEY OUR CHILDREN GET, BECAUSE OF HIM THE SERAUTY

clo

fe

Rarsetne ow “Sundae

MN THAT GIVES PRESENTS

HE HA
: as cele
¢
HAS BECOME THE FOCUS OF aa ww el i

byt THAT:

EOF HIM CHRISTMAS IS A

| OF GIVING HAS BEEN LOST.

——

PERHAPS WE OUGHT TO CHANGE DATES (GAIN,

FOR THE PAGAN FSSTIVAL, PERHAPS »% SHOULD CALL DEC. 2

OUR CEYEBRATION IS NO COMPETITION

——--

5 YULE TIME OR SANTA CLAUS

be
DAY AND CHLESRATS THE BIRHIOF THE CHRIST IN FSBRUARY.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS THE SLIGHTEST POSSIBILITY FOR THIS EVR 1 HAPPEN.

NOR DO I THINK THE CULT OF SAN TA CLAUS WILL OL MINI Q WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE

THE BEST OF THS SITUATION, TO EMPHASLZE THAT ART OF THE CELEBRATION THATIS —

“Ys eqwaek Nkowr {un Yes hove s

SYMBOLIC OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

WE CAN START BY TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO BE "GIV§ ORIENTED" INSTEAD

OF "GET ORIENTED". WE CAN BEGIN BY EMPHASIZING THAT QHRISTMAS IS A TIME

WHEN WE GIVE PRESENTS. AND WHY DO WE DO THIS? BECAUSE MANY YSARS AGO GOD

GAVE US TH® MOST WONDERFUL GIF" IMAGINABLE, A TINY BABY, A BABY THAT WAS
HIS SON, AND WHO WOULD GROW UP TO OUR FRIEND AND SAVIQR. WE GIVE PRESENTS BECAUSE

THE LOVE THAT GOD SHOWED TO US IN THE BIRTH OF THAT Bab

OTH. GIFTS ARE JUST OUR WAY OF SHWING TMT LOVE.

Qs & “
v UP UNTIL NOW I HAVE TAKEN A PRETTY NEGATIVE VIGVJOF OUR CHRIS TMAS

CELE RATION. BUT ALL IS NOT LOST. THERE IS ONE PROMINENT PART OF CHHISTMAS

THAT IS A REMNANT OF CHRISTIANITY IN DISGUISE, IT IS JHE PHENOMENON WE CALL

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
te

6.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS HARD TO DEFINE AND TO DESCRIES, BUT WHO CAN DENY

ITS PRESEVCE IN THE CIRCLE OF FACES SINGING SILEIT NIGHT, OR IN THE BEAUTY

OF A FAMILY TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN ON CHRISTMAS DAY. CHRISTMAS EVE IS THE

ONE TIME OF THE Y°AR THAT MAN'S POTENTIAL TO BE A LOVENG CR&ATURE BREAKS

THROUGH. THE WORD BROTHERHOOD SEEMS TO HAVE REAL MEA

NING ON CHRISTMAS EVE,

THERS IS A WARMTH OF HUMANESS AND GOODNESS THAT PERVADES THe ATMOSPHERE,

THe LOVE TH\T HAS BEEN HIDDEN INSIDE OF US FOR SO LONG REACHES THE OVER FLOWING

POINT, AND IT POURS FORTH. - Nay xs Ohalucr spice

AndL WJ

In THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WE CAN PARI

TIALLY KNOW THE LOVE AND

GOODNESS OF GOD. IN THE AFFECTLON WE FEEL FOR EACH OTHER WE CAN FEEL IN PART

THE LOVE THAT PROMPTED GOD TO GIVE THE CHIRST: THE ET

PRNAL CONCERN THAT

—

[VING, OF HIMSELF THAT

PROMPTED HIM TO APPROLCH MAN IN THE SELFLESS ACTOFG
on os
WE MIGHT HAVE A SAVIOR.

SELFLESSNESS IS THE BASIS OF TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIN
_—————

ET. ITIS THE WARMTH THAT

OCCURS WHEN FOR THE MOMENT WE FORGET OURSELVES AND ARE OVEIRJOYED AT BEING

faci
WITH PEOPLE WE LOVE: IT IS THE MAGNIFICENT poe WE

EXPERIENCE WHEN WE HAVE

GIVEN A GIFT—-NOT BECAUSE WE WERE OBLIGATED WT BECAUBE WE LOVE THE PERSON TO

Ss

WHOM IT WAS GIVEN.

-_

&@

THIS IS ALL PAXT OF OUR CHRISTMAS AND IT WAS PAR

ITIS A FRAGIENT OF LOVE, THES LOVE THAT GOD HAS SHOWN [1D US.
THIS APPEARANCE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE IS ALSO A BIT. SAD, AT CHHISTMAS WE

BRIEFLY EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF LOVE, WE BRIS FLY EXPORIMNCE WAT QOUID BE YEAR

AROUND. WE PROVE WE ARS CAPABLE OF IT AT CHRISTMAS WH
Win gineoe huh \orrn &

LIKE CHRISMAS? «=p OU Wy Sow OP

Sos eo \p-e Nuore. CaN

WE CAN LOOK TO CHRISTMAS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAY

BEHAVE. CHKISTAS IS THE MANIFESTATION OF BROTHERHOW

%, ine

AIWAYS—-ELABORATE Hers. “SRV ar

Ld

Y CAN'T EVERY DAY BE
Cuvgur~ Gre

pr cany S
GOD INTENDED MEN TO

THAT IS A POSSIBIL'TY

| Ricks ree ok

Gef , Wack ke oil gr

RECNETLY CHRISTIANS HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THE PREUJ

CHRISTMAS. THE PHRASE "PUT CHRIST BACh INTO CHRISTMAS

~ me 2
TCAMANT THEY FACED AT

" SUDDENLY BiERGHD AND

BECAME VARY BOPULAR. THERE WERL EVEN CAMAPGINS ® ELI

OF "CHRISTMAS" WITH AN X IN ORDER 10 REEMPHASIZS CHRIS
pita Ean

WHAT WOULD BE A BH TIER PROJECT WOULD BE TO EMPHAS

IMINATE THE SPELLING

iT.

IZ THAT THERE IS

OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

spark =

SIMPLY NO ROOM TO SQUEEZE CHRIST IN DF WE LEAVE THE PAGAN CELESRATION As IT IS.

WHAT WE MUST DO IS REORIENT THE ENTTRE CELEBRATION, SARTING WI Ti THE BIRTH

OF THE CHRIST.

IOV! THE as HICH AS ANYONE, I ah, HOW:VER, URGING rar wis PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST ~ +
KOT QUEST A BIT OF RS. TGIOUS SRETILENT THAT abo3 Tu Hs Hua DAY HPS BIRTH IS CHRLSTAS.

Lip US NOT Gal CAUTNT UP I. ACTORS Bo An Hu: IUAY,