Where Did Christmas Come From, Anyway?

Do you ever feel like advertisers and commercialism have taken over Christmas? Does it seem like it’s gotten worse in the last 15 to 20 years? Well, if you answered yes, you might be as surprised as I was to hear that Christmas, as we celebrate it today, was almost single-handedly created by commercialism.

As recently as 150 years ago, Christmas wasn’t the most important holiday in our culture. That was Easter. The focus began to shift once department stores got involved. They, not the church, put together huge Christmas pageants with music and choirs. It drew people to their stores.

What about the idea for the Christmas tree? Where did that come from? How about the giving of gifts? Old Saint Nick (yes, there really was a Saint Nicholas)? Stockings by the chimney?

It makes you wonder: How did Christmas become Christmas anyway?

On our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Teaching Kids About Christmas,” we’re talking with Phil Vischer, best known for creating the popular video series, VeggieTales.

He’ll share the historical origins of Christmas as we know it today. What he says is especially relevant for parents. It can be confusing for kids to hear mom and dad and the church talk about Jesus’ birth at Christmas, then turn on the television and see Santa on every channel. Phil Vischer will help you find the richness in your family’s Christmas traditions.

Tune in on your local radio station, online, or on our free phone app and find Phil’s DVD Buck Denver Asks Why Do We Call it Christmas in our online bookstore.