What Have We Given Up?

I was thirsty this morning either for a history lesson or a good long dictionary entry. The Catholic Encyclopedia, that most helpful resource for those interested in theology and church history, provided me with both. Here is an excerpt.

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch it is Kerst-misse, in Latin Dies Natalis, whence comes the French Noël, and Italian Il natale; in German Weihnachtsfest, from the preceeding sacred vigil. The term Yule is of disputed origin. It is unconnected with any word meaning "wheel". The name in Anglo-Saxon was geol, feast: geola, the name of a month (cf. Icelandic iol a feast in December).

The history of Christmas itself is a long and fascinating tale. It originated in Egypt, of all places. People with names like "Silvia of Bordeaux" and "Chrysostom" wrote about it. Saints and church fathers argued endlessly about whether or not Christ was born on that day specifically. King Cnut, in the twelfth century, had to set up fasting laws for Christmas, just to slow down the merrymaking riots. There are three masses traditionally given on Christmas Day, "at midnight, dawn, and in die." Gloria was sung only at the first mass. And so on...

I have been pondering all semester the concept of "Christian realism" and the ways in which postmodern (chronologically, not philosophically) Christians seem to ape the secular culture rather than establishing--or rediscovering--their own. There are pages of peoples and ages associated with this feast of Christmas. This is a very rich heritage!

I appeal to history: let it illuminate for us the Christian tradition. Let it induce us to wonder what we have given up, and whether anything has been gained by the sacrifice.