The War On Christmas by Bodie Hodge

The War on Christmas is a compilation of writings, beautiful pictures and illustrations. There are 23 chapters. Subjects range from The Nativity to Saint Nicholas.

Numerous books speak of the correlation between Christmas and 'pagan' festivals which occurred around December 17th through the 23rd. Hodge gives a very compelling argument that the origins of these Roman and Greek gods were actually the very descendants of Noah. These people lived for hundreds of years and would be looked at by their descendants (whom they were probably being outlived) as gods. I found it interesting that these "pagan" festivals were originated as celebrations of the long life of people in the Bible! As these celebrants distanced themselves from the one true God, their celebrations became more idolatrous and profane.

"The War on Christmas" is full of information that I didn't know or never thought about. At 144 pages "The War on Christmas" is short enough not to take up too much of your busy Christmas season, but powerful enough to really make the season matter.

As part of this blog tour, I was selected to talk more on Chapter 5 - When was Jesus Born?  There is a lot speculation about the exact time of Jesus' birth.  This chapter gets quite detailed about the Jewish calendar of the day and how different it is from our calendars today.  Many people get in an uproar about "when" Jesus was born.  Was it in December, when we traditionally celebrate Christmas?  Was it in the spring time?  This chapter even references other passages of Scripture that may point to Jesus actually being born in spring.  If this is so, then why do we celebrate Christmas in December?  Many believe it's to off-set the pagan festivals that occurred at that same time of year.  I have even sat through numerous theology classes that have tried to settle the debate as to "When Jesus Was Born".  Here are my feelings on the subject, whether you agree with me or not, well, that's totally up to you.

I love focusing on the birth of Jesus. Without His birth there would be no death. He came to save us. He came to die in our place for our sins on an old rugged cross. Without both, birth and death, the penalty of our sins could not be paid.  I celebrate His birth and the way in which God chose to rescue us. God came, not as a warring King but as an innocent baby. The hope of the world came to us wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger. The sinless One came to the sinful because though we did not love Him, He loved us anyway.

By focusing on what His birth and death truly mean, it really doesn't matter "when" He was born.  I simply thank God that He was born.  The fact that we celebrate December 25th, a very cold time of the year, it warms us, inside, to celebrate the One who saved us.  So maybe we celebrate Christmas, Christ's birth, on one special day of the year, we should live a lifestyle of Christmas every day.

The following link will help you find out more about the "War on Christmas" book and other stops along the book blog tour:   waronchristmasblogtour

You can watch the book trailer by following this link:  War On Christmas book trailer

I wish each of you a Very Merry Christmas. Enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.