596: The Surprising Origins of Christmas in America with W. David O. Taylor

If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do most Christians celebrate Christmas at home with their families rather than at church? David Taylor, a professor of culture and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, joins Skye to discuss the origins of Christmas in America. He says Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Coca-Cola have done more to influence how we celebrate the birth of Jesus than gospel writers. And he explains why the Puritans who first settled in America believed Christmas was satanic. Speaking of Satan, we have an update on the Satanic Temple display in the Iowa State Capital. The Texas Supreme Court made a controversial, and confusing, ruling about abortion. And what happens when Americans say they’re more religious but they are less likely to engage in religious practices like attending a church?

 

Holy Post Plus
Getting Schooled - Saint Nicholas

https://www.patreon.com/posts/94956592

 

0:00 - Intro

 

1:29 - Show starts

 

3:57 - Theme Song

 

4:18 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to download your family refugee guide and learn more about the Path Community

 

5:37 - Live Show Recap

 

11:14 - Satanic Statue Decapitated

 

22:01 - Texas Abortion Case

 

44:09 - Republican and Democrat attitudes towards Religion

 

56:33 - Sponsor - Get 35% off your first order of Sundays. Go to www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 

 

57:44 - Sponsor - Magic Spoon - Go to www.magicspoon.com/HOLYPOST and use code HOLYPOST to get $5 off

 

59:23 - Interview Intro

 

1:05:28 - The Puritan’s impact on Christmas

 

1:09:18 - Queen Victoria’s  impact on Christmas

 

1:17:23 - Charles Dickens impact on Christmas

 

1:26:44 - Christmas in America Today

 

1:35:36 - End Credits

Links mentioned in news segment:

 

Satanic Temple says part of display in Iowa Capitol 'destroyed beyond repair'

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2023/12/14/satanic-temple-reports-vandalism-of-its-display-in-iowa-capitol/71925404007/

 

Religion as a Cultural and Political Identity

https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/religion-as-a-cultural-and-political

 

5 things to know about the latest abortion case in Texas

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/13/1218953788/texas-abortion-ban-supreme-court-kate-cox

Other resources:

 

https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/

 

THE LIGHT HAS COME: PRAYER CARDS FOR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY

https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/the-light-has-come-prayer-cards-for-advent-christmas-and-epiphany?variant=39467432378455

 

Daily Advent Devotionals by David Taylor

https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/blog/daily-advent-devotionals

 

Why Putting Christ Back in Christmas Is Not Enough

https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2018/december/putting-christ-back-in-christmas-not-enough-nativity-americ.html

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

 

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

 

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

 

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.